Late in 2016, I was anxious and often fell prey to those nagging mood swings that accompany women during pregnancy. Besides being a mother of a 2-year-old, I was an aspirant Professional Engineer with a strong passion to work on the Production floor. Previously, I had trouble finding a job opportunity in the engineering field. So, when I gave my final interview at Nestlé Pakistan for a position of Team Leader, I was genuinely concerned that I will be passed over due to my pregnancy.
Despite everything, I received an offer from Nestlé Pakistan. My on-boarding was effectively planned, and I was able to manage my leaves as per my due date. Later my probationary period was also streamlined for these special circumstances.
Nestlé continued to nurture my role as a mother. I can nurse my son comfortably in separate nursing rooms and can visit my daughter during my breaks at the daycare facility in the Factory.
As a mother, there is nothing greater than the love I feel for my kids. At the same time, there is nothing greater that I can teach them than the value of hard work and setting an example to always follow their passion.
Fast forward to now, my son is turning 3 and daughter is turning 5. It is Nestlé’s progressive and empowering attitude towards retaining their female workforce that makes the company a truly worthwhile place to work. From the comprehensive maternity policy to supporting breastfeeding, every initiative has made my transition so much simpler.
I was pleased that Nestlé stood with its commitment to promote a diverse and inclusive environment.
Diversity and Inclusion are an integral part of Nestlé’s culture to promote a diverse workforce. The Nestlé Maternity Protection Policy is a comprehensive coverage granting all women a minimum of 6 months maternity leave. It extends beyond child birth and encourages women to breastfeed up to 2 years. Not only was I given the choice to extend my maternity leave, but I can also opt for flexible work arrangements when I need them.
Working mothers are expected to go through a thousand-meter-deep gorge of “social responsibilities” and do that too in stiletto. In all such situations, Nestlé Pakistan has been the ever-present helping hand by providing workplace diversity and environment that encourages equal opportunities for everyone.
In 2017, Nestlé Pakistan signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), signaling the support for gender equality and the guidance provided by the principles. WEP is a set of considerations to help businesses, like Nestlé, achieve key elements which are imperative to ensure gender equality at workplace. Nestlé Pakistan is commited for the advancement of gender equality to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5.