I've HAD it. Parents v. Non-Parents at work

[Handbag Lady]

There are times I am SURE prisoners have more freedom and I do! Its all worth it in the end...

Since we are lumping parents together based on a few does that mean all childless couples are children haters?

Yes.






(hahahah, see what I did there!) And again, I never lumped parents together. Just the ones who never give a thought to us cover-ers.

 

[Magic Mom]

Maybe it just hasn't been my time yet. Also, it never enters the minds of these people to think to offer.

I've never offered, and neither have they. If you have to leave, you have to leave. The rest of us cover. I think we're lucky because no one abuses it.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yes, I've asked. Usually, someone's kid is sick. I am told, "well, they have a kid."



OH, YES. Thank you!



I'm not them. I don't even have a pet. My mechanic has weekend hours and I'm never late to work.



My parents are only 20 years older than me. They have more time off from work than I do.



Thanks!



Again, not me. I take my annual vacation with 12 months' notice.



If they can tell me to cover for them while Junior has the sniffles, they can tell me to knock off early. Again, it doesn't even enter their mind to ask, or ask the boss.




We are all salary. There is no overtime. The thing is, I don't have anyone to depend on me except my husband. He manages just fine without me during the day.

OK, you have no dependents or obligations-lucky you. I don't think that the mom rushing home to Junior's sniffles sees this as time off, rather than having to go home to her second job which is at least as hard as the one she is leaving behind.

 

[Allison]

Actually, respectfully, you did lump parents together. You used parents vs non-parents at work in your title.

Your first post was very general to all parents who work.

 

[Robinrs]

This might be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read.

There is one thing that parents of young children do NOT have, and that is freedom. Nothing I can think of (short of prison, maybe) impinges on your freedom more than being a parent of little kids.

If a coworker seriously told you that--and frankly, I don't believe it--it was surely her first child.

It's like the young girl at my job who is 3 months pregnant with what SHE thinks is a Barbie doll she can dress and show off. Reality is a female dog, people!!!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I have been actively looking for work since Aug 2009 ! Snagged a few interviews and nothing had panned out yet. My resumes are on every job site known to man...this is the first time I have been unemployed this long since I was 16....in this economy, I'd cover for anyone anytime.......just sayin'

 

[RitaE]

Ah, I disagree. I wasn't lumping all working parents into my complaint group. Just the ones who take LOTS of time off without even thinking about those of us stuck with their work. Heck, I've worked with working parents who never took excessive time off (but then again, she had a house-husband and didn't need to).

oh please! Go read your first post. It is absolutely a rant at all working parents! It is even titled "Parents vs Non-Parents!"
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Today, 06:16 PM #1
Handbag Lady
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I've HAD it. Parents v. Non-Parents at work
Why is it that when someone has a new baby, or a kid issue, or whatever, they get to leave work and rush home right away...leaving the rest of us to do their work to cover and we don't get any compensation of time off?

I understand. Stop it, don't try to explain. I know that kids need care outside of work. I know that when there is a newborn, you might need more time off of work. I'm not begrudging you the time off.

But why, oh, why, do you think we like to cover for you for nothing?

Does it EVER enter your head that maybe one or two days a month those of us without kids would like to be told, "Hey, you covered for me when my kid was sick/colic-y/pregnant wife was hormonal, take the last two hours off and I'll cover for you?"
__________________

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All that - I'm truly sorry if you feel somebody is taking advantage of you at work. Does it happen? Sure. I can also tell you however .... as a former manager and as the wife of a Vice President the absolute worst employees in regards to productivity and attendance do not tend to be your working parents. Far far from it.


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[Handbag Lady]

OK, you have no dependents or obligations-lucky you. I don't think that the mom rushing home to Junior's sniffles sees this as time off, rather than having to go home to her second job which is at least as hard as the one she is leaving behind.

And what does that have to do with me? I didn't make her pregnant. It is time off, even though she might not see it that way.





What I'm trying to say is this: be aware of your actions. Consider others when your personal needs are met in the work place. You might need time off for Junior's dentist appointment, I might want time off to beat traffic on a Friday, but I'm not going to ask for it because no one is bleeding. Also, because I have no kids, I can schedule trips and I have the luxury to schedule my flights after work. I know one can't always schedule Junior to have a fever at 8 pm.

 

[Handbag Lady]

OK, you have no dependents or obligations-lucky you. I don't think that the mom rushing home to Junior's sniffles sees this as time off, rather than having to go home to her second job which is at least as hard as the one she is leaving behind.

