A UK based company, Coexist, has reportedly introduced a ‘period leave’ policy in an attempt to synchronize work with women’s monthly cycle. The company insists on creating a healthier environment, where women are able to concentrate on their work sans any suffering. According to a report by The Independent, Bex Baxter, a director at Coexist said, “As a manager of staff, I have seen women really suffer with their periods and I have found them doubled over in a lot of pain. They feel guilty and ashamed for taking time off and often sit at their desks in silence not wanting to acknowledge it. It started from there and we thought we had to see what we could do about it and try and break the last great taboo. Nothing like this has been done in the UK before, we believe, and if it has, it has been very small."Well, Coexist might be the first one in UK to come up with this policy, but when we take a closer look back home, Bihar government has been following this policy in several departments from the past two decades. As per their Human Resource guidelines available online, ‘All women staff is eligible to avail two days of special leave every month because of biological reason. This is in addition to all the other eligible leaves.’ However, the main question to ponder upon here is not why Bihar government has this policy and not other Indian states, but it is whether or not women actually need a ‘period leave’? And who better than women could have answered this question, so we spoke to some of the women professionals to know their opinion and here’s what they say:“Well, most certainly, there is some level of discomfort when a woman is menstruating, but personally, I wouldn’t like to avail this leave as then it.” - Richa Sharma, a 34-year-old, Media ProfessionalI’m strictly against ‘period leave’ policy. Though, I agree that some women may have excruciating pain during menstruation, but in that case, women should be able to provide a medical certificate.Such rules were made so that women could get some rest during their periods, but this has only contributed to the stigmatization of women. If you would give women a blanket approval, then this might lead to some of them taking undue advantage, hence." – Vinita Dawra Nangia, Columnist and Associate Editor, The Times of Indiaand debate about women getting an active place in combats, and now we are advocating leave for period. It's such a big. We don’t need such leaves.” - Ritika Bahl, a 32-year-old, Journalist“I believe that this would again put women under the, which certainly is not good, especially when we talk about ‘women empowerment’ Also, this may lead to someof this policy.” - Vartika Verma, a 28-year-old, Advertising Professional“The fact that this discussion crops up, shows how little we understandand its core to promote. Menstruation has nothing to do with the power to cloud work productivity. By applying for such a leave, are we not doing just the opposite? We talk of breaking glass ceilings and then add some more by such restrictive opinions ourselves. Yes, a lot of them would say you cannot equate a man and a woman during "those days," but the truth is- the very fact that tells me that if I am unable to do a physical surveillance (I am a security professional and a corporate investigator), I will make alternate arrangements (this is akin to a man who can suffer a migraine attack doing rounds in sun) - instead of me portraying to the corporate world that I am not good enough, write me off for those two days. - Sagarika Chakraborty, CEO, IIRISIn my opinion, ‘period leave’ is not required. We, as women are much stronger.. - Neha Bahl, Media & Brand Communication Expert“So, now the whole world should know when I am going through that phase? I have been a full-time working woman for seventeen years and never felt the need for such a privilege. I agree that periods are a discomfort, but still we are not bedridden during those days. No leave, girls. Let's maintain our equality status.” - Alka Kaushik, Travel Journalist & BloggerThe above applause-worthy responses certainly show that Indian women are breaking the shackles and not letting the stigmas surrounding menstruation affect them; yet, we cannot turn a blind eye to the ones who really feel the pinch of nature’s cycle…and most of the times, I end up taking leaves when I’m menstruating. If there’s something urgent in the office, then I’ve to come to workand I’m barely able to concentrate.” - Sunaina Gupta, a 27-year-old, Banking Professional“I would certainly be at ease if companies adopt this policy as it becomes difficult for me to come to work during my periods. But what worries me is that,that I’m availing my ‘period leave’ and I’m not sure if I’ll be comfortable doing that.” - Tanya Kapoor, Human Resource Professional“It’s so uncomfortable going to work during periods as. I remember during my first week at work, I got my period and the cramps were so bad that I could not even stand and I desperately wanted to get back home.” - Shanaya Singh, a 21-year-old, Intern with a media houseI think it's a great idea if period leave is implemented world over. It may spark a divided opinion, with some "strong" women opposing it but for. My relationship with period has always been a draining one, and when there is something that drains you out, nothing productive and constructive can come out from you. So it would be nice if someone understood what it feels like to be in pain for no fault of yours in the form of period leave. - Inam P Sarah, JournalistI think it should be optional. Sometimes the pain is too much to bear,I get major cramps during the first two days and. - Neha Anil Rajadhyaksha, Content CreatorWe can clearly see that there’s disparity in the viewpoint of women over period leave. Some feel that their male counterparts would have an edge if such leaves are introduced, portraying them as weaker sex, while others feel there’s nothing sexist about this idea. Supporting the women-in-pain, Dr Sonal Kumta, Gynecologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund says, “Some women truly have heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping, making it difficult for them to carry on with their daily activities.” In this case, companies can perhaps introduce some kind of flexibility for women such as giving them work from home option, adjusting their holidays to menstrual days or allowing them to compensate on weekends, in order to enable a stress-free environment at work.(Some names have been changed upon request)