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Break the Bias with Natasha Datta
Break the Bias with Natasha Datta

March 28, 2022

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a) Introduction

I am a strategic and innovative HR professional who effectively partners with the business to help translate their strategic objectives into people strategies, programs and initiatives. I graduated from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) with an MBA in HR. I have worked for 11+ years with leading companies such as Patni Computer Systems (Now CapGemini), Birlasoft, MaFoi Randstad . During this tenure, I had the opportunity to work on Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnering, Talent Management, Learning & Development, Employee Performance and Engagement and HR Operations from hire to retire.

In 2012, I took a maternity break for my first child. I restarted my career in 2021 after a 9-year break. You heard that right! That’s when I joined Accenture, initially on part-time and on contract, leading to full time employment.

 

 b) Tell us about how you restarted your career.

 When I first started thinking about returning to work, I had already been away for more than 5 years from the workplace. I had a lot of self-doubt on whether I would be able to cope, whether I would fit in, and whether my role as a mother would get affected. I found it difficult to find ‘work from home’ or part time options. With the pandemic, the whole world was forced to work from home and turned into a blessing for me. In 2021, I reached out to my friends and ex-colleagues to see if there could be any opportunities for me. Luckily, one of my friends from MBA days was glad to share my resume with Accenture’s hiring team. I went through multiple rounds of interviews and to my pleasant surprise and happiness I got selected. Accenture offered me a role in their hiring team, as a contractor with a 4.5 hour work day while also allowing me to work from home. All my requirements ticked off and I really couldn’t believe my good fortune!

I had wanted a gradual transition back into my career, while continuing to balance my home commitments and give my son time to adjust to his mother disappearing into a room for the whole day. After working on a 4.5 hour schedule for few months, I was able to increase my working time to 6 hours per day and then eventually into a full time role. I believe that because of ‘Work from Home’ during the pandemic, children have begun to understand why their parents need to work and see the hard work for themselves - it definitely sets a good example.

 

 c) Did you face any bias when you got back to work and how did you #breakthebias?

 My superiors and in fact the entire team which I was part of, were very considerate and respectful of supporting my return to work after a long break and gave me a lot of support. It was because of this that I could do well and produce results very soon. I was given the space to learn the ropes once again with absolutely no pressure. Senior leaders would personally check on my comfort level at work, my progress every week and if I faced any challenges, they were quickly resolved.

Most of my stakeholders would be in complete disbelief when I would share that I had returned to work after a 9 year break, I must say I used to enjoy their reaction when I would tell them!

 

d) What were your reasons for going on a break?

 When I look back, I realize that one of the major factors for going on a break was the fact that the organization which I was working with had only a 3 month maternity leave policy, post which you had to return to work. Today, HR policies are far more evolved, but at that time, this was the best that the organization could offer. I would have liked to return to work after 2 years as I felt that those first years are the most important in a child’s life and that was really the time frame I had in mind for taking a break. I enjoyed doing so many activities with my son and still do, I didn’t want to always rush him for everything as I had to be elsewhere. We all sub consciously become like our parents and I too wanted to follow my mother’s example - though she was always working she ensured that she was home by the time we kids came back from school and I wanted to extend the same security to my son to reach out to me anytime.

 

 

e) During your time away how did you keep yourself updated with the latest skills and knowledge?

 I read a lot and kept in touch on how the business environment was changing in India and globally. I also kept abreast on the evolution of the HR function over the years, the growing investments in HR technology and its impact on Human Resources as a whole. I was particularly interested in how the pandemic had caused disruption in business and people management strategies.

Apart from that, I did some freelancing work with Consulting and Talent Acquisition firms. I also worked with my alma mater – SIMS as a visiting faculty and I am a panel member for their student selection process.

 

 

  f) What motivated you to restart your career?

 I had always wanted to get back into corporate life at an opportune moment, a big part of me was missing the intellectual stimulation of it all. It was important for me to use my skills, stay financially independent, have a clear purpose professionally and to be happy as an individual.

I do have a lot of hobbies and interests that would keep me quite busy, but I wanted to get back to where I felt I belonged.

 

 

g) Do you credit anyone for support on your restart journey?

 

I am grateful to Accenture for giving me this break and for having the option to work part time on contract - its very liberating to be able to decide on the number of  hours you would like to work. The leaders that I worked with gave me assignments that were in line with my strengths and I had colleagues who taught me so much on the job. What made this all work is their attitude and the space I was given to figure this whole thing out, without being made to feel out of place. When I need to log off for an hour to take care of my son, there are no questions asked. When I need to put off an assignment until after he goes to bed, everyone understands. And when I need an entire day off because he’s sick, my team asks how they can cover for me.

 

h) How had the restart helped you?

A decade ago if you stepped away from your career for any reason your return was uncertain or the compromise in role or salary was significant, but that is not the case now. Times are changing and women workforce is much more valued. For me, it also felt right to have given time to important phases in my life – bringing up my children, spending time with my parents and loved ones who needed me at various stages and then picking up my career I was ready. This restart has helped give me a clear direction professionally where I know that my contribution at the work place is significant and that has helped keep the faith in my abilities.

  1. Advice you want to give out to fellow restarters.

 Honestly, the second innings at work feels even better than the first - you are older, wiser and come back after a break with more energy than you ever had. Be open to working on whatever role that comes your way and then building on it.

Take the plunge, don’t feel guilty about how long the break was and reach out for help to friends, colleagues and leaders at work when needed. It is possible to have it all in life.

ds

Natasha Datta

Manager – Human Resources, Accenture


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