Freaky Friday; A Day Early
I'm going to probably lose one of my writing jobs. I'm hoping not, but I won't be surprised if I do. I tend to bite the bullet when it comes to agreeing with editors, publications, sources, etc. because money is money and mama's gotta pay the bills. But, on this one, I had to weigh in.
This particular publishing company has several blogs and one of the top editors (who is childless) wrote about his feelings on colleagues who are parents and how they use children as an entitlement for missing work, arriving late or leaving work early. He mentioned - specifically - missing work for teacher-parent conferences, coming in late for the first day of school, and leaving early for Halloween as some of the major offenses in his eyes.
Swear to God. But, the one that totally killed me was that he was pissed that these people take paid days off to care for sick children.
WTF are we supposed to do when our children are sick? Leave them with Carl the Rottweiler? How dare us breeders take the benefits we're entitled to care for a sick child. ARRRGGHH!
I'm really so mad that I'm shaking.
This particular publishing company has several blogs and one of the top editors (who is childless) wrote about his feelings on colleagues who are parents and how they use children as an entitlement for missing work, arriving late or leaving work early. He mentioned - specifically - missing work for teacher-parent conferences, coming in late for the first day of school, and leaving early for Halloween as some of the major offenses in his eyes.
Swear to God. But, the one that totally killed me was that he was pissed that these people take paid days off to care for sick children.
WTF are we supposed to do when our children are sick? Leave them with Carl the Rottweiler? How dare us breeders take the benefits we're entitled to care for a sick child. ARRRGGHH!
I'm really so mad that I'm shaking.
8 Comments:
At 11:58 AM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
From the childfree corner: I've never had a problem with people taking their paid days off (vacation, sick days) for kid stuff. But, I have a serious problem with people taking company time (meaning, they don't use paid time off) to shop for Halloween costumes, cuss out Little League coaches on the telephone and make and print PTA fliers. (All of which I have personally seen.) I realize people have a responsibility to their children. But, in holding a job, they also have a responsibility to that company and the people they work with as well.
Just as there are some people who use their money or gender as an entitlement to do what they want, sadly, some parents use their children in the same way and, sadly, then all parents get lumped into the same category.
Kinda like I'm a godless liberal who believes in killing babies and banning Christmas.
At 12:24 PM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
Oh, Mom...
e-mail me the link to that blog and I'll evicerate the douchebag in your stead.
A parent's first loyalty is always to their family. Always. Make it a contest between work and family and work will lose every time.
Parent employess are more organized when they're on the clock and single employees spend equivelent time chasing tail and playing grabass.
At 12:57 PM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
I am very very blessed to have a flexible job, but also a job where my boss, who happens to be childless, believes that "family comes first." He gives us flex time, and we can use our vacation/sick time any way we need to, for our kids or ourselves.
Like the Life Sherpa says, "those who don't have children shouldn't be giving the rest of us advice."
What if this blogger's mother had not taken time out of her busy life to raise him? What a jerk!
At 1:03 PM, April 17, 2008,
Army of Mom said…
I halfway thought about linking to the blog, but figured that company's server would crash from all the people rushing over to tell this guy what a douchebag he is. I, like you, Momilies, thought the same thing about him and his mom, although my first thought was that, perhaps, his mom did NOT put him first and that is HIS problem now.
And, Dwight, thanks for the offer.
Kat - I know that you, of all people, understand. You were there through me missing work to take my son to specialists' appointments when my husband couldn't get off work. You know without having to have children. I think that may be another reason why it pisses me off so much. I would gladly trade being at work every day rather than having a special needs child who required me missing work to make sure he didn't DIE. *shaking my head*
Karma, baby. That is all I have to say for this guy. Karma.
At 2:30 PM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
I read the story and wondered if this man harbors some hurt feelings from his own childhood? This world is screwy enough, can you imagine if it was full of parents who NEVER put their children first? What a sad story that would be for all our futures.
blessed-with-3 (who isn't afraid to say my kids always have and always will come before any job obligations)
At 3:47 PM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
I just recently became a foster parent to a little boy and this has required me to take time off from my job. Luckily, I work in an office with people who have children so they understand. No job is worth sacrificing my family.
There was a time early on in my career I resented people with children. I used to believe why should childless families be treated any differently than those who had children. Of course, at the time I worked in an office that completely catered to workers with families and heaved all the work on the single and/or childless workers. Very bad situation...I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Luckily, I kicked this job to the curb and now I work in an office where everyone is expected to carry their load regardless of status.
At 5:11 PM, April 17, 2008,
Anonymous said…
Ya know what else, I know you don't smoke and to be honest I can easily go without a smoke break for 8 hrs (of course a lunch break or bathroom break would be nice). But, I believe alot of people smoke just for the few minutes break it gives them from work. I also know its not fair to give smokers a break to smoke a cigarette, but condemn others that take personal calls on the job (well if they are of a reasonable time limit). But, it happens.
Of course, most of my employment experience has been fast food and retail. Which explains the lack of breaks...recognize the similarities though...?
At 7:44 AM, April 18, 2008,
Anonymous said…
Let me just say this guy's attitude is exactly what is wrong with society. Has anyone seen the beating of the poor girl in Florida all over the news lately? You had 8 kids there. Where was their parents? AOM I read your blog I don't know how I found it but I think your awesome and I also have 3 kids 1 girl and 2 boys & just keep doing what you do and your kids are going to grow up to be such awesome members of society! Marianne Ft.Hood TX
Post a Comment
<< Home