Should Working Parents Get Special Treatment?
I hate to get into more trouble over parents vs. non-parents topics, but I couldn’t resist pointing to this article: “Should Working Parents Get Special Treatment?” by Tory Johnson. The author picks up a touchy workplace subject.
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That reminded me of some previous Ninetyandnine articles. If you haven’t been following Leann Guzman’s Family/Work Issues Series, you should check it out. Leann (G.) has come to peace with her decision to be a working parent. Lee Ann (me) has new respect for parents facing these tough decisions after reading the series.
Workin' 5 to 9
And so with respect to parents, I agree with Tory Johnson. Johnson says that if parents do choose to work, they have to stick to their work commitment. The fact that they have children does not entitle them to continually duck out of work and shrug it off on non-parent co-workers, especially in today's workplace where it's normal to put in extra time frequently. The article points out:
Is there a way to win at balancing family and work? I don’t know, but I think involves just good old-fashioned respect. Hats off to the hard-working parents out there who hold up their end of the bargain at home and at work.
Our Expert
That reminded me of some previous Ninetyandnine articles. If you haven’t been following Leann Guzman’s Family/Work Issues Series, you should check it out. Leann (G.) has come to peace with her decision to be a working parent. Lee Ann (me) has new respect for parents facing these tough decisions after reading the series.
Workin' 5 to 9
And so with respect to parents, I agree with Tory Johnson. Johnson says that if parents do choose to work, they have to stick to their work commitment. The fact that they have children does not entitle them to continually duck out of work and shrug it off on non-parent co-workers, especially in today's workplace where it's normal to put in extra time frequently. The article points out:
Men and women without children expressed resentment for being expected to pick up the slack when a parent comes in late or leaves early to tend to their families. They said they believe it shows a lack of respect for their personal time. They're tired of the assumption that no kids means no life outside of work.
Is there a way to win at balancing family and work? I don’t know, but I think involves just good old-fashioned respect. Hats off to the hard-working parents out there who hold up their end of the bargain at home and at work.
posted by Lee Ann @ 10:32 AM
3 Comments:
At 10:21 PM,
Liz said…
I really can't weigh in on this work-related, as I don't have any kids, but I hear the same excuse for church activities
"I have X number of kids so I can't fulfill my previously made obligation to such and such an activity"
That statement right there? Makes my blood boil. People will do what they want to do, and to use their kids as an excuse to not do what they have committed to do is dispicable. I think inside of church and in the workplace, people need to be responsible and not commit to do something they can't handle.
Leann (the other one) has mentioned before in her series that sometimes she has to say no to even church activities to keep the work/home balance in order. That is admirable. It is hard to say no to church activities, especially because we want the church to be high on the priority list, but you just cannot do everything and still have a homelife.
There's my $.02. I've been thinking about this a long time. Great post!
At 4:31 AM,
shirleymc said…
I agree that one shouldn't make commitments they cannot keep, and I also agree that one's children should always take priority over outside activities. I have known moms who neglect their children's needs to be involved in church programs that involve a lot of time. Those children don't remain little for very long, and then you can be as involved as you wish. (Speaking from experience!)
And Lee Ann, I also agree that one should not use children as an excuse to not carry a work load. I do have a couple of comments, however. First - what would the work world do without those working moms? I would suggest more flexible working hours where possible. I know I have appreciated the understanding of my employers when I had sick family members.
And then, of course, there are so many who do not have children who don't carry their work load...
At 9:53 PM,
Mitchell said…
This is definitely not up for discussion at my workplace. My boss has two kids and she's like the "work-ethic Nazi" but when it comes to her kids and other peoples' kids, it's fine to miss work and so forth. Otherwise, you have to have a written excuse from God saying you were dead or sitting on the very edge.
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