In reference to today's informal study- I am interested in how the responses varied by type of workplace, and the responses of workers with children. I would love to see more on this issue, and others relating to flex time, work/life balance, the way the US is sadly lagging behind other nations in this area...
We have flextime for everyone in our dept, but not the company (says HR: "We think it would cause problems. We don't trust them." We've never had an issue because we have things called ground rules.)
People with kids do use it more, yes. But I have used it several times for things both emergency and non-emergency ("I feel a bit icky today, I'm gonna work from home...")
And you're right, when everyone gets it no one resents it.
BB, I'm going to do a more formal survey, because I honestly just emailed a few people I know without kids and asked them about the issue to see if I was looking at isolated incidents or perhaps something more widespread. I'd heard this sort of grumbling before while I worked outside the home too. But basically, the folks I queried all had no children, and all had felt some degree of resentment about "covering" for people who had kids in the past IF they were not allowed to flex their time in th same way. However, at one person mentioned that her current workplace had flex-time for everyone and that she no longer felt this way.
Wearing my new-parent-perspective hat again... (and also possibly my usual rose-colored glasses which let me assume positive intent as much as possible)
"Family Guilt-ed" said the boss commented on his son missing him - after saying that, did the boss up and leave right at 5, or give more work to FG than normal? Obviously I can't tell the tone of voice or history of how boss relates to others.
But, instead of announcing an excuse to shirk work, might he have just been "thinking out loud"? A kid is such an all-consuming huge thing in your life, it's hard to keep them out of your thoughts. And if I care so very very much about my baby, surely the rest of the world must care some too, and want to hear all about her?
The answer of course is "not really, no" but it's hard to say that tactfully, especially to the boss. And sometimes it just makes the parent feel better to be able to mention their kid, to remind themselves that they have not forgotten about what's important and that they are away for a good reason (roof over head, food on table, insurance card in wallet, sanity of parent getting to talk to adults, etc.).
Why can't I see your comment here, Anne P? Haloscan is being a pain. In any case, I read it, and see it in the side column, so I'm going to assume your comment will appear above mine, and all will make sense.
I do think that the boss in question was thinking aloud, which is a reasonable thing to do (sometimes). There is more history here with the boss than I can print, but let's say that this is not the fairest, most just workplace for any number of reasons.
Commenting by HaloScan
