She Speaks is an original Shenomics’ series of dialogues between leading women from various disciplines on relevant issues pertaining to professional women in India. Disclaimer: All views contained in this article represent the individual’s personal views, and not those of any organization with which they might be affiliated.
According to the International Labor Organization, Indian women are leaving the workforce at a faster rate than any country in the world – Indian women comprised just 27% of the workforce in 2014 as compared to 37% in 2005. A big reason for women dropping out of the workforce, though not the only one, is breaks taken for motherhood. Keeping women in the workforce is imperative as it gives women a great sense of accomplishment, keeps them in the leadership pipeline, and helps the overall economy. But, how easy is it for women to come back into the workforce? And, is a career break career suicide for women?
Schonali Rebello, Content Manager at JobsForHer and Archana Patni, former Consultant with The Anita Borg Institute, both returning mothers, share their highs and lows of navigating the career jungle gym, in conversation with Shonali Advani.
How long of a career break did you take, and why?
Schonali: My career break was for 2 years after I became a new mum. I started out thinking that I’d become a full-time, stay-at-home mum. Until my son learned to walk, and then he literally walked away from me, every day. At least, that’s what it felt like. I no longer needed to carry him everywhere, or watch him all the time, or be there for him all the time. He walked into his own little life filled with new friendships and relationships with the world around him, and that inspired my journey back to the work I once loved.
Archana: I took a 2-year break as well to take care of my kids.
Do you think women can balance motherhood and a career?
Archana: Easing back to work is actually the key to saying you can manage both. It’s a precarious balance but it is possible. I have a supportive family and luckily no financial burdens, which makes things much easier. So, I’m okay with pay in any spectrum. When my younger daughter, Noor, was two years old, I joined this travel startup and I’ve never enjoyed working so much because it gave me a sense of such accomplishment in such a short span of time.
Schonali: I grew up with the example of a mother who always worked for other people and we are three siblings. She raised three kids and earned equal to my father. She also did the cooking, ferried us to classes etc. My husband’s family is a business family, so the mothers were always around. For me, the struggle has been to convince people that my child is not suffering. Children are more independent than we think they are. I only feel guilty if I’m not there for my quality time evenings with my son, after work.
How challenging was it to return?
Archana: In terms of challenges, I’ve been lucky with both the jobs I’ve had after a break. I work with the Anita Borg Institute, which is a work-from-home option and a gift from God. It enables me to contribute more. As a mother returning to work, I felt under confident. It’s difficult, when your confidence is at play, and you see your colleagues and peers have gone way ahead. They’ve managed everything so brilliantly – baby, high-paying job, and partying at night. I’ve not been able to manage all that. If you can work with your family to go around that and say it doesn’t matter what stage you come back at, you can build things up. That’s really the key to whether your career will be good or not.
Schonali:I’ve restarted thrice now, twice being in Canada. With a baby, it really slays you. The first three months cut your feet from under you, and as a control freak it was hard. That’s what plummets your confidence, basically.
I actually could not believe how easy it was to return after I did. My boss was so encouraging, so motivating, and had such a massive “You can do it, girl!” attitude, which she had infected her entire (then) tiny team with, that I felt like no time had passed at all during my phase of new mommyhood! Both her and my new team members were super supportive, helpful, and NICE to me, throughout my career restart. I felt like I could do anything I put my mind to, in this team. And so I have been lucky to do, since.
