Equality! Do we really know what it is?

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What did it strike your mind when you read "Equality"? I'm being treated equally in my home, office and among my friends. We are in the modern era where woman are super empowered compared to our grandmothers. I'm equally paid or even paid higher than a male employee in my office. Gender equality has become a TABOO. Is it?

I still don't think we are being treated equally. I'll put you through few questions.

Who will be immediately recruited? a married woman or a married man?

How long is the maternity leave for women and how long is the paternity leave for men?

Can a woman expect a promotion when she returns to her work after her maternity break?

Did you get an answer to any of these questions?

In every organisation the paternity leave will be 5 to 7 days. But we talk for hours and hours on how men and women are responsible for taking care of the little one. How is that even possible when you expect the father to work at office and mother to stay at home for months which directly affects her career growth?

Women stay with the baby from the time of birth till 6 months to a year at the max. When I was on maternity period, the paid leave was just for 3 months. Thank goodness now it has been extended to 6 months. Why not the father be given 6 months of paternity leave? at least 3 months of leave which can be used once the mother resumes her work? Now both men and women will have equal leaves and share responsibility of the kid. 

Having this said, won't a woman be treated equally and get the promotion that she actually deserves? The only concern the manager would have is that the women will be absent for longer period while men will always be available for a longer term. Pregnancy itself is a stressful period for a woman. The policies and other non-supportive culture is further more stressful. Many women are more stressed fearing the career growth. Though the woman gives her heart and soul for the company, the organisation is not so supportive in handling the maternity and paternity policies. Every home now has a working woman and their contribution towards your organisation is "EQUAL" when compared to other employees. Then why is she being treated differently when she becomes a mother.

Why do you need a job once you have a child? Child must be your priority. Give up your passion. This will be the voice we would hear when we talk about this to someone who is biased. Answer to them is 'Of course! my child is my priority. In the raising economic standards of the society, it is necessary for both husband and wife to work in order to provide a decent life style for our kid' Do you wanna bet me on that? Working is not a choice anymore! Remember the GST! Leave the non-sensual talks aside...

What are we missing as a society? Who is responsible to provide a work friendly environment? I don't even see breastfeeding rooms in most of the office premises. I'm really impressed to see many women fighting to breastfeed their babies against all odds. Wonder moms, really!! Express breast milk, store and feed! Simple is it? You cannot imagine the pain and embarrassment due to engorged breast in office. It's a tough phase, let's be supportive. Fighting for equality shouldn't be just a phrase. Isn't this the time for Organisational HRs to redefine the policies and create a friendly culture for humans?

Sympathy is outdated! Let's empathize! 


Yours
Priya
Expecting a change!

Comments

  1. Anonymous23 January 2018 at 03:48

    Practical Fact is well expressed in words. I wish everyone could read this and start being 'Empathy'.

    Not to say with pride but to be frank(very practical indeed!)....One of my team members is on a maternity leave. Usually if anyone is serving notice period or on a long leave(medical / maternity), the culture is ....give them less rating so that others who are active in service would get the benefits forgetting what the person who is on leave done before they actually went on leave. But from my side, I did my part (expectations of 'Equality' ) what that person deserved ! :-)

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