Stop the Press Spree Against Working Moms

[Peikko 1,575]

I always wanted equal break time with the smokers...

[ceriserose 1]

Right.....

So, where I work we're a safety company. The reports we produce enable you, the consumer, to purchase things with a fair idea that they're actually not going to kill you. On my team (we're split into teams to focus on particular industries) we're about 50/50 spawn/spawnless. At least once a week there is someone on my team who is out, has to take an afternoon (or morning) off, is a little late, or whatever excuse you have for dealing with a kid. (don't forget the "parent-teacher conference" dodge.) What this means is that we have 1 less body to deal with incoming work. That means a rush job comes in and goes into my name....shifting things around in priority....delaying companies from being able to ship product. For some industries that can be millions of dollars a day. All because little Melvin missed the bus. It also means that I get asked why things are late. Now take that to the point where there's 2, or 3, or 5 out.

Is this fair? Nope. Is it the real world? Yep.

Sorry, I'm not going to feel all warm and fuzzy about helping out the spawn-enhanced....unless they bring back some nice flu bug to share....and then I just get sick.

That's my .02

You are seriously expecting us all to believe that in the company you work for, the only people who 'abuse' the system are parents, more specifically mothers? I seriously doubt that one. I would bet money that the majority of cover days are required because of the feckless single people who take time off because of hangovers and the like.

I don't think that's what he said.

Specifically, he said "At least once a week there is someone on my team who is out, has to take an afternoon (or morning) off, is a little late, or whatever excuse you have for dealing with a kid. (don't forget the "parent-teacher conference" dodge.)"

The comment "Now take that to the point where there's 2, or 3, or 5 out." I didn't read to mean parents, just the overall amount of people that could be out (possibly for the reason you espouse, but then again single people don't ever get legitimately ill or need personal time, right?).

BTW, I also didn't read him talking about "mothers", only "someone". Why did you infer his remarks to specifically mean mothers?

To me, the whole thing really has little to do with parents or childless workers. (sounds stupid considering the topic, I know...) It has everything to do with work ethic...like I mentioned in my earlier post, the majority of the times that I covered for someone (and I did it a LOT...I could always use the money too!) were for single people with hangovers, laziness or some other 'disorder' of that sort. Sometimes it was for moms too...but had nothing to do with their children. They had a migraine, or were 'sick' or whathaveyou. Plenty of parents will do everything in their power to be at work..backup sitters, using personal time or sick time instead of just calling in...etc..and plenty of single people are just as responsible. It's just down to the individual. To me, parents don't take any more 'advantage' of other workers than single workers do of working parents. Maybe it's just my experience, too...but then again, maybe it's just YOUR experience if that's not how it's been where you work. M.

Totally agree. It's when the generalizations start that things get ugly.

I always wanted equal break time with the smokers...

OMG that is my biggest workplace pet peeve. I covered phones for a smoker. I could have had 3 lunches for the 5-10 minute breaks she took a day...

[MichelleandCraig 1]

reading the above post, and just to clarify... I wasn't referring to CAPS or anyone specifially in my post, just anyone saying working parents take advantage,etc. M.

I agree with the smoking thing too!! And, unfortunately, I'm a smoker. We were allowed, at one point, two 15 minute breaks..but, oftentimes, the smokers would be back in 25-30 minutes instead. No one usually noticed (management) except the people picking up the slack. (I worked in a jobs where we covered each other and the machines were continually running) ARGH!!!! M.

Edited November 30, 2006 by MichelleandCraig

[Peikko 1,575]

I took his remarks in that context because of his references thoughout the thread to the 'burden' the 'spawned' are on the 'unspawned' The 'specifically mothers' is because this thread is about the equality given to mothers in the work place. Of course, I could be reading too much into this...

I have already stated that the work ethic is the salient point. I have also stated that 'in my experience' those with children, and specifically mothers, have a very high work ethic and work harder.. You've heard the saying if you want a job done well, ask a busy person? Seems to apply to the working moms I have known. Of course, that part is purely from my experience and I am not suggesting that single/childless men or women never have high work ethics.

Figures would be very interesting to see.

The smoking break thing really bugs me though...

[doodlebug 3]

My daughters are less than a year apart. My boss HATED the fact that I had to take maternity leave after my first child, but he dealt with it since it's the law. The day I came back from leave I had to tell him I was pregnant again.

His response: "Don't you know how to use a $@%## condom?????"

I was in tears for the whole day not just 'cause I had to leave my daughter for the first time in 6 weeks but because now my life was gonna be Hell for the next 9 months. I soooo wish I had had the balls back then to slap him with a sexual harrasment claim!!!!!

