I have
experienced a great a bias being a woman without child(ren) in a work place. I
struggled with infertility for 14 years before having my first child. During
this time, I felt that my work environment showed favoritism to employees
(mainly women) with children. Many times, this group of people were allowed to
take time off with little or no notice. A person could use the excuse my child is
sick or they did not have alternative care arrangements. As a result, I have had
to work more hours to cover for this person or could not get time I needed. At
times, they have also had preferences to what schedule they worked each week.
As a supervisor, I had to rearrange many schedules to accommodate the needs of
some of these individuals too.
These
actions diminished equity in the center. One way is that a person without a
child picked up the slack for others. Many times, I had overheard a manager
telling an employee that another one needed time off because their child was
sick, their child did not have school, etc. If a person without a child tried to
take time off at the last minute, they were often denied because they did not
have the manpower to fill the person’s position. To show fairness to all
parties, the management team needs to have strict rules for time off and follow
them. Each person should have equal opportunities to request time off. Of
course if an emergency exists, the incident should be reviewed on a case by
case basis.
I had many
feelings about this incident. Struggling with infertility, I felt like less of
a person because I did not have a child. I felt that people without children
did not deserve the same opportunities for time off as those with children. As
a supervisor, I had staff rooms when management gave a person the time off.
Many times, I found myself scrambling to find people to work, and often the
teachers without children had to pick up the slack. I was the bad guy that
required them to work extra but also knew how they were feeling.
Hello Tanya, I see we have something in common I did to have infertility problems myself. I had three miscarriages and I was so overwhelm with all the issues that I was experiencing on my job. I was a floater and was often playing fill in the blank when certain teacher felt like they did not want to show up at work. I noticed when it came to me taking off it was always a problem. I remember requesting time off and another teacher did it around the same time she was approve, but not me. How unfair that is as you mentioned above how all parties should be treated fair. I totally agree with your statement, but the one thing I did learned from this whole situation nit to show favoritism when I get by child care center soon. I always look forward reading your post very interesting and informative have a great week!
ReplyDeleteTemika McCann 6164 -1
Tanya,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story with us, i can imagine your experience because it happens to most of us without children. At my workplace, the same issues arise, the women with children get more time off as well as the women who have a close relationship with the supervisor. It is so unfair that because you have a close relationship with the supervisor, you get any time off that you needed but others struggle to take time off. Also, i find it unfair that if you had worked awhile at the centre, then you are entitled to get paid for your sick day but if you haven't worked as much hours you are not entitled for a payment on your sick day. All these little incidents make the big picture of inequality and bias at work.
Tanya
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your story, I remember thinking back at my first job in the education field. I remember how the staff would say they needed a day off because their child was sick, or it was no school. I remember thinking I want a child so I can make that excuse. It was hard for me to get a day off especially during the school holidays. Wow, that was inequity in the workplace. The job I have now does not give special privileges because you have a child. You have to ask for days off in advance, and may not get that day. As a supervisor, I tell the staff they need to give me at least two weeks’ notice for days off. I often hear the staff that does not have children complain about the staff always calling out on a holiday. I know how they feel. Thanks for sharing your story.
LaNea
I am a single mother I have a very difficult time calling off of work. I feel as though I am singled out because my peers have a two parent household. They do not have to call off of work due to an ill child or lack of child care arrangements. My daughter have asthma which causes us to have many hospital visits. I feel my children are my first priority before work so I can see both sides of the situation.
ReplyDeleteHi Tanya, I am recently reading a lot about this type of situation where those without children pick up the slack. I am a new mother myself and as recently as on Friday, Oct 10, my four month old had two vaccination shots administered to her. I brought her home, gave her tylenol and my mom was watching her when I was working. However, during a client call she was screaming and I had to apologize and jump off the call. I felt terrible and thought I took the liberty with my employer but then it is a client call and I had to be there. I could not call in and cancel as my baby was screaming in pain. It is sad if people used their children as an excuse because when it truly happens it is such a helpless position that parents are in. While employers look into this there my be empathy and strictness so that no one misuses the scenario. Many other countries have excellent maternity leave benefits and because we do not have it here in the US, there needs to be some good regulations around the time off part of raising children.
ReplyDeleteTanya,
ReplyDeleteI am a director and I try to treat everyone the same. I have single mothers and they do have a difficult time when it comes to a sick child and leaving work. But I think when a child is ill they should be home with their parent.