Actually, respectfully, you did lump parents together. You used parents vs non-parents at work in your title.

Your first post was very general to all parents who work.

Titles here are short. It was very general to parents who work and take excessive time off work and never think about those of us who cover, not to all parents period.

 

[wdwmom2]

I am not childless, my children are older. I am the one who covers for my co-workers because they are going to be a few minutes late in the morning. Yes, usually "child" involved, but not always.

BUT, I am happy to do this for them. At one point in my life I was in their shoes. I was the one that was late/had to leave early. Thank the good Lord it didn't happen often, but it did happen.

I guess I just look at it as paying it back for the times they helped me out!!! And who can predict the future???? I may have a time in my life that this may happen again. Not nessecarily a child, but spouse, parent, pet, whatever.

I guess that I am lucky that I work in an office of 20+ employees, and we are all one big happy family. You really don't find that in the workplace very often. We all pitch in and help one another. We never think twice about it. We just dig in and do it.

 

[Handbag Lady]

It's like the young girl at my job who is 3 months pregnant with what SHE thinks is a Barbie doll she can dress and show off. Reality is a female dog, people!!!!

How funny. I wonder what she's going to think when her Barbie Doll yodels some groceries all over her new dress.


Hey, I was a nanny for five years. I know from kids. (And no, I am not a kid hater.)

Seriously, I think you are one of the few who got my OP.

 

[HelenePA]

And what does that have to do with me? I didn't make her pregnant. It is time off, even though she might not see it that way.





What I'm trying to say is this: be aware of your actions. Consider others when your personal needs are met in the work place. You might need time off for Junior's dentist appointment, I might want time off to beat traffic on a Friday, but I'm not going to ask for it because no one is bleeding. Also, because I have no kids, I can schedule trips and I have the luxury to schedule my flights after work. I know one can't always schedule Junior to have a fever at 8 pm.

I've never been able to schedule when any of my kids get sick EVER... how about be aware of your words... Consider others feelings. We care about our children. We love them more than words can say. We'd do anything for them including breaking down and asking others to cover for us when we need to go tend to junior. Heck I dont even work and you offended me...

 

[Allison]

I guess that I am lucky that I work in an office of 20+ employees, and we are all one big happy family. You really don't find that in the workplace very often. We all pitch in and help one another. We never think twice about it. We just dig in and do it.

Same here. We are there for each other no matter what the issue. Unfortunately, we've been in a position to have to deal with people going through a lot lately but we've got through it as a team (including those with children).

 

[Minnie824]

So, I wasn't going to post but I will. I work full time and have 2 kids. My situation is somewhat lucky because I do work from home and have some flexibility. I have not in my entire career with kids ever called in sick to work. Do I leave when they're sick? Yes, I take time away to take them to the doctor. I don't expect anyone to make up my work. Whatever time I'm away, I make up when the kids are asleep or on weekends. I work a min 46 hours a week which is required and its normally more. This is on top of 5 activities they have to be taken to during the week and 3 soccer games on weekends. Whoever said they would get pregnant to have freedom is crazy. You know how much time I actually have to myself? maybe an hour a day if I'm lucky, unless I want to get no sleep (and I don't do well with no sleep).

OP - maybe where you work has some people that slack, but you can't generalize like that. And in addition, if it did come down to it...I would expect parents to pick their kids over a job...the kids should always come first in my opinion.

 

[Robinrs]

Yes, I've asked. Usually, someone's kid is sick. I am told, "well, they have a kid."



OH, YES. Thank you!



I'm not them. I don't even have a pet. My mechanic has weekend hours and I'm never late to work.



My parents are only 20 years older than me. They have more time off from work than I do.



Thanks!



Again, not me. I take my annual vacation with 12 months' notice.



If they can tell me to cover for them while Junior has the sniffles, they can tell me to knock off early. Again, it doesn't even enter their mind to ask, or ask the boss.




We are all salary. There is no overtime. The thing is, I don't have anyone to depend on me except my husband. He manages just fine without me during the day.

All of this can change overnight. You haven't even lived half your life yet.
I've seen the repercussions of haughtiness. It's not pretty.

My sister is 17 years younger than my Mom and 23 years younger than my Dad. She spent the last 15 years of her life caring for them while holding down a job with the govt. Life has it's dodgeballs so find a moment to care for others who have needs, not envy them or resent them. I became a parent at 36, I was you and them for years now. I understand both sides.

