SMFG India Credit, in an official release, announced its paid menstrual leave policy for women employees across its offices in India. Under the newly launched policy, the company grants one paid day off each month without the need for managerial approval or medical documents.
Policy details
The leave must be used within the same month and comes in addition to existing leave structures. Company leaders say the step aims to support employees who may require time away during their menstrual cycle and to ensure work conditions that acknowledge everyday health needs.
Managing director and CEO Ravi Narayanan explained that the measure is part of wider efforts to create a working environment built on fairness and dignity. He added that changing expectations in workplaces across India are prompting firms to revisit how employee needs are handled.
Chief human resources officer Gaurav Terdal noted that employee well-being guides internal policy decisions, adding that the organisation intends to keep strengthening trust and inclusion as labour norms in the country continue to shift.
Push towards gender inclusion
The menstrual leave policy follows a set of programmes focused on women’s health and career growth. These include creche access, IVF assistance, outpatient support, and pregnancy care. The company also runs leadership development initiatives for women in mid and senior roles, along with awareness sessions designed to challenge gender stereotypes through its diversity platform, Untagged.
SMFG India Credit, a non-banking financial company owned by Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, has a wide footprint across towns and villages and serves retail and small business borrowers through a range of loan products. It provides a range of lending products to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and the micro-segment. The company offers services like personal loans, business loans, home loans, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler loans, and loans against property.