Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government has issued a notification granting additional casual leave to female employees to accommodate the physical discomfort experienced during menstruation. Female employees are now entitled to one extra day off per month, in addition to the current allowance of 10 days of casual leave and 5 days of special casual leave.

According to the notification, women employees up to the age of 55 are eligible for this monthly leave benefit. Any unused menstrual leave will expire at the end of each month and cannot be carried forward.

This new provision is in addition to the existing 10 days of casual leave and 5 days of special casual leave.

The update supersedes the previous Finance Department Office Memorandum (No. 6466/F dated 12.03.2024), which permitted 10 days of additional casual leave. With this change, women employees can now access a total of 12 days of extra leave annually for menstrual health needs.