Return of the mummy

Kavita Srivastav,an MBA,chose to become a homemaker despite holding an MBA certificate to look after the family. The fact that her husband held a well-paying job made the decision much easier. Today though the lady has taken up the job of a teacher at a renowned MBA coaching institute in Mumbai. “My husband recently switched companies and his pay packet was enough for a comfortable life for us. But this recession was not something we foresaw. Recently my worst fears came true and my husband lost his job. But thankfully because I had taken up this job just before this happened. Because of this we are able to run the family. We had even brought a flat here and paying the EMI would have been difficult if I hadn’t taken up a job.”

While Kavita is already facing the problem,Kirti Puran and Minal Narula,both software professionals,are the lucky ones who haven’t yet come face-to-face with the turmoil. But they are not taking any chances.

“I am seven-month pregnant and right from the beginning,my husband and I were planning a year’s leave for myself so that I can take care of the child. But given the current scenario (recession),I don’t want to lose my job. So no sabbatical for me and I have cut down my leave plan to four months. Basically,the idea is to avoid loss of pay,so I’ll be taking three months maternity leave and one month sick leave,” says Puran.

Seconding the opinion is Narula who is has a seven-month old baby. “Despite that I am not giving up my job because once gone,the chances of my getting a job are very bleak. So I have decided to stick to my current job. Later when times improve,may be I will take a break to take care of my child,who will need me more while growing up. Moreover,in today’s times it’s not very sensible to depend on just one source of income,” says Narula.

Commenting on the trend of housewives taking up job to support their husbands in tough time,Diwesh Diwakar,manager,Quadrangle (Naukri.com),says,“There has been considerable increase in number of female candidates registering themselves for requirement of job after the recession hit. However,the reason was not only recession,but also relocation after marriage. We also have ex-professionals,who may have lost touch with the industry after giving up their jobs,walking in to our office to get their resumes updated. The job scenario is though not very promising,yet the effort does not always goes in vain and we able to help them with some opportunities. However,their criterion is a secure job and not the figures on the pay slip.”

Rashmi Bundhel,branch head,Planet HR,says,“ There has been a significant increase in number of female candidates,who now want to support their family in tough times. Most of them are new mothers,who had quit their jobs to take care of their children. There are higly qualified,MBAs and other professionals among them.”