Hi Madam,
I have read your case very carefully and I have the following suggestions.
First of all, even in business communications, we have to check our words with the female members. As in your case, Mr. Norman pointed to Helen, how she managed everything in her family even after the birth of the baby.
If every section of the company faces declines in sales, then it is totally wrong on the part of Mr. Norman to discuss individually with Helen.
Mr. Norman should not have asked personal questions if his meeting was business rather than friendly.
Last but the most important point that I want to add in my discussions is that there is a major role of the HR department and management. If Helen is contributing and has contributed in the past, then it is the foremost duty of the HR department to address the issue of leaves. It is a new HR initiative in the field of HR to provide crèches for babies of women employees so that the companies may not suffer due to the leaves of the employees, and companies could retain the employees for a long period. Nowadays, all attention should be paid to the performance of the employees and retaining them for a long time.
With Regards,
Kapil Kaushal
India
kapilkaushaal@yahoo.co.in
9198151757251