Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 to offer menstrual leaves and WFH flexibility

Key facts

• Karnataka government has readied the Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 a first of its kind legislation on the subject.
• The proposed bill provides menstrual leave not only for working women in the formal sector but also for menstruating students in educational institutions, transgenders ASHAs, anganwadi, and midday meal personnel, and those working in mines.
• While the working women will get one day leave per month, the menstrual leave for students is capped at two days in a month and will be supported by a 2% relaxation in overall attendance requirements for menstruating students in schools, colleges and universities both government and private.
• As per the proposed bill, if the employee does not choose to avail of the leave, they will be entitled for work from home if the facility is available.
• Not mandating a doctor’s certificate, the leave can be availed through a request on e-mail.
• The Bill proposes to institute the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority to carry out purposes of the Bill.
• A penalty of upto ₹5,000 for each contravention of the provision has been proposed for those who deny menstrual leave, ill treat or discriminate against menstruating individuals.