Should workplaces have childcare facilities?
YES
It is cost-effective and employee-friendly It will lure women employees back to the daily grind of deadlines, targets and challenges after their maternity leave. Many small and medium-sized organisations have concerns regarding the high cost associated with the move while the progressive ones believe that retention of women employees in the workplace far outweighs the cost factor. Misha Kalra, Delhi
YES
It makes offices inclusive As women are perpetually juggling different roles and responsibilities, both at home and workplace, giving them the facility of childcare in offices is a way of telling them they are valued as employees. Such initiatives make the offices more considerate and sensitive towards the needs of working mothers. Ashwini Joshi, Mumbai
YES
It will give women a choice It is tough to maintain a certain level of professionalism and work ethic with children in the office space. However, the provision for childcare facilities offers young, working mothers a choice—of having the child at work. Veni Ethiraj, Chennai
YES
It can lead to a stress-free environment Often when women rejoin work after maternity leave, they are worried about the infant left at home. Childcare cabins ensure working mothers’ undivided attention at work besides solving the problem of having a nanny with the child. Such an initiative can also help other employees in the office remain stress-free by having a child to play with at work. Mohit Saroha, Gurgaon
YES
It will help women jump from work to home
The idea of having creche in offices seems to integrate professional women with their full-time role of being a mother. It is time our biased conception of childcare changes to be more inclusive of men and becomes responsive to working professional realities. Shreya Tiwari, Delhi