SMFG India Credit Launches Auto-Approved Paid Menstrual Leave

SMFG India Credit (SMICC), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), announced a significant stride in its employee welfare policies with the introduction of a Paid Menstrual Leave Policy for all its women employees, effective December 2, 2025.

This proactive nationwide initiative positions the financial services firm at the forefront of corporate commitment to employee well-being.

It also champions gender inclusion in India.

SMFG India Credit Policy Details: Trust and Dignity at the Core

SMICC will grant one paid menstrual leave day per month to women employees across its pan-India offices under the newly implemented policy.

This is a key provision of the policy.

Crucially, the policy is designed to uphold employee dignity and minimize administrative friction.

The leave is auto-approved, requiring neither prior managerial approval nor the submission of a medical certificate.

The policy makes this single day of paid leave supplementary to all existing leave types available to employees, and the employee must utilize it within the month it is provisioned.

Ravi Narayanan, Managing Director and CEO of SMFG India Credit, emphasized the strategic importance of the move.

He commented that as modern organizations evolve, employee-centric policies become indispensable.

“We have proactively implemented menstrual leave across our pan-India offices to reinforce our focus on inclusion and the holistic well-being of women employees,” Ravi stated, framing it as part of a sustained effort to foster a workplace rooted in fairness and care.

Aligning with Evolving Labour Landscape

The announcement comes at a time when several states, such as Karnataka and Kerala, are showing increased impetus in introducing or strengthening menstrual leave provisions.

This is occurring within both the public and educational sectors.

By extending this benefit proactively to its employees nationwide, SMICC is setting a benchmark.

This is occurring within the traditionally conservative financial services sector.

Gaurav Terdal, Chief Human Resources Officer at SMICC, highlighted that the policy reflects a commitment to creating a compassionate and equitable workplace.

This environment is designed to respect diverse needs.

“We remain aligned with the evolving labour landscape in India and are proud to champion policies that strengthen trust, inclusion, and corporate responsibility,” Gaurav added.

Broader Commitment to Women’s Wellness

The Paid Menstrual Leave Policy is part of SMICC’s broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, named ‘Untagged’.

This initiative specifically targets women in the workplace.

This comprehensive commitment includes a range of women-centric wellness initiatives aimed at holistic support.

These programs feature creche facilities at Centres of Excellence, support for IVF treatments, OPD consultations, and comprehensive pregnancy care packages.

Furthermore, SMICC is investing in specialized development programmes for mid- and senior-level women leaders.

These are accompanied by organization-wide training aimed at challenging gender stereotypes and nurturing a culture of respect and equity.

SMFG India Credit operates across over 670 towns and 70,000 villages through 989 branches.

This network supports over 22,000 employees, demonstrating the wide reach of this progressive employee benefit.

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