The two major corporate houses of technology and social media have declared a benefit package for women employees which is the option of “Egg Freezing”. Apple and Facebook will pay about $20,000 per woman to freeze their eggs and store them.
Note: Egg freezing is a process in which a woman's eggs (oocytes) are extracted, frozen and stored. Later, when she is ready to become pregnant, the eggs can be defrosted, fertilized, and transferred to the uterus as embryos. (Reference: Wikipedia)
These organizations might believe that the key to success of a women employee to achieve their career goal is to delay their pregnancy and have an option to enjoy their motherhood later in life. But the message that these companies are sending out to the women employees is that “the only way to succeed in corporate life in America is not by having a family.
Moreover, this policy of egg freezing can make an American women employee feel that if they opt for a maternity in their mid career, the opportunity to climb up the ladder may be delayed or lost.
This policy may be a clear way of disengaging the women work force at Apple and Facebook.
For engaging the women employees, facilities like flexi timing, extended maternity leave, quality day care facility and kids at work policies should be promoted which will give them a better chance to manage their family and work life hand in hand, leading to a successful career.
Instead of paying a perk of $20000, if they pay the same amount to have a full-time baby nurse/care taker for the initial six months, women employees could continue a successful career track, enjoy their motherhood and at the same time feel the support from their organizations
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