The Casual Jibe
By: Audacious Women
Tags: Short Story, Creative Writing, Prose, Sexism, Working Moms

The Casual Jibe

A call for sisterhood at workplaces.

Illustration by Aditya Ranade

Radha had just returned to work from her maternity break. She was greeted to a warm welcome by her colleagues, friends, and her leaders. She was excited to be back at the job she passionately loved. As she settled down, a sense of despair crept in. She no longer was familiar with the current projects and terminologies people were talking about. She had missed on a few strategies and alignment changes and she sat remembering her initial years at the company when most of the things were Greek and Latin. She put the despair to rest and decided to buck up. Apart from her regular work, she made a mental note to meet a few people, e-mail the rest, and catch up on all the things she had missed. She wanted to be the same confident person she was before she went on a maternity break. She went on about her job and as the clock ticked past five in the evening, there was a sense of panic.

In India, the IT companies work beyond six in the evening, supporting their clients from the other parts of the world. It is the norm. Radha had always followed this and had worked well beyond eight in the evening. But now things had changed. She had a toddler waiting at home. Radha had left the home with the nanny’s strict warning that her shift would end at six in the evening. Radha’s parents had decided to pitch in their support by taking care of their grandchild from seven in the evening until she completed her work for the day. Hence she had requested, and the management had agreed for her to leave early and compensate by working for additional hours once she was at home. She didn’t want to be late the very first day; panicked, she packed her bag and stood up to leave.

She had just crossed her cubicle when the casual jibe was made “Oh you are done for the day!”. It didn’t stop. Another casual jibe: “Lucky you, is this your new routine?”. She frantically gave a sly smile and waved a bye and fled, not wanting to answer. On her way back home she was burdened with the jibes and she knew they were going to be thrown at her every other day.

Sounds familiar, ladies?

This is a typical work environment in most workplaces. The maternity breaks are considered to be the maximum adjustment an organization could make to accommodate its women employees. Organizations are definitely bringing about a change with better work from home policies, but the general mindset of people remains hostile to their women colleagues. Most of the jibes come from men who consider themselves doing a service to the organization by staying late at work. On important occasions when women make few arrangements back at home and stay late at work, another casual jibe is passed: “Oh! What a surprise you are still at work”. Casual jibes are passed time and again on all the choices she makes.

She is a negligent mother if she works beyond regular hours.

She is running away from her job if she leaves early.

She is less emotional when she chooses a movie with her colleagues over her being at home caring for her kid.

She is lucky or her boss supports her blindly if she is promoted just after her maternity break. (I guess the work she had delivered before maternity is dusted and forgotten by the bad mouths.)

Jibes, jibes, and more jibes.

The sad is part is when fellow women either take part in casual jibes or when they remain silent. Both are equally unacceptable. The need of the hour is a strong sisterhood.

Dear Women,

Let us stand by women like Radha and answer on behalf of her. Retort back to the colleagues for their despicable behavior. Casually jibe back on the existing patriarchy where the woman rushes back to care of her kid while for the man, things remain the same at his workplace, even after having a kid. Bring it to the notice of upper management to have sessions on being a mindful colleague. Lobby for strict policies at the workplace which provide a secure and inclusive environment for women.

Let us encourage Radha to hold her head high while leaving early and ensure that she takes pride in the way she balances her professional and personal life.

Dear Men,

If you cannot be an ally, the least you can do is keep your jibes stuffed down your throat.