Should I? Maybe I should. No way. We want to conquer both the worlds, and what’s so wrong in that. When a lady decides to start a family, why must she have to give up on a career she has built with hard work, grit and perseverance?
The debate about a women’s right in the workplace is not new, but what is new and exciting for many women out there is the changing approach of many corporations and business houses towards the whole concept of a ‘woman at work’.
Known for many firsts, Tata and Sons is the first corporation to rework and revolutionize its policies in regard to women. The management seems to have understood the struggles and the response is appraisable.
There cannot be a more fantastic piece of news for the working woman; it is music to our ears and we have decided to share bits and pieces from the document, in the hope that change is here for good!
The new policy has some well-thought out features. We are listing them down here.
New moms, to-be-moms can avail all these wonderful things, starting this month
?A major concern for women during maternity leave, and then early child care, is career progression. The company in its policy ensures that performance rating during maternity leave and flexible work will be based on the average of the previous two years' ratings or ratings for the ongoing year, whichever is higher. Maternity leave, flexible work, work from home — time spent on all will be considered as continuous service, and promotions will not be impacted.
It is a well-known fact that women’s careers are most likely to be impacted after child birth. Almost 48% women drop out of their jobs at this stage. If a company can intervene and offer to support a woman and help her in retaining her job, while ensuring that she manages to maintain her performance, half the battle is won.
6-month adoption leave
6-month surrogacy leave
Dads get to avail 3-month paternity leave
Care-giving leave: Once you complete five years at work, you could avail of a one-year leave at half pay if you are a care-giver at home. Care giving includes care given to any family member who needs it. This one-year leave can be taken in instalments — maximum six times for a minimum of two months.
While the maternity policy of the Tata’s is already making waves, the company has various other interventions to support a women in managing her career and home, most of these initiatives are a part of Tata LEAD - under the Group Diversity and Inclusion initiative that was launched by chairman Cyrus P Mistry in March 2014.
This is the first time any company has taken a holistic approach and executed a policy that looks at women the way they should. Take a bow, Tata Sons, for you have done something for the daughters and mothers, no one before you has ever thought of!
We truly hope that besides the 115,000 women who work with Tata Sons and the 230,000 that they plan to reach by 2020, more and more of our clan get these kind of much-needed benefits.
Dear job-givers and career-makers, if you wish to join a good movement, then this Tata Sons women-friendly movement should win hands down.
Please follow them, love them, join them not just in intent but also in action.
And be the real hero to us, the Indian SHEROES.