Dikhyaa Mohanty 
To help women workers during their periods, the Odisha government has offered an extra casual leave (CL) bonus. In addition to the 15 days of yearly vacation that women employees already receive, the new policy grants them an additional 12 days of casual leave, or one day every month. The official statement states that female employees under 55 will be eligible for this extended leave. Since each monthly leave is non-transferable, any unused time will expire at the end of the month and cannot be utilized again.
The March 2024 finance department memorandum that offered an extra 10 days of CL in addition to the standard 10 days of casual leave and 5 days of special casual leave has been replaced by this new clause. The Odisha government’s move, which aims to alleviate the physical discomfort associated with menstruation, indicates a rising realization of the need for supportive workplace regulations catering to female employees’ health and well-being.
