Released on: July 8, 2008, 10:50 pm

Press Release Author: John F. Welch Technology Centre

Industry: Electronics

Press Release Summary: "Restart is a program that focuses exclusively on hiring
women scientists and engineers who have taken a career break and now want to get
back to work."

Press Release Body: The John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC) in Bangalore, India,
is the largest of four GE global research centres around the world. Within its
expansive 50-acre campus, technology teams across different disciplines work on
cutting edge engineering and technology programs that help accelerate GE businesses.
In all, close to 3, 800 scientists and engineers work at this Centre. This
microcosm was chosen as the perfect place to roll out GE's new on-ramping program,
RESTART.
In May 2007, at a meeting with the GE Women's Network at JFWTC, K. Murali, the HR
leader for GE Global Research, discussed the challenges to getting back to work
after a career break that could be because of going the family way or any other
personal reason. This was the genesis of RESTART at GE - JFWTC , a program that
looks exclusively at hiring women technologists and engineers who have taken a
career break and now want to get back to work.
At the organizational level, GE - JFWTC listened and understood the needs of women
employees and made various changes - It created more awareness around its Flexible
Work Arrangement policies, introduced new maternity programs such as adding a "baby
on the way" parking at its site, offered post-maternity flex policies, built a
mother-to-be relaxation room and a lactation room for new mothers. GE\'s commitment
to working mothers has earned it a consistent spot for the last 2 years in the
Working Mother Magazine, USA.
RESTART is an important part of GE JFWTC\'s diversity initiatives, already supported
by examples of women technologists like Kshira Muthanna who took a 14-year hiatus
(simpler word) , raised her two daughters and earned a PhD. She joined GE 8 years
ago. After this long break, GE helped her to get back on track. As Kshira puts it
"When I was coming back I wanted to find my own identity and foster my passion. GE
realized that I had a long break, but they gave me all the support I needed to
succeed." Today Kshira is a successful Lab Manager leading the Material Systems
Technologies Lab at the center.
As an initiative that encourages women to maximize their potential , RESTART has
attracted close to 600 plus applications that is scrutinized by a dedicated
RESTART team that helps find the best fit for women hopeful of getting their
careers restarted.
Should you be interested in applying for RESTART or have a friend who fits a RESTART
profile , you may write in to:
restart.jfwtc@ge.com

More information on JFWTC, logo on to ge.com/jfwtc

About JFWTC:

The John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC), Bangalore, is General Electric\'s (GE)
first and largest integrated, multidisciplinary Research and Development Center
outside the US. JFWTC, the $120 million state-of-the-art facility is GE\'s hub for
technology, research and innovation. Scientists, researchers and engineers work in
virtual teams with their counterparts worldwide, in areas like Electromagnetic
Analytics, Composite Material Design, Color Technology, Additive Technology,
Non-Destructive Evaluation, Corrosion Technology, MEMS, Molecular Modeling, Power
Electronics, Analysis Technologies, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Engineering
Analysis.




Web Site: http://

Contact Details: Email: cynthia.ghose@interactiveavenues.com
John F. Welch Technology Centre
GE India Technology Centre Pvt. Ltd.
Plot #122, Export Promotion Industrial Park
Phase 2, Hoodi Village, Whitefield Road
Bangalore - 560 066, India
Fax : +91 (80) 2841 2111