agree to disagree? gray areas everywhere

[Michelle and crew]

you do know that not everyone lives in the city, don't you. I live in a city of 50,000. There is no drop off childcare center. People should have some backup. It is safe and reasonable when the shtf. But even when people work hard and do their best, stuff happens. lol, "weaksauce?" Calling the difficulty of other's weaksauce is well pretty weaksauce...

 

[plummer925]

1) I do not think so.
2) Jury duty is one of the prices of being a USA citizen.
3) I, personally, do not believe ANYONE should be excused from jury duty.
4) When good people get out of jury duty, you get worse juror candidates.

NOTE: When I have employees who get notices, we WILL NOT entertain giving them an excuse that they are needed at work. In fact, I had a very well paid senior manager that told the court this. The court contacted us. We denied his work load was that bad and said we would let him serve. It was good, because he could use the extra money after we fired him for not serving. (Yes, it is written in the Work Rules that way.)

I can say that I absolutely would NEVER work for your company! (I mean this in all due respect). I am disabiled with a social anxiety/phobia. I could NEVER serve in a jury. According to you I should be excuxed? what gives you the right to even say that.

And for the record - I may be a US citizen becuase I was born here, but I also don't vote - it's my RIGHT to NOT do it as much as it's your right to do it.

It is my right to not serve on a jury if I am unable to do so for medical, or other legitimate reasons.

Honestly - the first time that right is taken from me, I will move out of the USA quicker than you can blink.

 

[PatsMom]

Lol, so our federal court system has more compassion than a bunch of Disney fans! That is too funny!

Not really - did you read the part that said the excuse was for someone caring for a child under 10 who's health and safety could be jeopardized? That might apply to the OP who claims that her child would not receive services related to a disability without a parent present but it wouldn't seem to apply to someone who just choosed to be their own day care provider.

And even the OP's point about a disabled child seems odd since my niece is severely handicapped and there only needs to be an authorized person present for her to receive her therapy. That can be her day care provider (and it generally was).

I think the entitlement mentality that says because you are a SAHM you should be excused is ridiculous. We are all citizens and we should all carry out our jury duty. It is no more inconvenient for the husband of a SAHM to take time off work - using vacation or unpaid time than it is for me to take time off work - using vacation and unpaid time. Which is how it is at my company. If I can get in enough work hours, I'll get paid. But if I don't, vacation or unpaid it is.

When I was a nursing mother I was called. Oddly enough, I was a SAHM at the time. And it was just DH and me living hundreds of miles away from our family and friends on a temporary assignment for him. He managed to take the time off for me to report. I pumped enough milk for him to feed the baby. Easy peasy.

 

[Michelle and crew]

ok, I just have to post this link... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2587808 Vacaction a good excuse? lol.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Not really - did you read the part that said the excuse was for someone caring for a child under 10 who's health and safety could be jeopardized? That might apply to the OP who claims that her child would not receive services related to a disability without a parent present but it wouldn't seem to apply to someone who just choosed to be their own day care provider.

And even the OP's point about a disabled child seems odd since my niece is severely handicapped and there only needs to be an authorized person present for her to receive her therapy. That can be her day care provider (and it generally was).

I think the entitlement mentality that says because you are a SAHM you should be excused is ridiculous. We are all citizens and we should all carry out our jury duty. It is no more inconvenient for the husband of a SAHM to take time off work - using vacation or unpaid time than it is for me to take time off work - using vacation and unpaid time. Which is how it is at my company. If I can get in enough work hours, I'll get paid. But if I don't, vacation or unpaid it is.

When I was a nursing mother I was called. Oddly enough, I was a SAHM at the time. And it was just DH and me living hundreds of miles away from our family and friends on a temporary assignment for him. He managed to take the time off for me to report. I pumped enough milk for him to feed the baby. Easy peasy.

So everyone's circumstance should be based on yours? I think that everyone should serve also. But there are many many years that a person is elible. 52ish. And a few years when there might be a difficult time for childcare. And many people are never called. My thinking is that it can be worked out pretty reasonalbly.

And, I would absolutely say our local court is much more compassionate than many here.

Blessedly.

 

[mhsjax]

ok, I just have to post this link... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2587808 Vacaction a good excuse? lol.

Yes, but what if you spend thousands of dollars that were non refundable. I think it is a valid excuse for your duty to be postponed, maybe you should be required to serve right after you get back, but I don't think it is unreasonable.

 

[bartleby1]

I don't buy all the 'I don't have back up child care' arguments on this post. it's weaksauce. If you're in the city back up child care is easy. Many daycares will do a daily drop off. There are also websites with vetted sitters, nannies, etc. It's an inconvience, and you'd have to call around - but it's not a valid excuse unless it puts the family through a financial hardship.

