Cos turn sensitive...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Women seeking to return to the mainstream workforce often face daunting challenges, including a lack of opportunities and suitable roles that also offer more work-life balance. These concerns are being addressed.

“We provide ‘second career internship’ to women on a career break where they get an opportunity to work on a ‘live’ business project with approximately 500 hours of engagement on a flexi-time basis,” said Richa Tripathi, chief HR officer, Tata Teleservices. “Individuals are provided with project fees between `3 to 4 lakh.”

Godrej Group has initiated a “second careers” programme, which offers a chance to return to the workplace with aspirational and challenging business projects in various domains.

A study by the consulting firm Caliper has found women leaders to be stronger in interpersonal skills, and are more suited to today’s diverse workplace, where information is shared freely and collaboration is vital.

Sebi has now decided to impose penalties on errant firms who haven’t got at least one women on board. “Companies are struggling for prospective candidates because of the absence of consciousnesses to create women talent pipelines,” said Rekha Sethi, director-general, of the All India Management Association (AIMA), who recently joined the board of two leading Indian firms — Sun Pharma and Calcutta Electric Supply.