Radhika Gupta, the CEO and MD of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, recently discussed the challenges women face in the workplace, particularly related to maternity leave. In a conversation with Shantanu Deshpande, the founder of Bombay Shaving Company, on his YouTube channel, The BarberShop, Gupta shared her experience and shed light on the topic.
During the discussion, Gupta revealed that she and her boss never explicitly discussed the duration of her maternity leave. Her boss, demonstrating trust and understanding, never asked about it. Gupta mentioned, “Six months is a big event, a pregnancy is a big event in the life of a woman personally, but six months is not a big event in a career,” quoting her boss’s perspective. He further emphasized that being a mother could enhance her leadership skills, likening it to completing an executive education program at Harvard University.
According to Gupta, the subject of maternity is often avoided in the workplace, remaining a backroom conversation. She highlighted the societal taboo around miscarriages, noting that many women may face this challenge privately. Gupta emphasized the nervousness many women experience about managing pregnancy and motherhood alongside work responsibilities.
Sharing the insights from the conversation, Gupta expressed her gratitude for the valuable advice she received from her boss. She encouraged discussions on motherhood and addressed the social stigma surrounding miscarriages. The discussion touched on the challenging aspects of becoming a mother, providing a perspective beyond the typical work-life balance question.
Gupta’s post on the topic garnered positive responses, with users expressing appreciation for her leadership perspective on motherhood. Many emphasized the importance of leaders addressing such topics, fostering a more supportive and understanding workplace culture.
