I speak out of my own personal experience. Often I have heard my husband, who works in an insurance company, claim that there are 'extra' hours to be put in, to complete backlog work. While it is important to show a sense of commitment to work, it is equally important to strike that work-life balance. I agree with the Government's move to make it a five-day week, which helps to bring the children out to the park and beach, where you can put your mind at ease. But if employers can follow suit, it would be better. While work is never finished in any circumstance, there has to be a proper HR policy in place to aid parents looking after young children to perform at work, and yet look after their children's needs. As much as we would like to see our company grow further in terms of size and profits, it is equally as important to see our families grow and our children's needs met.

This is a plea to all employers out there, that they have to realise that parenting is not a job to be done by one parent alone. It has to be jointly done by both parents. While work is important, I firmly believe that if employers do give their employees a chance to concentrate on their life and social development as well, productivity will increase and there will be fewer turnovers overall.

Maheswari Mohanavelu (Mrs)