In accordance with the present disclosure a system for reducing polarization dependent loss (PDL) of an optical signal comprises a delay module coupled to one or more PDL inducing network elements of an optical network. The delay module is configured to time interleave a first polarization component with respect to a second polarization component of the optical signal. The time interleaving reduces interference caused by cross-talk components associated with the first and second polarization components and induced by the PDL of the PDL inducing elements.