? To Employers-Update on Post 8

[mylilnikita]

Hi
I went on a interview the other day and filled out the application that asked which days and times I would be available for work. Okay, I know that on mondays and especially fridays it will take longer to get home-I live about 30 minutes away so I avoid taking the interstate on those days. I have a DD7 who goes into the before/after school program and is enrolled in it during summer as well and the school is very close to my house and they close at 6:30pm.
I put on the application that mondays and fridays I need to get off no later than 5:00 pm, tuesdays are easier and saturday and sunday I can work longer. I can even work holidays. So the person who I would be under was interviewing me and was asking about the times I had written down. I explained that it takes me on a easy day 30-45 minutes, and I have to have my DD out of the program before it closes at 6:30 or they will take on money for that time after and if you are late 3 times, you have to find another care provider.
Now she says it shouldn't be a problem, as long as they have enough staff, but if it became a problem we would have to talk about it? What is there to talk about? Some people have others to pick up their kids, I don't. DD's dad has no car, lives about an hour away. My DM hasn't driven in years and due to other things, she wouldn't walk to go get DD. Our main street has become a autobahn so hectic that there is a petition to put in speed bumps, so there is no way I would want DM or DD to even try to cross it. I have a neighbor, but that is only a emergency contact.
So, which would you rather have? Me having a lot of experience, enough to make you offer to negotiate my pay? Or not have me at all because you don't want me to get off at a certain time 2 days out of the week? I am afraid if I get hired, some how down the road, this will be an issue. Any advice? Should I offer if that time comes to leave work, get DD and then go back to work as long as it would be worth my while in hours?

 

[Honu]

The issue is that different standards can't be applied to parent vs. non-parent employees. Every employee has to abide by the same attendance requirements.

I would move on and try to find something closer or with more flexible hours.

My take on that application question is that it's really for students and other candidates that fill it in should expect it will be counted against them.

 

[mylilnikita]

I don't expect special treatment, but there are foreign workers for the summer only who have 2 jobs and have to leave at a certain time and they are exempt. Or if people have school at night, they are exempt. I am just trying to figure out a way to make this work.

I need to marry a rich man

 

[SplshMtn99]

Not knowing what type of business & how many employees makes it harder to answer.

I was working in an insurance agency for almost 12 yrs until Feb. Just 6 employees. I was the only non-parent. So, it SEEMED everyone had a reason to always be leaving early or not coming back from lunch. Some, not even child related. FINALLY, a few times, I ended up being all alone on a Friday afternoon, in a service related office who should have 6 people there. I complained to my boss. His answer: "you don't like it, there's the door". So, the 2nd time (another day) he said that to me...... YUP, I QUIT. I was just SICK & TIRED of people never being there.

So, hope he's happy with an office of people who can't seem to be at work when the office is supposed to be staffed. Himself included.

 

[Honu]

Is the position you've applied for exempt?

 

[ducklite]

If I was the person interviewing you, after hearing you've got daycare issues before you even begin, I'd be incredibly leery. It's not just that you are inflexible about the time you have to leave, but I'd also be concerned about what you've got lined up if your child is sick.

In all honesty the big red flag is your times, they don't make sense. It's a 45 minute ride to the day care, they close at 6:30, and you have to leave at 5:00? It would seem that 5:30 would be more than enough time and offer a cushion as well.

I think more and more employers are realizing that they need to treat employees the same, regardless of family obligations, and are becoming reluctant to give leeway to those with kids when it creates more work for those without--you end up losing good employees over it.

My suggestion is that you try to work something out with either another parent who uses that daycare and you can swap picking up each others kids, or something along those lines, and call the interviewer to let her know you can be a little more flexible

Good luck!

Anne

 

[Nancyg56]

It is very difficult for companies to balance the needs of people with children and those who do not, because most people have lives outside of work. While I would have no problem filling in for a coworker periodically in an emergency, I would not be okay with preferential treatment due to childcare issues. It is important to determine if the hours offered are compatible with your lifestyle and commitments prior to accepting a position, because your coworkers all have commitments outside of the office, although these commitments may not be youngsters. An exception made for you may then mean one must be made for another with an aging parent, or a sick sibling.

 

[mylilnikita]

Sorry it took this long to write back.

Update: I got the job!!!!!!! I go in tomorrow to get uniforms and fill out the ever popular paperwork.

It is a job at a hotel and I know by working in Williamsburg, mondays and fridays are the worst days to get back on the interstate, so I have to find alternate routes, which on occassion been backed up as well from everyone else trying to avoid the interstate and you can't go 65 mph on them. Sometimes, I was on the road for an hour to an hour and a half, but DF was alive to go get DD before the place closed. The check in is at 4, and if you have enough people and the front desk doesnt let guests check out really late, you should not be there later on than 5 to 5:30 from my experience working at a timeshare.
I talked to the boss today and I told her that now during summer on those certain days, DD will stay with DM, slower days such as tuesday, etc she will go to the summer program and then weekends with DM or her DF. And when it slows down and school starts up again, I would have to at least get off at 5:30. I think since a lot of people don't or won't work weekends and holidays but I am able to do that is more important to the supervisor she choosing the lesser of 2 evils. Williamsburg has a high turnover rate for hotel/timeshare employees and if you can get loyal employees you are lucky. luckily the supervisor's assistant worked with me before and the girl taking the assistant's place worked with me and can speak for my experience and work ethic. I was at my previous job for 5 years, weekends, holidays worked them all and getting off at 5 or 5;30 was no problem.
Now, the girl who is coming in to take over the assistants job, she and I are working on getting our previous co workers from her old job and our job that we met to recruit them and getting more cleaners for the hotel we are going to.
My DD has only called once from school, but my DF was alive to go get her. If she is sick, she stays with DM.
Thanks to everyone for their replies.