“Women’s retention in the workforce and the longevity of women’s careers is an issue we confront at almost every level and in every sector of the Indian economy.” Sumit Mitra, Head – Group HR and Corporate Services, Godrej Industries Group
“Women who step away from their careers for caregiving or personal reasons deserve a fair chance to re-enter the workforce without bias or barriers.” Parmesh Shahani, Head, Godrej DEI Lab
“The data leaves no room for doubt—welcoming back experienced women professionals is not just a gesture of inclusion but a strategic advantage for businesses. These women bring fresh perspectives, unmatched resilience, and a hunger to contribute.” Dr. Ashwini Deshpande, Professor and Head of the Department of Economics and Academic Director at CEDA, Ashoka University
Godrej Industries Group’s DEI Lab, in collaboration with the Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA), Ashoka University recently launched ‘The Returnship Road’, a new report highlighting solutions to persistent challenges faced by women seeking to re-enter the workforce after career breaks. Authored by the CEDA team led by renowned economist Dr. Ashwini Deshpande, the report was launched during an event hosted by Godrej DEI Lab to celebrate Women at Work.
Speaking on the occasion, Sumit Mitra, Head – Group HR and Corporate Services, Godrej Industries Group, said, “Women’s retention in the workforce and the longevity of women’s careers is an issue we confront at almost every level and in every sector of the Indian economy. At the Godrej Industries Group, we strive to offer women the support they need at all stages of their lives to make the choice to return to work and to thrive when they do. Through our experiments with hiring programmes, ERGs, and policy support, across the different sectors we operate in, we hope to arrive at solutions and answers that we can share with the world. Our collaboration with CEDA, Ashoka University on building sustainable returnship programmes for women is a part of that quest.”
The report recommends actionable strategies for reintegrating professionals after career breaks, focusing on older, returnee women as a key recruitment priority. It highlights tailored training, mentorship, and real-world projects to address skill gaps and rebuild confidence. Organizations that implement strong onboarding, track success metrics, and foster inclusivity through strategic industry partnerships report measurable improvements in women’s retention, productivity and potential paths to leadership.
Parmesh Shahani, Head, Godrej DEI Lab, emphasized the importance of addressing these barriers, “Women who step away from their careers for caregiving or personal reasons deserve a fair chance to re-enter the workforce without bias or barriers. At the Godrej Industries Group, we are constantly making efforts to create pathways for talented women to rejoin the workforce with confidence and support. We have learned a lot from the companies who have participated in this report, and want to share it not just to highlight the problem but also to present a clear business case for change. Companies that embrace returnship programs are not only tapping into an invaluable pool of talent, but also driving lasting impact on workplace equity and diversity.”
Women taking career breaks often face several challenges returning to work and also receive fewer hiring callbacks than those with uninterrupted careers. Structured returnship programs offer tailored support, flexible options, and mentorship, helping women reintegrate while boosting workforce participation, loyalty, and productivity. These programs provide employers with a reliable, skilled talent pool.
Dr. Ashwini Deshpande, Professor and Head of the Department of Economics and Academic Director at CEDA, Ashoka University, added, “The data leaves no room for doubt—welcoming back experienced women professionals is not just a gesture of inclusion but a strategic advantage for businesses. These women bring fresh perspectives, unmatched resilience, and a hunger to contribute. By enabling their return, companies can build dynamic, high-performing teams that are more reflective of our society and better equipped to drive innovation and growth.”
The event also included a panel discussion on women’s returnship and retention in the workforce. Moderated by Roshni Iyer, Godrej DEI Lab, other panellists included Shrayana Bhattacharya, Economist, World Bank, and author of ‘Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh’ (2021), Kalyani Roy, Chief Technology Officer, Accenture, Sumit Mitra, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Godrej Industries Group, Nupur Garg, Founder, WinPe and Anupama Ratta, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Tata Power Renewable Energy echoed that returnship programs not only enhance gender diversity but also provide businesses with a proven strategy to access a reliable and mature talent pool. By integrating flexibility into these programs, companies can expand their talent pool, improve retention, and contribute to India’s economic and social progress.
