Woman workforce post maternity

While we were having lunch during a training session, by chance the table on which I was eating was occupied by all young women. One of them was married and was dissuading her female colleagues to pursue a career post marriage citing these reasons-

 

• It is too difficult to manage so many fronts- home, work, spouse & kids, self etc. especially if there is no support system at home like a mother-in-law or mother or someone else to take on the responsibility at home.
• Men at work take them to be a threat.
• There are ego clashes at home.

She concluded saying that it will be better if men and women stick to their traditional roles.

None of us could digest what she said or agree with her fully. Nevertheless, a few ideas about corporate initiatives to retain woman workforce and help them maintain work life balance came to my mind after listening to her.

1.       Crèches & nurseries for toddlers and young kids- Some of the IT majors have already started these, and the concept is quite well accepted in developed countries where women have been working.

2.       Play schools.

3.       Schools for children of employees with transportation facilities.

4.       Flexi-hours, work from home facility – innovating systems & processes through which they can operate from their homes.   

5.    Refresher & up-gradation training for sharpening skills & enhancing knowledge post maternity break; nomination of such candidate for some similar course.

 

While women take all the responsibility of nurturing lives, let us as a society , as employing organizations take some steps towards supporting & encouraging them to grow holistically, while we also get to retain a good workforce who keeps her loyalties towards us.

 Please do think about this and share your ideas.

When in stress, tell yourself- this too shall pass

In today’s time, stress seems to be an inevitable part of life.  Be it work or relationships,  there are situations that are difficult and strenuous to deal with. Yet at times I wonder if we have formed a compulsive habit of being under stress or performing better under stress. Maybe yes. Having said that, we can not close our eyes to the ill effects of stress on our body, mind and entire life. It not just a cause of many fatal diseases, but is also antithesis to the very purpose of our being- being happy. Is the purpose of life not to be happy? Yes, it is in all respects, what use is the wealth, fame and achievement if one is not happy. But how does one do this? Be happy despite all tension and volatility in work & people’s moods? Yes, it is possible and doable.

We just need to remember and practice two things-

1.Tell yourself that this too shall pass. No matter how difficult the situation be, it is difficult only for the time being; and it has come to you because you are the one who can handle it well. Even if the whole world including yourself has a doubt on your ability, someone up there has full faith in you and will work with you if you hold on to Him with utmost faith that in the end all will be well for you.

2. Strengthen just one relationship- the relationship with Almighty. If this one relationship is strong, rest all relationships and things will fall in place. And for this again, patience and faith are the key words. Let no problem daunt your relationship with God.  Share with Him every minutest thought and pray earnestly not just for resolving your hardships but for His grace. Come what may make sure this relationship is serenely unscathed.

Stay happy, be stressfree:)

Leadership & Parenting

The parents of a thirteen year old school girl came to know of their intimate relationship with a boy which was going on since one year. The girl was not performing well at studies as well. The school authorities referred her along-with her parents to a practicing psychologist. After having a few sessions with the girl and her parents, the psychologist said that there is no problem with the girl and she does not require counselling; the problem was with the parents and they needed counselling. The parents labelled the psychologist as a fraud one and did not go to her again.

The actual problem was that the parents of the girl did not share a good relationship with each other and had serious fights frequently. The girl grew up in such a stressful atmosphere and got attracted to the love showed by a stranger in whatsoever manner. She lied to the parents quite often because she was scared of them and their non-acceptance.

The point that I am trying to bring is that like good parenting, good leadership also certain basic requirements:

1. Being a good role model- If the parents or leaders say something else and do something else it will not leave any impact and no one will follow such parents or leaders.

2. Trust & Acceptance - Unless we have complete trust in someone, we will not share our innermost feelings and thoughts. And when we do not share these there is a communication gap leading to repeated errors which can be disastrous at times. People speak untruth because they do not have the trust that the truth will be accepted.

Acceptance of the other person's failures and flaws leads to his complete trust in us. No one is perfect, a parent/ leader has to give an environment and required resources including emotional / mental security to his child/ follower to reach excellence.

3. Empowerment- When every person in a family or an organization feels empowered in his domain, he will give only his best with full commitment and integrity.

4. No comparison & criticism- When someone compares us with our siblings or colleagues making us feel inferior or criticises us saying that we do not know or we are absolutely wrong , we either get defensive against the person we are being compared with or get into a no action zone. However, healthy competition & constructive feedback are healthy since they do not make the other person feel inferior and are objective in nature.

Let's remember that relationships are to be nurtured perenially. The person in a senior position can make a big difference in making the relationship a stronger and happier one.

Please share your ideas and experiences.

Apologies for this long gap:) Have a wonderful week!