Bengaluru woman quits Microsoft job to take care of baby: No regrets, career break was right choice

Kruthika Jayatheertha plans to return to professional work around April, and Microsoft continues to be her first preference. 'I liked the company, enjoyed my time, and felt the culture was a good fit,' she said. (File photo)

A Bengaluru woman who resigned from her Microsoft role last year to take an extended career break after the birth of her first child has said that although she enjoyed working with the tech giant, her daughter needed her more. Speaking to Business Insider, the former senior user experience researcher said that she knew the career break was the right choice.

"I've long known that whenever I had a child, I'd want to take this kind of break — a decision shaped by my studies of psychology, a field in which I earned a Ph.D," Kruthika Jayatheertha told the publication. "I believe the first three years of a child's life are crucial for their development — and that having a present mother with a strong emotional connection can significantly shape a child's mental health for life."

Kruthika welcomed her daughter in October 2024 and initially went on a six‑month paid maternity leave provided by Microsoft before deciding to quit. “Taking a career break is a deeply personal decision, but it was clear to me that stepping away from work was the right choice,” she said.

'It's a privilege to have been able to make this choice'

The former Microsoft employee also acknowledged that the decision was possible largely due to her family’s financial situation. Her husband continues to work as a consultant, and the couple had sufficient savings to allow her to pause her career without immediate financial pressure. The family employs a full‑time nanny, and Kruthika’s parents frequently visit to help with childcare.

The career pause, she said, has allowed her to be present for her daughter’s early milestones — from crawling and standing to her first tentative steps. "I've enjoyed the unhurried routines of feeding, bathtime, bedtime, and playtime that don't have to be squeezed in between meetings," Kruthika said.

She plans to take an 18‑month break before returning to professional work around April, and Microsoft continues to be her first preference. “I liked the company, enjoyed my time, and felt the culture was a good fit,” she said, adding that flexibility would remain her primary consideration.