Are single, childless people discriminated against in the workplace? (paid, business, education)
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I think so! Co-workers with kids miss a lot more time then I do. When I do need to take a day off, and it's not due to illness, there's always some grumbling (but hey, I earn my PTO time...so why not use it and lose it at the end of the year?)
I think you'd be surprised. If your dog was puking blood, I betcha' your boss would let you leave.
I used to be childless and often thought the same thing. I used to tease the parents I worked with "Man, I can wait to have a kid so I can stay home on snow days, and stay home when my kid is sick." Always joking, never serious. Because: it's so not a big deal. Why does this really bother you? You ARE single. Your schedule IS more flexible.
Raising kids is a lot of work. Cut parents some slack.
I am so sorry you don't have to leave your job early and make sure someone picks up your slack so you can go home and get puked on by your little kid. You poor guy. or waste all your vacation time on snifflers and snow days while your single friends jet off to Mexico every year.
You don't have kids. You can stay a few minutes late to help out. Don't be a jerk. Suck it up. Be a team player. It is appreciated by those that do have kids.
It's not all rainbows and daisies.
hehehehe
Having kids is a lifestyle choice. Why should I have to suck it up because you decided to pump out some tax deductions?
This thread reminded me of the time a single, childless coworker called that she could not come in because her pet iguana needed a C-section.
!!! This is brilliant! Don't know if it is true or not, but wow! What an excuse! of course, they would have had to take a vacation day, right?
Some advice that's been given to single and/or childless people when asked to stay late/come in on the weekend, is to state that you have plans, and don't budge or elaborate.
"I can't, I have an appointment." (The appointment is at home with my couch and TV, but I don't have to tell YOU that!)
"Sorry, we have plans." (Plans to go antiquing all Saturday.)
"I've got to run out at lunch today--might be a little late getting back." (Macy's is having a sale.)
...Having a family is like having a second job. When you go home to your family, it's not all fun and games. ...For a lot of people, it's easier to remain at the job and work rather than go home and take care of the kids. If you ask most people, they will tell you it's easier to remain at work for more hours than go home and fulfill family obligations.
Very true! I've worked with many people who find coming in to work much less stressful than having to deal with the family. More restful, even. And the guys thank their lucky stars that it is usually their wives that have to run out for kids' doctor's appointments, deal with school. They know how lucky they've got it!
One thing to keep in mind: People who will take advantage of you will do it whether or not they have kids. And it's up to YOU to not be taken advantage of by anyone. If you let someone keep pushing you, that's your fault for not dealing with it.
That iguana might be like a child to that childless person.
Possibly. And hey, I personally have no problem with someone needing to take a pet to the vet. But knowing this girl, it was more likely that she was just hungover and couldn't get out of bed. We used to be amused by her "why I am late/out" stories. When she was IN, we could hear her sometimes on the phone calling friends asking if they knew where her car was or how she got home the night before.
and speaking as a parent, if someone at my office had to cover for me once in awhile, I would absolutely say to that person:
"Hey, man. Thanks for covering for me yesterday. ANYTIME you need to scoot early for any reason, you let me know. I will pay you back".
That's just common courtesy. I think SOME of you complaining about this: just work with a****les. They were that before they had kids, and still are.
Moral: Don't get mad at all us parents because you work with an a******le.
^^^ Exactly.
Someone who has to leave early ALL THE TIME using their kid as an excuse is just using a kid as an excuse. Someone who has gotten a call that their kid broke their arm/is throwing up/fainted in school and needs to leave early has a genuine reason for leaving early.
As far as kids' activities go, that should be planned time off. I used to take planned approved vacation days so I could do certain activities with my daughter's class.
!!! This is brilliant! Don't know if it is true or not, but wow! What an excuse! of course, they would have had to take a vacation day, right?
Some advice that's been given to single and/or childless people when asked to stay late/come in on the weekend, is to state that you have plans, and don't budge or elaborate.
"I can't, I have an appointment." (The appointment is at home with my couch and TV, but I don't have to tell YOU that!)
"Sorry, we have plans." (Plans to go antiquing all Saturday.)
"I've got to run out at lunch today--might be a little late getting back." (Macy's is having a sale.)
Someone who has to leave early ALL THE TIME using their kid as an excuse is just using a kid as an excuse. Someone who has gotten a call that their kid broke their arm/is throwing up/fainted in school and needs to leave early has a genuine reason for leaving early.
And what about my coworker who had 2 toddlers at home. You could hear her arguing with her nanny on the phone -- it got very heated, and then she fired the nanny. Oh the phone. While her kids were still with the nanny. After she hung up, she realized that she had better get home very quickly! Now that's just plain stupidity!!
I do know that when work slows down the childless worker will be laid off first.
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If your dog was puking blood, I betcha' your boss would let you leave.
Having kids is a lifestyle choice. Why should I have to suck it up because you decided to pump out some tax deductions?
After she hung up, she realized that she had better get home very quickly! Now that's just plain stupidity!!