I'm in a much better job now and if my children are sick i just bring my laptop home and work from there while I take care of them. No one has to cover for me and I still get my work done. Guess it's all in the type of job you have. I knew my family comes first so I purposely sought out a family-friendly job.

[ILIKEALLCAPS 0]

I took his remarks in that context because of his references thoughout the thread to the 'burden' the 'spawned' are on the 'unspawned' The 'specifically mothers' is because this thread is about the equality given to mothers in the work place. Of course, I could be reading too much into this...

I have already stated that the work ethic is the salient point. I have also stated that 'in my experience' those with children, and specifically mothers, have a very high work ethic and work harder.. You've heard the saying if you want a job done well, ask a busy person? Seems to apply to the working moms I have known. Of course, that part is purely from my experience and I am not suggesting that single/childless men or women never have high work ethics.

Figures would be very interesting to see.

The smoking break thing really bugs me though...

Here's a figure.....100% of the people at work with children 'spawned' through sexual reproduction. Not a single case of asexual reproduction.

(For those that aren't following.....it takes 2 to spawn....1 of each gender)

Ok, as for how people who have taken the blessed time to joyously fertilize each other, nurturing the growing life until such time as it emerges from the womb, the pinnacle of human evolution....might possibly contribute to being unproductive at work:

1. I don't want to see pictures of your kid.

2. I don't want to hear a story of how your kid bit the cat, or the postman, or the president (well, maybe the last one)

3. I don't want to hear the same story, this time with pictures.

(do I bring in pictures of the movie I watched last weekend? Doubtful.)

4. Sending your kids off to school is great. I wish I had something I could count on getting me out of an afternoon (or morning) of work several times a year, without anyone thinking twice.

(who's for worker-hangover conference day 3 times a year?)

5. I don't want to buy candy bars. Or lightbulbs. Or apples, pies, giftwrap, cookie dough, pizzas, raffle tickets........If I can't go to camp....little Zuzana can't either.

6. Did I ever get around to thanking you for the flu last year? Or the colds? Or for remembering that I have tissues so you run over to my desk just in time to sneeze on me?

7. I don't recall the last time there was "take your hobby to work" day.

Yes, childless people can be irresponsible. No, I don't like them when they do it either....but they're a little less.....enfranchised.

Now....as to something vaguely relating to the topic. I fully think the maternity leave situation in the USA sucks. I think the Paternity leave situation sucks worse. How about 3 months off, paid, each? How about only 1 month of that overlapping? Sounds nice to me.

(and yes, I recognize that, by playing the devil's advocate so vehemently here......I've pretty much assured us getting pregnant. In which case you can all make me eat my words....as long as you buy a candy bar.)

[mRx 16]

My daughters are less than a year apart. My boss HATED the fact that I had to take maternity leave after my first child, but he dealt with it since it's the law. The day I came back from leave I had to tell him I was pregnant again.

His response: "Don't you know how to use a $@%## condom?????"

I was in tears for the whole day not just 'cause I had to leave my daughter for the first time in 6 weeks but because now my life was gonna be Hell for the next 9 months. I soooo wish I had had the balls back then to slap him with a sexual harrasment claim!!!!!

I'm in a much better job now and if my children are sick i just bring my laptop home and work from there while I take care of them. No one has to cover for me and I still get my work done. Guess it's all in the type of job you have. I knew my family comes first so I purposely sought out a family-friendly job.

you should have slapped that a hole with sexual harrasment, thats completely uncalled for. Its none of his business what you do...

Back to back pregnancies... i bet that was rough.. Im so glad im not a woman. I couldnt do it.

[Fandango 1,439]

Yes, women worked during WWII but it was much more a case of a temporary measure rather than 'I can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan' (5 bonus points to the person who rememebers that advert and can say what it was for, lol)

chanel no 5, yes?

Enjoli perfume?

yep

THAT's it!! *bangs head with hand

i can even see the commercial! lol

Me too! And the song is in my head, running like a bad movie track. I'm blaming Lisa.

here, here... lisa, its your fault!!!!

(it surely has nothing to do with that ad being incredibly successful!)

*runs*

[Itsmeitsmeitsree! 0]

I've been a member on this site for more than two years, and mostly just lurk nowadays. There are, however, a few issues I compelled to give my opinion on, and this is one of them.

Several years ago, I found myself to be a single parent. It wasn't my choice for that to happen, but it did. I fought to keep my children with me. I received no support from their father, and as of today, he is still more than $17,000 behind. (Child support enforcement is a joke!) I worked VERY HARD to take care of my children and raise them to be as normal as possible. There were times when it became necessary for me to take off because one was sick, or had something very important that needed my presence. I wouldn't do anything any differently.

