When Women Work

It is not about stereotypes here, but women with children do faced challenged when off to work; after all, the children do need to be taken care of. Should companies have a role to play here? Yes, say working mothers – and this opinion resonates globally across countries and societies including India, USA and Malaysia. Here are some opinions - would you have any to share?

I would like a day care centre for working mothers within office premises. By the way, this is mandatory for all companies in India according to the labour laws, but no one seems to be adhering to it. - Shweta Kapoor, Sapient, South Korea

DAYCARE!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the one things needs changing in companies. In the US it is ridiculously expensive and not always available. - Soledad Quiroz, Graduate Student at Michigan State University, USA

I would say the biggest issue overall at work is the ability to take care for one’s family while working. Overwhelmingly, women are still in charge of childcare and family health issues - while we may work as many hours as men do, and often maintain the lion’s share of domestic chores as well, when a child gets sick, or daycare arrangements fall through, it’s almost always left up to the woman to handle it, even if it means risking her job. And there are so few affordable, quality, flexible child care arrangements available, even in a ‘perfect world’ of a straight 9-5 job with a short commute, paid sick days, and no instances of needing to work late. For a woman whose work situation is not that ideal, child care can be a nightmare. (I used to regularly spend a third of my salary on child care!) - Sara Farina, Program Development Professional, USA

Daycare is needed for sure at work - I’d love to have lunch with my young ‘uns or stop for a play date mid afternoon – and will certainly feel less guilty about working longer hours if I could get some quality time with my kids during the day. - Kirsty Wertz, Direct Marketing Executive, USA

Definitely need day care center for kids in India….This will also make offices realize that both men and women not only need to make time for work but also need to make time for home . - Raunika Malhotra, Associate Consultant at ABG Inc., India

Day care can be a great idea indeed. Add to that more flexible hours, especially for women with kids, whether they are married or divorced or single or even widowed. - Salma Bakr, Master of Research Student, Egypt

In addition to day care, paternity leave for men should be given so women can still have the choice to work after childbirth – in traditional families it is anyway women who are expected to take care of the child, made more difficult as only women can get maternity leave. - Justine MJ Loh, Jewelry Designer & IT Professional, Malaysia

Women with children are more bothered about what must be happening to their kids at home, or when the kid is unwell, how he or she must be etc…Work from home during these times are best options, but not everybody offers that. And have crèche like facilities in offices. - Sonal Desai, India