You know, what I see most often around me. I see very well-qualified women, who once had flourishing careers all giving them up for the sake of raising children. Most times, it is not a voluntary choice but forced by circumstances. With the cruel working hours of Indian corporates and no help at home to look after a young baby, a mother more often than not quits working and takes a break. After a break of more than 2 or 3 years, your career goes downhill. Why does it feel like the choice is between having a career or having children? Why can’t a woman have both? And, why is the nation losing out on such a huge resource of capable, smart women unable to contribute?
I really feel that it is required for more Corporates to be sensitized to the needs of working mothers. Allow sabbaticals, be a little generous with leaves in the initial years of the child, have a creche as well as a day-care center for older kids at work, allow flexible timings and work-from-home options for some days in a week. Among these having a creche and another center for older kids could really help a lot. Why don’t all companies do that? It is way better to carry your child to your workplace than leave him with a nanny at home unsupervised or at some random day-care center. You can come see your baby two or three times in a day at your workplace, you are more relaxed and feel less guilty about leaving a small baby away from you. I remember that in my dad’s office (he worked in the Indian Civil Services with the Income Tax Department), they had a very nice creche even some 20 years back. My own mother-in-law was working and could raise her kids and keep a job because her public sector enterprise had a creche in those days. If the government can offer it then why is it so difficult for our private sector to provide this very basic of needs to their women workforce?
I think we need a culture of sensitivity in the way we work. Corporates and people need to realize that we are real human beings with feelings and responsibilities away from work. Corporates especially must be more fine-tuned to this aspect. Our families and quality of life do not need to suffer for the fact that we want to hold careers. If only, Corporates would be more aware and responsible!
As usual you write on topics close to my heart. I think the problem arises with the assumption that child care is the exclusive domain of the female. And maybe that is unfair on men. We should look at the issue from the point of view of PARENTS. Fathers also need to be provided with benefits and facilities which will enable them to care for their children. I have no idea about the corporate sector, but in the NGO sector where I work, paternity leave is granted. Not as much as maternity leave. But it is there nonetheless. Or there is always the shining example of Sweden. Check out this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/europe/10iht-sweden.html
Hi,
I thought many companies already had such provisions. Maybe, from what you say, it is only some companies that have this facility. Even I feel that both men and women should be given the option of working from home at least 3 days in a week from their home. If it can work abroad, why not here too?
Deepa has left a new comment on your post “Indian Corporates need to do more for their women …”:
As usual you write on topics close to my heart. I think the problem arises with the assumption that child care is the exclusive domain of the female. And maybe that is unfair on men. We should look at the issue from the point of view of PARENTS. Fathers also need to be provided with benefits and facilities which will enable them to care for their children. I have no idea about the corporate sector, but in the NGO sector where I work, paternity leave is granted. Not as much as maternity leave. But it is there nonetheless. Or there is always the shining example of Sweden. Check out this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/world/europe/10iht-sweden.html
@rama Yes, some companies have creches, some offer flexible timings too but very, very few. And, it would be all the better if even men can be included in this option. After all, in today’s nuclear families, a man does all he can to help his partner raise kids.
@Deepa I don’t know why your comment did not appear here, so I posted it. Yes, you are right, fathers can also be included in this ambit. Paternity leave of one week is granted in the private sector and maternity leave of around 3 months. But, what happens after that when the time comes to join back? The other measures would help parents to raise a family with minimal disruptions to their jobs. And, Nordic countries are a shining example of decent, compassionate policies. Thanks for the link!
Rachana you also posted a deleted comment like me, for me also the same thing happened with Raji’s comment. I also posted it like this only, looks our minds works alike. We can always prove to them that we can always think of ways to outwit them. I don’t know why it happens sometimes.
May be you have not read my post “Women Power’ http://www.indiaoftomorrow.blogspot.com
@rama yes, it happens sometimes. Really, don’t know why.
@BKChowla Yes, I remember reading that post. But, do you realize that for every woman achiever there are 9 who had to give up not due to lack of skill but circumstances. That is the point I am trying to make here.
valuable points buddy
This is what that has happened with me. When my son was born, didn’t want to leave him in a creche as the place I worked did not have any. Now after 3 years I do not know from where to start
You wanna men sensibilized with women reality? Well, you know how difficult it is! Look to your argument:
“why is the nation losing out on such a huge resource of capable, smart women unable to contribute?”
This is a money argument. It’s sort of like if you said ” hey guys! Give a break for us and when we come back we will produce a so great amount of money that you will drown in it.
You needs speak mans language to make them understand. This is what I call a masculine culture.
Here in Sao Paulo we need “make water germinate from the asphalt” to convince the mayor to build more public daycare centers.
I was happy to hear that government agencies in India has been relying on assistance to working mothers. At least in the public sector things are more democratic, as it has to be.
It’s something that has been happening since women became more independent.
I have no doubt it is something that will continue to grow!!
@Ramesh Thank you.
@bbsearchingself Exactly! Try to do something part time or maybe an interest or hobby which you could turn into a profession, the way I have done with writing. I am sure with innovation, you can work something out. All the best.
@david You are right, I am appealing to level-minded, intelligent men who I assume would have mothers, sisters, girlfriends or wives at home. It is not that they are completely cut off from the reality of all the female members. I appeal to the lawmakers in the interest of the nation as well as the women workforce out there. And, there are many women lawmakers in India too. You might be aware that our President is a lady, and so is the head of India’s largest party — the Congress. We have women in the highest echelons of organizations too, and I hope that they would pay some attention to this neglected area as well. As you optimistically said in the end and I agree that change is happening and will continue and grow. Touche to that day :).
since india is fast becoming a developed country, i think our corporates can think about providing such facilities that you mentioned to the employees.
@Tomz I hope so.
yeah i guess u r right, and i am sure some of the corporates in india who are affiliated to some company in europe do have to take these in consideration i think thats part of the contract..
i know cause a few clients or partners we have in india have to abide by the european ways .. now i am not sure if its just on paper or its actually done …
Bikram’s
Changes are overdue,going on at snail’s pace.It will pick up pace along with economic development.
In Germany, I know that a working woman is entitled to get leave for six months with full salary,and then another year on half salary,and can keep the job for another 18 months without salary.Such options are important for a working woman and would give her more choices.
@Bikramjit Some companies in India do offer certain facilities, but they are very few. We require this to be done on a larger level to have impact.
@dr. antony Exactly!
I could’t agree with you more! I for one, left a high flying career, relocated and chose a low profile job to be able to spend time with family. And I’m sort of dependent on my maid, who baby-sits my 2 year old!
@RGB Makes one wonder why we require to make so many sacrifices?
Congrats
@Sushant Thanks for visiting and for your comment.
how much benefit you give ur women employees. enough preaching grandmaa..
I find it amusing that you wish to abuse by hiding behind the garb of anonymous. Pity you! As per your question, we normally work with contractors who have the benefit of working from home and enjoying flexitiming.