During these few years, I only took THREE days off for my own personal illness. I took NO vacation, and ALWAYS found a capable substitute so that my work didn't suffer. I would also come in on what were supposed to be my days off to make up for time I missed. I NEVER expected ANYONE (single or otherwise) to do anything I was responsible for.

What IS ironic is that the single people I worked with called in FAR more often than I ever did. Drunk from the night before? Going out of town with other single friends and expected ME to come into to work (to cover for them) because I had kids and needed the money? Scheduling personal things during work time when sufficient time existed for them to do it at other times, and I was still expected to cover for them...again, because I was the one who had kids and needed the money!

To assume that all working parents are the only ones to take off work, and who expect it, is rather naive. I have found that it's quite the other way!!

[Sinergy 3]

I've been a member on this site for more than two years, and mostly just lurk nowadays. There are, however, a few issues I compelled to give my opinion on, and this is one of them.

Several years ago, I found myself to be a single parent. It wasn't my choice for that to happen, but it did. I fought to keep my children with me. I received no support from their father, and as of today, he is still more than $17,000 behind. (Child support enforcement is a joke!) I worked VERY HARD to take care of my children and raise them to be as normal as possible. There were times when it became necessary for me to take off because one was sick, or had something very important that needed my presence. I wouldn't do anything any differently.

During these few years, I only took THREE days off for my own personal illness. I took NO vacation, and ALWAYS found a capable substitute so that my work didn't suffer. I would also come in on what were supposed to be my days off to make up for time I missed. I NEVER expected ANYONE (single or otherwise) to do anything I was responsible for.

What IS ironic is that the single people I worked with called in FAR more often than I ever did. Drunk from the night before? Going out of town with other single friends and expected ME to come into to work (to cover for them) because I had kids and needed the money? Scheduling personal things during work time when sufficient time existed for them to do it at other times, and I was still expected to cover for them...again, because I was the one who had kids and needed the money!

To assume that all working parents are the only ones to take off work, and who expect it, is rather naive. I have found that it's quite the other way!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I always wanted equal break time with the smokers...

Smokers have it made. Many smoke breaks and no need to worry about old age and retirement.

[Sinergy 3]

I always wanted equal break time with the smokers...

Smokers have it made. Many smoke breaks and no need to worry about old age and retirement.

I dont know how it is for most companies, i do know in my company EVERYONE gets 2 10 min breaks. smokers use it to smoke, nonsmokers use it for whatever they want. i really think it should be that way everywhere, everyone gets the same amount and time length of breaks, smokers or not, if you smoke (like i do) you just have to wait your turn and go smoke on your break. id never ask a nonsmoker to watch my phone or anything while i go smoke. but there are alot of smokers who do that.

[Ban Hammer 13,336]

This same person called me....on my personal cell phone....and threatened to fire me if I didn't come in and fix a program. Mind you....this was on Valentine's day, when I had expensive tickets to dinner theatre.... and I'd been off work for 6 hours.

exactly why i don't answer phones when i'm off work

[Sinergy 3]

This same person called me....on my personal cell phone....and threatened to fire me if I didn't come in and fix a program. Mind you....this was on Valentine's day, when I had expensive tickets to dinner theatre.... and I'd been off work for 6 hours.

exactly why i don't answer phones when i'm off work

thats why theres that beautiful invention of the answering machine and voice mail. i screen all my calls when im not at work.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I've been a member on this site for more than two years, and mostly just lurk nowadays. There are, however, a few issues I compelled to give my opinion on, and this is one of them.

Several years ago, I found myself to be a single parent. It wasn't my choice for that to happen, but it did. I fought to keep my children with me. I received no support from their father, and as of today, he is still more than $17,000 behind. (Child support enforcement is a joke!) I worked VERY HARD to take care of my children and raise them to be as normal as possible. There were times when it became necessary for me to take off because one was sick, or had something very important that needed my presence. I wouldn't do anything any differently.

During these few years, I only took THREE days off for my own personal illness. I took NO vacation, and ALWAYS found a capable substitute so that my work didn't suffer. I would also come in on what were supposed to be my days off to make up for time I missed. I NEVER expected ANYONE (single or otherwise) to do anything I was responsible for.

What IS ironic is that the single people I worked with called in FAR more often than I ever did. Drunk from the night before? Going out of town with other single friends and expected ME to come into to work (to cover for them) because I had kids and needed the money? Scheduling personal things during work time when sufficient time existed for them to do it at other times, and I was still expected to cover for them...again, because I was the one who had kids and needed the money!

To assume that all working parents are the only ones to take off work, and who expect it, is rather naive. I have found that it's quite the other way!!

Amen, sister! Well said!