The Hindu Business Line : ‘Make work environment more inclusive for both sexes’

Ahmedabad, June 15 Paternity leave of 15 days should be made mandatory at all corporate houses, both public and private, according to the panelists at the Gender Resource Centre of the Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad).

The GEDI dialogue on Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity at IIM-A addressed issues surrounding CSR, social networking, women entrepreneurship, legal aspects, environment and gender responsive budgeting. While the group on recession and gender focused on the problems faced by women due to recession, (such as shortage of funds, etc) the group on work environment spoke of a more inclusive atmosphere for both men and women.

Today, paternity leave has become a necessity, maternity leave itself is yet to be made compulsory in several organisations, said Ms Jatinder Peters, General Manager (HR), ONGC Ltd. “We need a law to be implemented for maternity leave even in the private sector. Also, maternity sabbatical of say a year or so should be made mandatory in corporations as it is in the West,” he said.

Reducing stress

While the group agreed that a dress code should not be extremely restrictive, they were firm on having a “sense of dressing” or decorum while in the office. A day care centre should be made compulsory in all organisations as it would make women more confident and stress free, especially if she has just given birth, said Ms K. Sri Gayathredevi, Knowledge Facilitator, PSG Institute of Management Coimbatore, citing her own example.

While flexi timings should be introduced at work places, Mr Ashok Bhatia of Zydus Cadilla was wary of people staying on for late hours in the office. “Rather than sitting up in office till late, emphasis should be given on increasing productivity during office hours and not wasting time,” he said. Mr Bhatia said he had no qualms in giving an important portfolio to a woman to handle but he felt it was problematic to give certain assignments such as sales and industrial relations to her, which included travelling.

Image change

Earlier, Ms Mallika Sarabhai, Activist, questioned the audience, 80 per cent of which comprised female participants, whether they were ready to shed the “baby doll” image and to “change the stepney of their cars”.

“Honestly, how many of us here in the audience are ready to break out of the assembly line of gender, of aspiring to educate our daughters then getting them married with a handsome dowry and a proper reception etc etc? Gender equity can only come preceded by a holistic change in mind set and readiness to break the shackles of societal prejudices,” she said.

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