https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:28:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1071347 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 06:42:09 +0000 Cole 1071347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am thankful that my husband's office is just very flexible with everyone (or at least his department). He works from home a few times a month, goes in late, takes long lunches or leaves early as needed and those with kids do the same. I suppose what makes it work for them is that all of them work long hours and frequently need to touch base or even work at odd hours or over the weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1071073 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 20:07:21 +0000 Bookish 1071073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've seen it a bit at DH's office. In past years, he would always be the one to work late or on holidays if needed, because he didn't have kids. I didn't mind because it was overtime pay, and this year I had him put in for vacation over spring break ASAP, because all the parents fight over it, and it's DH's turn! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1071052 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 19:39:48 +0000 yellowbird 1071052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm.. this sort of came up in my office recently in regards yo holidays off. We only get Christmas day and new years day off. I requested new years eve and the day after as vacation time. I kind of feel like if you have the time to use, you should be allowed. </p> <p>Apparently, though, we aren't allowed to completely shut down the office except on the actual holiday, so someone has to work... I think that is STUPID!!! I refuse to work around holidays because seeing my family is more important. If it really came down to me being let go because of it, maybe I would need a new job. Glad it's never gone that far!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068519 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:30:56 +0000 looch 1068519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think family obligations include caring for elderly parents and sick partners too, I would not want to work for an organization that didn't provide support for all employees. </p> <p>The thing is you have to ask for what you need and sometimes parents are more aware of their scheduling needs further in advance because things with kids are a little less flexible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068454 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:18:15 +0000 babynumber1 1068454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours really varies depending on your position. If you are salaried (I am) we can come an go as we need, we either use vacation time or make up the time another day. Hourly does not have these perks sine they need a nurse/CNA for the patients. . </p> <p>I am fortunate that my boss has young children, and our CEO comes in a 9 to get her youngest on the bus. It helps to have women in top management that are devoted moms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068125 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:35:01 +0000 Adira 1068125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm... I guess I feel like people with children tend to NEED more flexibility than people who don't, but in general, I think everyone should have the same flexibility. And I definitely don't think people with family DESERVE things more than others - that's just bizarre!</p> <p>The only different treatment I've noticed at my job since becoming a mom is that one of my bosses assumed I wouldn't be able to go on travel for a few days, which is accurate. But he also talked to me about it so if I had really wanted to go and was able, I could have. I was also able to pass out on mandatory training because it would have affected my pumping schedule and my boss okayed me to skip it.</p> <p>ETA: But I think my boss would give the same flexibility to ANYONE. If someone couldn't take the training for another valid reason, he'd be okay with them not taking it. Same with the travel situation. But my company is fairly family friendly and my boss is VERY family friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068091 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:08:21 +0000 Boheme 1068091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've found the opposite to be true in my workplace. Once you have a baby you get 'mommy tracked' and have to bust ass on a daily basis to be taken seriously. I'm going back in a week and a half feeling like I have a big target on my back since I've seen the way new moms are treated for years now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068083 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:57:57 +0000 mrswin 1068083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This actually irks me big time! </p> <p>My DH gets the short end of this stick ALL the time at work! He works shift work with no set days off so while we never expect that he will have holidays off he has been told on more than one occasion that someone else (who asked after my DH) is getting the day off because they have a FAMILY!!! I'm sorry that we have been struggling for almost 2 years to have a child but I don't really understand how my DH and I don't count as a family in his bosses eyes.... makes me have serious rage! :sad: /rant</p> <p>My job is pretty much 180 degrees opposite of what you are describing. We all work on billable hours, so you work you get promoted/bonuses, you don't you will likely be out of a job. However, both of my bosses are extremely flexible, if I have a doctor's appointment and come in late as long as I make my billables no one says anything. There is no special treatment for anyone and I appreciate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068065 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:51:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 1068065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my office people with kids did often set slightly different hours, but we were generally flexible with schedules anyway- so someone could come in and leave an hour early for traffic reasons as much as child care reasons. As for travel or time off, so many people with kids just do what they have to do it would've hard to ask for special treatment, but if you had a good reason most coworkers would try to help you out. So I guess it's more of a colleagues helping each other than policy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068054 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:44:17 +0000 Mae 1068054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really work in a traditional office so I can't really speak from personal experience-- but my husband sort of talks about this a lot (he works for a big corporation). Mostly the special treatment is for people with kids. Most of the women with kids leave early every day (they come in early so they work the "right" number of hours-- except people who work traditional hours rarely actually leave at 5 they stay until they are done rather than rushing out at 3:15, etc). </p> <p>For his office though, I don't think it is so much special treatment as just the office allows people to choose the type of employee they are going to be-- and there are consequences for that. Yes, some people (mostly women with children) punch the clock, do exactly what they have to do and get the hell out of dodge. But they also don't get promoted like those who are more committed to the work do. My husband (and most of the men who have children, it seems) choose/are able to stay until the work is done, work weekends if necessary, and rarely take days off. They've been told they are basically on the management track. </p> <p>To me, it seems appropriate. I think if work is not your top priority that's fine, but I don't think you should expect all the same rewards as those who work harder and longer. </p> <p>(And to be clear-- the gender lines are just how it happens to mostly break down. My DH's boss is actually a woman who works her ass off, but among the others it does seem to break down by gender). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/workplace-treatment#post-1068035 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:37:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1068035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The other thread about the workplace pumping victory had me thinking about life stages and potential special treatment.</p> <p>A long time ago a 20/20 type of show did a segment on childless people vs people with kids in the workplace. A mom featured on the show said she assumed she would get Christmas off because she had kids. Her child less coworkers asserted themselves and said their holiday plans were no less significant and the mom shouldn't get an automatic pass. </p> <p>A coworker of mine years ago was getting married and we were both vying for the top company incentive- a week long cruise. We were neck and neck and he chided me for having to make him work harder. He said he should get the cruise because he was getting married and if I won it I should give it to him for his honeymoon. WTF. He won the cruise himself. I earned a trip to Napa with my bestie.</p> <p>What do you feel about special treatment based on one's life stages? Did your views change as you moved through your own life stages? </p>