Women employees of Acer India will get one day paid menstrual leave every month under its new ‘Matrika’ policy, the company said.

With the new leave policy, Acer India aims to support menstrual health without affecting standard leave entitlements, and bring in workplace equity and inclusivity.

Inspired by the Sanskrit word ‘Matrika,’ meaning the divine feminine, the policy is part of Acer’s broader commitment to employee well-being, it said.

“A workplace that truly supports its people goes beyond policies—it fosters understanding, respect, and real change. With the ‘Matrika’ menstrual leave policy, we are taking a step toward normalizing conversations around women’s health and well-being,” said Harish Kohli, president and managing director of Acer India.

Bhasker Bhandary, senior director–human resources, talked about the leave policy’s significance, saying, “At Acer India, we believe that true inclusivity goes beyond policies; it is about fostering a culture of empathy and support. With the ‘Matrika’ menstrual leave policy, we are taking a meaningful step toward acknowledging the health needs of our women employees while reinforcing workplace equity.”

Companies that offer period leave in India

Acer India is one of the growing number of companies in India that provides menstrual leaves to its women employees.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) recently introduced a one-day paid menstrual leave for its female employees.

Other companies offering similar policies include Zomato, which provides 10 days of paid menstrual leave annually, and Swiggy, which allows a two-day menstrual leave every month.

Gozoop, a Mumbai-based integrated marketing agency, became the first private company in India to implement period leave in 2017.

Several organizations across different sectors have introduced menstrual leave policies.

Bengaluru-based Horses Stable News offers two days of paid leave, along with a Rs250 allowance to support employees during menstruation.

Kerala’s Mathrubhumi media organization and New Delhi’s Wet and Dry hygiene products company also provide monthly menstrual leave.

Chennai-based Magzter allows one day of paid leave per month, while Hyderabad’s IndustryARC gives one or two days with an expectation of compensating for pending work. Surat-based iVIPANAN provides 12 days annually.

Period leaves in government offices

Beyond the corporate sector, some Indian states and courts have also adopted menstrual leave policies.

In 1992, Bihar became the first Indian state to offer a two-day menstrual leave policy. Meanwhile, Odisha implemented a one-day leave policy last year.

The Sikkim high court has also adopted a menstrual leave policy.