Your husband could be in an accident tomorrow and need you home. I'm sure you wouldn't concern yourself with the single worker who posts "I'm sick of married coworkers who make excuses to stay home"...like they're partying and being lazy. It's WORK.

Be careful what you complain about. It will come back and bite you where you don't want to be bitten.

 

[Handbag Lady]

oh please! Go read your first post. It is absolutely a rant at all working parents! It is even titled "Parents vs Non-Parents!"
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Today, 06:16 PM #1
Handbag Lady
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I've HAD it. Parents v. Non-Parents at work
Why is it that when someone has a new baby, or a kid issue, or whatever, they get to leave work and rush home right away...leaving the rest of us to do their work to cover and we don't get any compensation of time off?

I understand. Stop it, don't try to explain. I know that kids need care outside of work. I know that when there is a newborn, you might need more time off of work. I'm not begrudging you the time off.

But why, oh, why, do you think we like to cover for you for nothing?

Does it EVER enter your head that maybe one or two days a month those of us without kids would like to be told, "Hey, you covered for me when my kid was sick/colic-y/pregnant wife was hormonal, take the last two hours off and I'll cover for you?"
__________________

---

All that - I'm truly sorry if you feel somebody is taking advantage of you at work. Does it happen? Sure. I can also tell you however .... as a former manager and as the wife of a Vice President the absolute worst employees in regards to productivity and attendance do not tend to be your working parents. Far far from it.


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Respectfully, my rant was about working parents who never give a squat about those of us who cover. I never once said a thing against all working parents.

In my experience, you have good employees and bad employees. Some have been parents, some have not been. That's not what my rant is about.

 

[ZeitgeistDuck]

And what does that have to do with me? I didn't make her pregnant. It is time off, even though she might not see it that way.

What I'm trying to say is this: be aware of your actions. Consider others when your personal needs are met in the work place. You might need time off for Junior's dentist appointment, I might want time off to beat traffic on a Friday, but I'm not going to ask for it because no one is bleeding. Also, because I have no kids, I can schedule trips and I have the luxury to schedule my flights after work. I know one can't always schedule Junior to have a fever at 8 pm.

You chose not to have kids to get all these cushy cushy benefits like using up your personal time to run home and care for a sick child. Suck it up.

Frankly I have never told a co-worker to leave early that I have it covered just becuase. That's not my job. Beating traffic is a 'want'. Taking care of a kid is a need. If you need something and need to leave early, you should. But don't wait for someone to offer. I never feel guilty about leaving my co-workers to cover for me when I have to take care of my kids, you better believe I work hard and am worth the effort for my boss.

 

[HelenePA]

Respectfully, my rant was about working parents who never give a squat about those of us who cover. I never once said a thing against all working parents.

In my experience, you have good employees and bad employees. Some have been parents, some have not been. That's not what my rant is about.

Really? they why didn't you say something like I've had it with the parents who've taken advantage of us who dont have kids at work? not your title which is I've HAD it. Parents v. Non-Parents at work

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

And what does that have to do with me? I didn't make her pregnant. It is time off, even though she might not see it that way.





What I'm trying to say is this: be aware of your actions. Consider others when your personal needs are met in the work place. You might need time off for Junior's dentist appointment, I might want time off to beat traffic on a Friday, but I'm not going to ask for it because no one is bleeding. Also, because I have no kids, I can schedule trips and I have the luxury to schedule my flights after work. I know one can't always schedule Junior to have a fever at 8 pm.

You never know when you may be the one that needs the time off for something unpleasant. Count your blessings that you are not having to rush home to attend emergencies at this point in your life. Your charmed life can change all too quickly.


And you really never ever take time off for anything? If you NEED time off, take it. Ask for help. Apparently the parents don't have a problem asking for coverage to attend to something important. If you ever have something important to do, ask for coverage, no one is a mind reader.

 

[BrcsDisneyPrncs]

I absolutely do not mind one bit covering for a co-worker who has a sick child, or needs to tend to childcare issues.

That said - I HATE HATE HATE being taken advantage of. I'm in HR so i handle any leave early/pto etc requests, and what i despise more than anything are those parents who say "omg i have to leave early b/c my daughter is sick, my ex can't keep her etc" only to waltz in the next day chatting in the break room about how they left and went to bar/restaurant/party etc.

To those parents who truly need the time - more power to you.

To the pain in the rump liars who take advantage of my good graces