I think it's very entitled to expect another person - possibly another SAHM, or maybe a single working mom, to take your place because it's an inconvience to you.

You can not "buy" the no child care argument, but unless you have lived everywhere and been in everyone else's shoes, I don't understand how you can say that. I can tell you for certain that none of the daycare centers around here do "drop off" daycare for just anyone off the street.

As far as websites with so called sitters, nannies, etc, my neighbor who lives directly across the street from me has used these services at least 4 times that I know about and were sent screwballs each time. One "nanny" was a 19 year old who showed up with a huge tattoo showing out the top of her very low cut pants and cared more about talking on her cell to her boyfriend than about caring for their child. One "nanny" had such a potty mouth that I wouldn't let my kids outside when she was around. Another "nanny" actually hit their four year old while telling him what a brat he was. The same one locked the child out of the house while it was raining because he wouldn't stop screaming in the house. When she finally let him back in and he whined about his socks being wet, she told him too bad and punished him by putting him in time out in the dog's bed.

Now, I'm sure that there are many wonderful nannies and sitters to be found. However, I've seen enough bad to make me certain that there is NO way I would use one of these online sites. I don't take chances with the well being of my children. There are too many crack pots out there and fingerprinting and background checks don't always reveal them. My kids have never been watched by anyone that I don't personally know, and know very well. Call me overprotective, but I'd much rather be overprotective than put my kids through any of the experiences that the poor little one across the street has been through.

If you are fortunate enough to have multiple options for childcare, consider yourself lucky. Not everyone has that, for many different reasons. For some, it would be a huge problem and one that is not easily fixed without putting their children in possible harm's way. I'm not sure how so many people on this thread can judge other's situations without actually walking in their shoes.

 

[PatsMom]

So everyone's circumstance should be based on yours? I think that everyone should serve also. But there are many many years that a person is elible. 52ish. And a few years when there might be a difficult time for childcare. And many people are never called. My thinking is that it can be worked out pretty reasonalbly.

And, I would absolutely say our local court is much more compassionate than many here.

Blessedly.

I don't think that everyone's circumstances should be based on mine. I do believe that it is everyone's duty as a citizen to serve and caring for children is not an automatic excuse. Hypothetical situation - you are called and get your excuse because you choose not to find childcare. I get called and lose a week's pay or vacation. How is that fair? If I lived in your court area and found out that SAHMs were getting automatic excuses while I was required to serve I would be raising hell with whoever had the authority to change the rules! That's why I was so glad to read that the federal rule had a hardship clause in it for the under ten year olds - I was getting ready to figure out who had to be contacted to try to start a campaign to change that.

I despise inequality between women who choose to work out side the home and those who choose the traditional stay at home route. It is unjust and unfair.

 

[ccgirl]

ok, I just have to post this link... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2587808 Vacaction a good excuse? lol.

Thanks for the link. Not sure why she would look to postpone it since it is a few days prior to her vacation. In that case, she should go that day and see how the chips fall. If the case goes for a few days; then maybe she can get out of it. But, did you already read that she was already granted one postponement 5 years ago? That is my point, at what point is it okay to keep filing postponements? It is never, really, going to be a convenient time.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Yes, but what if you spend thousands of dollars that were non refundable. I think it is a valid excuse for your duty to be postponed, maybe you should be required to serve right after you get back, but I don't think it is unreasonable.

If someone is going to make the choice to plan a vacation then they really need backup for emergencies...that is what trip insurance is for.

 

[mhsjax]

If someone is going to make the choice to plan a vacation then they really need backup for emergencies...that is what trip insurance is for.

I understand trip insurance, but like my DH, he wouldn't be able to get another vacation, they bid 1 year in advance. So I guess I think it is a reason for, not excusing, but for delaying your time on jury duty. Sorry, but that is the way I feel. And trust me, no one would want me on the jury after I had to give up a vacation for another year. So yes, I may not be out the money, due to trip insurance, but I darn sure wouldn't be happy not having a vacation. Sometimes they are hard to come by.

 

[bartleby1]

I guess I can understand single, SAHM's without backup care. But I am very confused why the spouse can't take a day off to take care of their children when the SAHM has jury duty? Not interested in the, "they do not get paid" excuse. MANY people called to jury duty (myself included unless I have vacation time to use) do not get paid. Yes, it is still a financial hardship. However, it is also still a civic duty to do this.

