Hellobee Boards

No. I'm in a weird situation maybe because when I joined my company, it was still technically a startup, everyone was fairly young, and no one had kids. When people started having kids, many of us cut hours or shifted them, but everyone kept us the same amount of work because our group was still so small that it's not like anyone could shift any of our work to anyone else. These days, we have alot of younger people without kids working here, but they take their cue from the older folks who have been here longer. We all used to work longer hours in the beginning, but now most of us work shorter hours, including the people without kids, since they just follow the same schedule as the people who have been here longer.

I'm saying overall yes. I work in law and in a team setting. During busy season there is a set amount of work that needs to get done by a set date. It's a collective effort to get it done. I agree some of it is perception. I go in early and most people stay late so maybe they think I don't work as many hours. Or, I try to be as productive as I can because I know I have to leave at a certain time, whereas I know other people do slack during the day. BUT, I know there are likely times where I can't do OT or stay late or last minute things come up someone else has to deal with. But it's not a daily occurrence. On other occasions people have personal things come up where I cover too.

My previous employer was more family friendly and people with kids definitely didn't get put on overnights or weekends unless they asked to be. Everyone knew that having a kid was the best excuse to get out of stuff.

I would have to say yes to this. I was given work that others couldn't do because of their kid responsibilities. They had more leeway than I did. Just how it was across several offices I've worked at. On the hand, I also advanced faster and farther in my career because I could focus on it. Not saying that others with kids were less focused, it's just how things progressed for me among my peer group. I'm grateful for that time of being able to say "Yes!" to whatever came my way. (Well, saying no wasn't really an option!)

After I figured out a few things in the world of work, I eventually took "meternity' type sabbaticals (of course I didn't call it that! totally ridiculous!) that led me to take extended travel, meeting DH and ultimately many more job offers... I say "meternity" type because I did observe from other women and men taking sabbaticals and leave and career breaks for family reasons (of varying sorts) that it wasn't going to wreck my career to step away from work, take care of my personal needs (like finding love!) and pursue other things for awhile. Work was always going to be there.,

This might be an unpopular sentiment but I think this "meternity vs. the moms" thing is a bit funny-sad. That writer really stepped in it with moms (total click bait!) but I also think there is an unseen, unheard side of our childless friends and coworkers that she reflects. Everyone just wants to be seen and feel supported despite our family-making choices (or lack thereof, for some).

@Amorini: thank you for what you said. Some times, it isn't a choice not to have kids, it doesn't always come easily. And I have to say, dealing with infertility, it can really feel like adding salt to the wound when I have to cover for coworkers with kids just because I don't have them. My time isn't seen as as valuable. I completely understand that I'm more sensitive because of my circumstances right now, possibly unfairly so, but it is making sure that if I am blessed with a family someday that I will make sure to keep the work equitable for future coworkers without children.

This happens at my job. A couple- few times a year we have to work weekends. Those with children always opt out. It's been fine since those without kids or adult children don't mind going, but at this point it's just become a habit.

Otherwise, I think those with kids and without kids enjoy the same perks of a flexible schedule. Managers know those with kids leave early to pick up their kids. Managers know those without kids leave early to beat traffic. Either way thede us so much work to do once everyone gets home.