Work Life Balance

About 6 years ago, my hubby took up a job in Pune & we moved bag & baggage here leaving the comfort of our settled lives & job in Gurgaon. We based our decision on moving to Pune on the assumption and assurance too from my employer (at that time) that I would be absorbed in the Pune workforce quite easily.

What I didn't expect or know was that those assumptions & assurances would not fulfil. I did not foresee that not just my ex-employer but any company in my sector would not be willing to take me on. Well this brings me to share with you readers that I'm a Fashion Buyer having worked with some very reputed names in the Retail industry. My job is primarily done in a HO as buying for any retail set-up in central and not regional.

Buying a profile in a retail set-up requires 50-70% of traveling, 20-30% market study & review store performances & remaining time behind a desk. I don't remember when together for 15 days I sat and did 9 am - 6 pm job. I didn't. Days/ weeks were always filled with market visit, budget review, production issues etc so when while being in office in a HO I am not sitting in office for regular work hours then why can not same profile be applicable to me on off-site?

With extreme tech advancement & sophistication, it is easy to share desktops & data. Then why not work-from-home? I am repeatdely told that if I decide to move to Gurgaon, Mumbai or Bangalore then I should contact respective companies because that's where the hub of retail offices are.

Today even if I move to these cities, I wouldn't like to work full-time, I have 2 kids at home, I would like to strive a work-life balance for myself & for them. My denying me a right to work, are the companies not denying themself a talent. It's not just my loss, it's their loss as well.

This post has been brought about by a recent article about Yahoo CEO asking all her employees to be back to office - no work from home or flexi hours or part-time. She feels that most fruitful meetings & decisions happen during coffee breaks/ cafeteria gossip.

Being designated behind office desk, is old world & takes away a lot from a employee. It is a proven with various studies that flexi-hours, give them work-life balance, better productivity, etc etc.

I am not the only woman feeling the brunt of it, there are aplenty & the companies are loosing such fabulous work force because of redundant policies. I wish they would re-look at their HR & people policies and make work more enjoyable.

When the going gets tough

I had great plans for this blog when I started it last week, but since then He gave me quite a handful of tasks keeping me on my toes - laptop crash, kids unwell together, lack of sleep, extra work to nourish them back, house hunt - which I hope is for buying & not ends up in renting, I can go on & on... But I'm not here to bore you with this, atleast not in the first post. :)

Sometimes it feels that I don't live for me since marriage, there is always someone else to look after, cook for, take care of... Those carefree days of knowing you don't have a responsibility seems a distant past. Do I miss it? Yes I do! Even one day of not living for others totally rejuventaes you and give you the strength to fight on.

When things becomes too overwhelming, I hope (beyond hope) to be able to live those days again! Is it wishful thinking I don't know or care but yes, it does gives me a boost when the going gets tough - I get going!

Do you sometimes feel the same? Share and relieve yourself of some worries. :)

Dal Makhani

This is not a new dish or a recipe development! But for me, every time I make Dal Makhani, it is when I am missing home especially being in the region I grew up in. I am out & out North Indian & love my Paranthas, Pakoras, Sarson ka Saag, Palak Paneer & Dal Makhani with Naan. I have tried the bestest of best restaurants... Read More