Many working women wish they had a nursery at their workplace, as it would allow them to keep their children under observation. Working women spend about eight hours away from home, leaving their young children at home with either a maid or nanny. However, since the mother is not around, the maid might not take proper care of the children. Some working mothers say that maids and nannies neglect young children because they know they are not old enough to tell their mothers about it. In addition, some children face health and psychological problems. Working mothers say they would feel more reassured if companies provided a nursery at the workplace. Amirah Bakr who has a two-year-old son said she believes having a nursery at the workplace would make working mothers more focused, as mothers tend to be worried when their children are left at home with a nanny. “I have changed many maids,” said Bakr. “My son always refuses when they try to feed him or play with him. Sometimes he does not eat until I get back home. Some maids pay no attention to my instructions, while I'm at work.” She added that the maid also uses the home phone for hours to speak with her friends. Once, she said, she could not get through to check on her child as the line was busy for over an hour. “If there was a nursery at the workplace, it would allow me to monitor my son. He would also feel safer because I would be nearby, and I would be able to work more comfortably and efficiently,” said Bakr. Nedaa Mahmoud, another female employee and mother of two, said that managers do not take them seriously when they ask for a nursery at the workplace. She added that many working mothers are forced to work due to the rising cost of living, which is why they must leave their babies with the maid for more than eight hours. Saudi Gazette contacted local companies in Jeddah. Two of them mentioned that no one has suggested that they set up a nursery at the workplace. One of the companies said it would be difficult to have a nursery, as it would be an added cost to the company. Another firm told Saudi Gazette that they ever think about it before, but that it might be a good idea, as working mothers always use children as an excuse to go home early or delay finishing work, especially if they have a newborn baby. Another company's HR manager rejected the idea. “It is not our responsibility. If a female employee were to ask for a nursery, I would ask her to quit her job and take care of her children. The company is not responsible for the personal lives of female employees. This is why our company prefers to hire single women to avoid these troubles.” __
