The pandemic may not be over yet, but with COVID-19 cases dropping sharply, the world is opening up again. Shops, schools, markets, theaters are all resuming their pre-COVID schedule, as are workplaces. But this phase of returning to work is not going to be easy for moms.
Over the past two years, most working mothers have worn themselves out, juggling most of the household and childcare chores, as well as their jobs. As workplaces open up and new opportunities arise, many women will be eager to update their profiles and take on new challenges that will put them on the right path to higher leadership positions. in the future.
the to share according to a 2021 report, the number of women in leadership positions stood at 39%, and although it is 8% higher than the global average, it is far from equal to that of men. Additionally, the post-pandemic challenges facing women threaten to drive that number down, reenacting many of the hurdles women have overcome over decades to get here. The only way to increase this number is to ensure that women have a support system that helps them transition easily from COVID work norms to post-COVID work culture.
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Increased participation of women in leadership and the workforce will not only be good for us as a society, but also for the Indian economy. A World Bank report suggests that doubling the percentage of women in the labor force would boost India’s growth rate from 7.5% to 9% and raise the country’s GDP to $700 billion by 2025. If only the burden of childcare could be lifted off the shoulders of women, allowing them to better focus on their careers. However, many organizations are now focusing on providing childcare services to women, that too based on their convenience.
KLAY Preschools and Daycares promise to help organizations create family-friendly workplaces and offer flexible services that meet the varied needs of working mothers. With 95% women in its workforce, the organization emphasizes programming and content that promotes gender equality among children from their earliest years. It also offers close-to-home and work centers, as well as nanny and homeschooling programs that provide working moms and dads with many options, depending on their convenience and needs.
Laxmi Bolar Bhatt, freelance artist and parent who uses the organization’s services, says, “The pandemic has left a lot of parents worried and anxious for our little ones, although KLAY as a team has really led the way. As a parent, I was able to maintain a routine for Varenya, my daughter, and watch her adjust effortlessly to the new normal. KLAY made sure she lived every step of her school journey, even with their online schooling format, and appreciated having plenty to do after that. Because of this, her eventual transition to an offline school went smoothly. On the first day, seeing her teacher was her greatest happiness.
I can’t thank KLAY enough for being the wonderful guide he has been so far. I really have to mention the Shraddha teacher who is amazing in her job because when your child’s teacher looks at your child like you would, your children are sure to be in good hands.
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Speaking about the burden on women today, the need for women to return to the workplace and how the organization is facilitating the process, KLAY CEO AK Srikanth said, “This was an honor to lead KLAY Preschools and Daycare, which is one of the leaders. in the early childhood care and education sector in India. While the pandemic has been an eye opener for all of us, we have seen its effects on families and especially on women who juggled manage their daily tasks, their work and their children. KLAY is a proud partner of over 40,000 families where the mother or father has returned to work after having a child with the assurance that their child is being lovingly cared for by expert caregivers and educators and receiving the age-appropriate developmental skills in their critical lives. founding years. KLAY is also the preferred childcare partner of over 450 organizations enabling them to create family-friendly workplaces. We advocate for closing the gender gap, with both genders having equal opportunities to perform their duties at home and at work. »
Providing women with flexible childcare will encourage more women to return to work after maternity leave. This will not only help companies retain talented employees, but will also provide a stress-free work environment, which also emulates a sense of caring from the employer. The chances of retaining a workforce are higher in any organization where an employee feels supported. Additionally, corporate stakeholders are now willing to relax their childcare policies, creating a hybrid work culture where employees are more likely to find a work-life balance. Now seems like the perfect time for career-focused moms to get back to work.
This article was published in partnership with KLAY Schools.
