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I am a mother, and I leave office on time. Is that a problem?

Dubai - Good time management and open communication always helps.

It's 5pm, and she has left the office to pick her children from day care." Such statements are often made as left-handed comments and complaints at my work place by my colleagues who are don't have children.

Seeing a colleague leave habitually on time, one may progressively get spiteful. After all, isn't it easier to be nasty and comment brusquely at a co-worker for leaving office on time than concentrate on the work at hand?

Pregnancy and motherhood bring huge transformation in life. Every mother yearns to rush back and make up for the time spent away from the child. Parenthood entails a lot of juggling between responsibilities, reduced sleep, and lack of enough rest time. Most parents are therefore looking for some flexibility on the work front, and try to manage time well so as to not make any compromises to work or towards their children's schedules. Management of companies should be mindful of such things.

It would be terrible to restrict a parent from striking a balance with home responsibilities. We need more empathising policies at work places. Younger employees can only fathom the practical difficulties once they tread onto the child-rearing phase.

Good time management and open communication always helps. Parents who are working shouldn't get bogged down by comments if they have been leaving their workplace on time every day. It's okay to do that if you are organising your assignments. I have seen a lot of working parents gobbling their lunch in five minutes, or staying until late to finish work assignments. I think, communicate with your boss on what work can be done and what can be delegated is important. Or perhaps working parents should explore if work from home is an option.

- The writer is based in Dubai