Nobody said being a woman was easy and it sure isn’t as well. At times, I feel extremely terrified by the matters that life, or rather living a lifeentails. Maybe that’s because our lives are more or less like obstacle courses, and challenging ones at that. So, whether a woman or a man, there are battles each of us need to fight, that each of us need to win. Therefore, I think I stand corrected on my first statement because life really isn’t known to cherry pick troubles based on gender. Having said that, I do know the struggles women face. And let me tell you, it is very far from being a cakewalk.
Well, however turbulent or difficult this voyage seems, a talk with a friend always helps. Doesn’t it? In fact, sometimes solutions to some of the world’s most twisted problems come up during lighthearted discussions with friends. In fact, sometimes it also takes us on a path of introspection, both self and of the world outside. The latter happened yesterday.
While talking to a very close friend of mine, the topic of maternity leaves came up. She had actually taken a break after the birth of her son. Now after over 2 years going back to work is turning up to be quite a challenge. Why you ask? Well, prospective employers are really not known to be too kind on women who take a career break willingly, even for a reason such as childcare.
For many of you it might not seem like an issue worth pondering upon. But for women, more specifically women planning to have children it is actually a very, very pertinent issue. It think it’s unfair to sidestep a woman and not offer her opportunities when she decides to come back after a break due to motherhood. In fact, to anyone else as well for that matter.
What should matter is whether the person appears to be competent based in interviews. Don’t you think so? But the employers, at least in India, are not too kind when it comes to that. In fact, why only that? This aspect of going back to work comes later actually. Our companies are not even willing to have policies which help mothers-to-be. The base itself is wrong here.
Whether it is the lack of proper labor laws or just implementation or even something else, I don’t know. But what I do know is that the workforce needs to be sensitized on these topics, and pronto.
Just a few weeks back when a colleague of mine requested for extended ML because she couldn’t leave her 3 month old alone at home, do you know what she was told? Well, her manager asked her to keep the baby with her parents or in-laws or even the maid. I don’t think it was his place or right to suggest such things.
There have been instances when women have been called back to work before the stipulated 84 days of maternity leaves were even over. Yes, at times with veiled threats too. Some were told the company would process their separation papers if they didn’t join back immediately. It’s not fair and it’s not right. But I don’t understand why this issue is not taken up more seriously.
Well, I haven’t found any answers and frankly it just makes me nauseous, this apathy. All I want to do is shove something up the, you know what, of these employers, HRs and managers. I know I seem to immediately jump to offence but can’t help it. My blood boils at seeing how women are treated. How even a night month pregnant woman is asked to move from one department to the next for her leaves. It’s disgusting really, doesn’t speak highly at all of us as human beings.
Well, maybe you have some insights or some answers? If you do, I’d love to hear those.
And to every woman out there, you do know how strong you are, don’t you? As strong as isolated rock formations surrounded only by the sea for miles on end. So, hang in there and keep fighting. You are not alone sister!
Until next time.
Ciao.
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| © nabanitadhar.in |
Very true. Thus when Flipkart announced their new policy people are going crazy. But kudos to team Flipkart to have realised the importance of female work force and their decision to appreciate and recognize it.
That's bad! I know over here maternity leave is still not as good as in some of the Nordic countries but there is still paid mat leave for 6 months I think and then, you can continue to take leave without losing your position for a year as well as work mat leave hours (fewer days) until the child turns 5 years old.
That really is an unfair situation treating pregnant women as such. In Canada, I know it's a lot better, though it depends whom you work for and perhaps what part of the country. I think – guessing – it may be about a nine- or ten-month, perhaps more of a break before returning to work. 🙂 And I think it may be similar for fathers who wish to take paternal leave. <3
It is just terrible, Naba. I know this was one reason why I had to give up full-time work. And later when I did want to get up, that same position wasn't available. It was exhausting the work, the constant dropping and picking up of a small baby in daycare and household chores. It totally drove me nuts. I could not do it anymore and quit. The policies towards women or let's say parents aren't friendly at all. Even my husband has to work long hours. How would we have managed if I was working full time too? No one cares, really!
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Naba, as a matter of fact, the very first few words summed it all "Nobody said being a woman was easy" and I totally agree with you. I see my mother and wife doing their best for the family and I am sure there are such women in every family. Hats off for this wonderful post.
You know what I faced regarding this issue: well, women managers only dealing insensitively with women employees! One lady manager compared herself to me lecturing me how she went onsite leaving behind her 1 year old kid. She was advising me as if she was my mother-in-law at office. And the other tells my pregnant friend that she has to travel at any cost because she's running a business and not a charity!
This is really sad yet so true. A new mom already has so much to contend with at home. A tough work situation can very well drive her crazy. A little bit of sensitivity would go a long way in encouraging women to get back to work. Employers do not realise that they are losing precious members of their workforce. Yet they'll settle for a less than competent man rather than a smart woman.
It is indeed tough for young mothers. My friend who wanted to extend her ML of course without pay for 6 months was asked to leave. And when she wanted to start work again after a year and half, she had a tough time getting a new job despite being skilled and proficient in her work. In my case, the HR was considerate enough to give me flexi hours (I was handling an important project, then), I could come in early and leave early and it worked well for me, but my boss would find ways and means of delaying me. It was infuriating. read about Flipkart's ML policy. Hope other companies take cue too and make it easier and happier for young mothers at work!
This are the issues our PM ought to address, rather than promoting #selfiewithdaughter!
Yes. Sometimes I have seen cases when the stipulated leave period is not paid even when its the company policy. Nice work done Nabanita!
Well, tell me about it. For my elder one, I was forced to return when he was just 4 months and he stopped breastfeeding as a result. I have never forgiven myself for that though during that time, it was a necessity. I really wish, they companies have a policy to accept the mothers back to their jobs after maybe a year or even 18 months. Don't pay them, but keep the jobs.
Love your style of presenting your views!
Hope things change for the good. Right now there are hardly any companies that really care for all these.
Flipkart's maternity policy is like a breath of fresh air for India. Hope other companies follow suit and start to give more importance to building such policies for a more integrated women workforce in their organizations.
Legally, maternity has to be treated as a medical condition. But then our country doesn't go by the rule book. I still remember some male colleagues in my company laugh at me as my water broke in the middle of a meeting. Our men have been conditioned wrongly for so many decades that they simply have forgotten to respect the rights of another human being who happens to be a female. However much we cry about the progress made by the country, things haven't actually changed in certain areas.