Are Working Parents Really a Problem?

I’ll admit, my initial take was to laugh out loud, literally.  It is funny…creating a fake kid so you can sneak out of the office.  But of course, I understand the problem.  If workers perceive that work/life is only about working parents, the movement is sunk.  And no one should need a reason to leave the office…they should leave the office when they need to.

But the reality is that there are some real emotions surrounding parents in the workplace and special  treatment.
I have personally never experienced the pressures of taking over work for a working parent.  I also do not think I ever offloaded my work onto others because I was a parent.  But the Office Kid business and the blog article are just two examples that others aren’t so convinced.  So let’s talk about it.  My take on horribly over-bearing working parents:

1) Put Yourself in their shoes:  Parents don’t have a choice sometimes.  Daycare closes, pediatricians work during business hours, teachers do, too. That is reality.  There are realities for others as well but they don’t include a minor being left to fend for themselves.

2) Think it through:  Does the project you’ve been asked to take over, really need to get done tonight?  If it doesn’t…why don’t you just leave it for the parent to finish the next day.  My guess is many of our over-inflated egos want to believe our work is so important it can’t wait…it probably can.

3) Build a relationship:  Relationships are a 2-way street.  So if the parent asks you to help them out…do the same.  You don’t even need to tell them why.  Just explain the you’re facing a time crunch and could use their help and offload some of your work on them.  If it’s a manager insisting you do it…that’s different and that’s not a working parent-issue at all.  The problem is you have a bad manager and need to deal with that.

4) Just say “no” – I don’t think employees take enough responsibility for their own work/life happiness.  If you think you are being treated unfairly…speak up.  If you don’t want to help out and it’s not part of your job…say “no.”  It is by no means your responsibility to help out all the time.  But if you agree to and then complain about it…that’s just not fair.

That’s my take.  Let’s remember the Family Medical Leave Act is for all – not just parents.  Let’s also remember that working moms take it on the chin from many angles and get paid less.  I’m not suggesting you give them a break, they’ve made their choice.  But I am saying, be honest.  If they are the problem…fix it….and if not, be honest about it.