Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Whether we like it or not, a career break for women implies that they may have home-front challenges when returning to work. In the world we live in, employers do worry about this part of the equation.
The other day, I was having a discussion with my husband about interviewing. We were discussing a couple of meetings I had lined up to discuss prospective roles. Full-time roles in fairly large organisations, at fairly senior designations. I was seeking to join back work after an eight-nine month break; a break I had taken primarily because I no longer wanted to do the role that my previous organisation was offering. It was a decision based on the fact that my long-term career prospects were not very exciting.
Of course breaks in a career are always questioned by prospective employers. So we were talking about what I would say about why I quit cold-turkey, without looking for another job as a replacement. I then admitted (out loud) something which I hadn’t before acknowledged fully to myself.
When a woman takes a break and says she did it to focus on her family, everyone nods their head in understanding. But somewhere at the back of their head, an alarm triggers. Is this a regular occurrence for her? How will she be able to manage again now? Will she look for a similar break again after a few years? It is understood, but it is loaded with “understanding” about what the woman’s priorities in life are.
Contrast this to a similar conversation with a man on the other end.
“Oh wow! You decided to take a step back from your career because of your kids? You’re setting such a wonderful example for dads everywhere. Here, take this inflated pay cheque and do join us.”
There’s no concern now about how will his kids manage if he joins back the workforce. No questions on how often he plans to do this over the course of his career. It is considered a sign of good character. A definite positive. This man knows what his family needs, and he does it.
Last year, arguably one of the most successful career ladies of our generation Indra Nooyi made the headlines for saying, “A woman can’t have it all.” My initial indignation (How can she say things like this? What kind of an example is she setting for aspiring women everywhere?!) has turned to acceptance. Whether we want to ignore the facts or choose to live with them, home and work are always a part of a woman’s life. The order in which she prioritises these may flip a few times over the years, but there is always a choice she makes. It’s a choice that she is expected to make, but a man isn’t.
So in my interviews that followed, I said that I’d taken a break to spend some time with my son. But I also made sure to tell them that he’d been going to a daycare since he was six-months-old and that I had provided for his care in my absence. Whether the question was implicit or not, I made sure my answer was obvious. I was choosing work as a priority now and would continue to do so.
In an ideal world, I shouldn’t have had to worry about what they will think when I say that I was with my son. In an ideal world, me showing up for the interview should have been a sign enough that I’m interested in the job.
In an ideal world, my life is balanced.
Image via Vecteezy
Nupur Netan Sachdeva, founder of the Practical Mum blog, writes about simplifying parenting for the hyper-connected mothers of today. She has been working the corridors of financial markets for more than a decade, and read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address