Prospects of Glass Ceilings N Cabins (Pun Intended)

By Waheeda Bi Khan

I apply, I respond, I listen,

In search for job or dignity?

I wonder!

Interview Interrogation --

Set A for males -

Driving licence? Both two and four-wheeler?

Count of family members?

Currently employed? Where?

Range of experience?

Salary/incentive expectations?  

Set B for females --

Set A + Additional query list

Can you commute?

Married or Single?

Single - Father’s profession?

Married - Husband’s profession?

Any kids? How many?

Relocated? Why? 

With whom will you stay?

Consolidation of etiquette --

Set B - Hmmnn strong resume, good experience

Good research publications profile

Whose help? Must have had some support?

No assistance? Are you sure?

Managed family and work balance? How? 

Anyway, we need good professional ethics

Punctuality is a must

Let’s put you on probation period, 

to see how you perform.

Unemployed --

Set A -- No job yet?

Poor boy/man - Keep trying.

Very bad times, 

Unemployment, a growing menace.

Set B -- No job? Try to understand

Even men do not get jobs easily.

Don’t lose heart, now-a-days,

They prefer experienced people.

You can enjoy time with family.

What? Salary not satisfactory?

But why? Your father/husband/son,

Earn in six figures; Right?

Criteria --

Set A - good experience

Dress code - formal

Skills & qualifications - eligible

Set B - Set A + professional background check

Confirm security - Pay scale of father/husband/son

Strict code madam (for educators). 

Why?

To differentiate students and faculty.

Oh! How to differentiate males?

Pause - You are a feminist Madam?

Next - No hijab or scarf. 

Why?

To avoid differentiation based on religion.

Who said?

Cough!! We just follow rules Madam.

Whose rules?

Madam, we avoid political issues.

Conclusion -- Mismatched

Women’s Day - eloquent boast of new prospects.

Of shattered glass ceilings. 

Reality - Shattered or just expanded into wider domains?

Dilemma of decision/choice -

Should I? 

Accept or Object or Reject

Remain professionally unemployed?

I wonder!

Set B - Default full-time job at home

Unpaid, categorised as unprofessional.

By Waheeda Bi Khan