You must realize that not everyone's DH can just tell their boss that they aren't coming in to work, right? It isn't even a matter of 'with pay' or 'without pay'. My DH gets one personal day a year at his job. He also has sick days, but they can only be used if he is sick. He does have vacation days, but they can only be used when no one else is using their vacation days and must be scheduled in the beginning of the year. He does also get bereavement days in the event of a death in the family. Other than that, he can't just decide that he isn't coming to work because his wife has something to do, and that would include jury duty.

Now, if HE were the one that got called for jury duty, his job would have no problems with him going. He would even still get paid for the day. However, he could not just decide to stay home to watch the kids because I was called for jury duty. It just isn't an option.

I'm sure his job isn't the only company that works that way since he works for a fairly large company.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I understand trip insurance, but like my DH, he wouldn't be able to get another vacation, they bid 1 year in advance. So I guess I think it is a reason for, not excusing, but for delaying your time on jury duty. Sorry, but that is the way I feel. And trust me, no one would want me on the jury after I had to give up a vacation for another year. So yes, I may not be out the money, due to trip insurance, but I darn sure wouldn't be happy not having a vacation. Sometimes they are hard to come by.

I agree. I just find it amazing thatnpeople might get that but not realize that other far more important things might be cause for postponement too. In the end, it can all be pretty reasonable if people dint dig in their heels for a right or wrong, entitlement calling battle.

 

[mhsjax]

I agree. I just find it amazing thatnpeople might get that but not realize that other far more important things might be cause for postponement too. In the end, it can all be pretty reasonable if people dint dig in their heels for a right or wrong, entitlement calling battle.

I guess it all depends on your situation. for me, I am a SAHM but really wouldn't have had a problem having jury duty when they were younger. (they are older now and can take care of themselves). Also DH works for the Gov't, so I really don't think that there would have been a problem with him getting off for me to go. HOwever, vacations are a big deal. Almost impossible to get and I would gladly volunteer for twice them time, if I could postpone it until after vacation, but that is me and yes I do realize that some can and will try and use any excuse necessary, but I would not. Unless it was vacation.

 

[PatsMom]

I agree. I just find it amazing thatnpeople might get that but not realize that other far more important things might be cause for postponement too. In the end, it can all be pretty reasonable if people dint dig in their heels for a right or wrong, entitlement calling battle.

A one time postponement is one thing. The SAHM's on this thread are largely saying they should be excused until it is convenient or the children are grown. That is a different thing entirely. A postponement is different than an 18 year excuse.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I guess it all depends on your situation. for me, I am a SAHM but really wouldn't have had a problem having jury duty when they were younger. (they are older now and can take care of themselves). Also DH works for the Gov't, so I really don't think that there would have been a problem with him getting off for me to go. HOwever, vacations are a big deal. Almost impossible to get and I would gladly volunteer for twice them time, if I could postpone it until after vacation, but that is me and yes I do realize that some can and will try and use any excuse necessary, but I would not. Unless it was vacation.

I live in the town I was raised in, and normally not anbig deal here either. I do know a lot of people for whom it would not have been. Life is far more complicated than it seems sometimes. And what worked for me wouldn't have worked for others, always, either.

 

[JB2K]

OP - you did say you were called for Federal Jury Duty?

There is a possibility your Federal Courthouse may have an on-premesis (or nearby) child care center.

A list of child care centers on federal facilities/properties can be found, here.

Otherwise, I agree with those saying it's your civic duty to serve...

 

[Michelle and crew]

OP - you did say you were called for Federal Jury Duty?

There is a possibility your Federal Courthouse may have an on-premesis (or nearby) child care center.

A list of child care centers on federal facilities/properties can be found, here.

Otherwise, I agree with those saying it's your civic duty to serve...

So you leave your young children with people you've never met? As my signature says, I wouldn't even to that with my dog. He is a snowflake.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

So you leave your young children with people you've never met? As my signature says, I wouldn't even to that with my dog. He is a snowflake.

I would never ever leave my kids with some ramdom person that I just met. I don't care if it is a courthouse child care etc. I just read a thread last night where people went to x amount of kennels before they would even consider leaving their dog there and yet people seem to think it is okay to just call up child care centers and drop your kids off there? Really? I guess I have snowflake kids because there is no way on earth I would ever do that. Heck if I had a dog I still wouldn't do that to the dog even.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I would never ever leave my kids with some ramdom person that I just met. I don't care if it is a courthouse child care etc. I just read a thread last night where people went to x amount of kennels before they would even consider leaving their dog there and yet people seem to think it is okay to just call up child care centers and drop your kids off there? Really? I guess I have snowflake kids because there is no way on earth I would ever do that. Heck if I had a dog I still wouldn't do that to the dog even.

I'm there with you. We had Childcare off and on depending on our circumstances. I interviewed carefully. I would hope others do also.