Is maternity break a crime?

AHMEDABAD: Monika Srivastava, a banking professional, had taken a six month maternity break when her elder daughter was born. Once she returned to work, she felt less appreciated in spite of working hard and putting in the same working hours as before.
"I took up the matter with the branch and regional offices, but things came to a point when I was transferred.What was the option I had but to resign?" asked Srivastava to panelists at a P.inc seminar on 'What value do women bring to the workplace?' in the city on Wednesday.
"You have to keep a record of the work you do and present it to your boss or HR. Let people understand what you are going through and be a part of the change," said Neelam Kanwar, head corporate communication at Cadila Pharmaceuticals, who has taken two major career breaks herself, but returned stronger each time.
Kanwar and other panelists inspired and guided women going through a professional break at a seminar of Times Group's P.inc initiative. The seminar was held here at the Ahmedabad Management Association on Wednesday.
Panelists recounted their personal journeys and the battles they fought as professionals and moms, and elaborated on the need to change mindsets. They spoke at length on the challenges facing women once they return to work after a break, including working late nights, late evening meetings or travelling.
Inspiring more women to return to their workplace post motherhood, Asha Kaul, Professor-Communications at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, said, "No matter what, your children will always love you. Children ask many questions to their mother about food, weather and other things, but the only question they usually ask their father is 'where is mamma'."
P.inc aims to bring back women on a break through workshops, access to employers and seminars such as these. The seminar, moderated by P.inc editorial curator Bachi Karkaria, is the third of the Talking Tour lectures to be held in eight cities. "Most companies are not aware of women's strength mainly because the women are not clear about it themselves. Bring forth your talent," said Malay Mahadevia, director of Adani Port and SEZ.
The participants asked several questions and suggestions on getting promotion after a maternity break, balancing work and life and some also inspired with their own interesting accounts of overcoming personal and professional hurdles.
For more information, log on to: www.pincstart.com