A bundle of joy or a bundle of trouble?

By Kathya De Silva

In the modern day and age, a woman's role has moved beyond borders and evolved from being mother or a wife to a more complex being, juggling home and work at one and the same time. It is more complex than for the modern day men, as women while continuing to carry out the traditional roles they are assigned, also face modern day challenges in the workplace. Men, except for those who are more liberal and forward thinking, have a largely insignificant role in the household as women take up responsibilities quite willingly. They take greater responsibility in looking after children, cooking, taking care of their households and even the aging parents. Even though a woman's role has thus evolved, due recognition is not being given.

Working mothers are squeezed between the devil and the deep blue sea as they rarely have the support of the workplace when it comes to family matters. This is especially true in the corporate world when women are heavily screened on their responsibilities at home before they are even recruited.

Money-making is the foremost in the agenda of corporate giants regardless of internationally recognised work policies that urge for equality and fair treatment. The International Labour Organization (ILO) considers gender equality as a key element in its vision of decent work for social and institutional change to bring about equity and growth. Yet, on many instances, Sri Lankan women who dream of joining the corporate sector find themselves heavily marginalized and discriminated against.

Making the decision to have a child is truly momentous. It brings joy to everyone when the decision is even announced. Yet, it is not in this same vein that many corporate giants query about such 'bundles of joy' at job interviews.

A married woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said that in almost all the interviews she faced, the interviewer queried about her plans to have a baby. She said this question was asked quite casually without any hesitation as if it is another one of those important questions regarding work experience and educational qualifications. According to the interviewer, being unmarried and having no children is another qualification for employment. The abominable truth is that they are untroubled by possible accusations of gender discrimination.

According to the ILO Employment Working Paper 2013 titled, 'Globalization, employment and gender in the open economy of Sri Lanka,' "women in employment in Sri Lanka mainly enjoy the same rights as men; legislation does not discriminate based on gender and in fact, there are many provisions which require women to be treated equally or which require women to have better or more access than men." Even Mahinda Chinthana: Future Vision envisions increasing women in the labour force from 34.3 to 40 percent by 2016. However, women face a grim reality when they seek for opportunities especially in the private sector.

In one incident, a job application of a woman who was highly qualified was rejected by a major company for the simple reason that she was married. She said she faced several interviews at the company which she successfully got through. However, when her application was sent to higher levels, the Managing Director himself spoke to her and explained that even though she was qualified for the job, they are unable to recruit her because there was a 'pregnancy threat' as she was recently married. He had further explained that when the time comes for her to go on maternity leave, they will have to fill her position temporarily. But once she returns, the temporary employee will go to courts if he or she is asked to resign.

He had told her that the company did not want to invite unnecessary trouble by recruiting her. Thus, when national policy frameworks clearly call for 'better access or more access than men', it is alarming that employers take such positions when it comes to female recruits.

The situation in the corporate sector for pregnant employees is far worse. In one incident, a woman who was pregnant had to give in her resignation on the grounds that she lied at the interview concealing her pregnancy to get the job. She told us that she did not mention her situation on personal grounds and when the employer found it out weeks later, she was asked to resign.

The question is, would she have got the job in the first place if she had indeed revealed her pregnancy at the interview? Then the argument is, for a woman, pregnancy is reason enough to be disqualified no matter the number of degrees she holds or the fact that other male employees may not be even half as skilled as she is.

In another incident, a pregnant employee in a leading private firm had to undergo constant harassment by her immediate supervisor when she revealed her situation. Instead of the traditional congratulations, she received a cold stare and was asked whether she planned to become pregnant during this time of year so that she could be relieved of the financial year- end workload next year. She was also told that no matter what her condition is she is required to meet all monthly targets.

The only difference between men and women in the workplace is that women continue their duties while creating little miracles in their bellies. Today's women do everything that men have done all along. But they have additional worries than men as men always had women, be it wife or mother, to look after all household duties while they are away at work. So, shouldn't this gain at least a little respect from the largely male-dominated corporate world? Without the support of the work environment, the stress that women undergo at work takes a toll on men, women, children and the basic social unit, the family. It will create a rippling effect on the entire society and nation at large as everyone will suffer when the basic family unit collapses.

Women's rights groups and trade unions must engage with the private sector to realise the goals of women's emancipation. It seems that the corporate sector is largely neglected by women's rights organisations as they focus mostly on government policies and implementation when the private sector has its own rules. It is also difficult for women to seek legal redress as the corporate sector is economically powerful and they consider it a futile exercise to engage in legal battles with them. Therefore, going back to grass root level, people must undergo an attitudinal change and practice inclusivity.

So, here's a 'project proposal' from expectant mothers to employers. The next time someone says they are to have a baby, do remove that frown from your face and say congratulations!