Blogjune Day 23 - I'll share your load If you just call me

So, let's get stuck into this next question: Should parents in the workplace expect non-parents to make concessions for them by being more flexible with work shifts / project deadlines?

I kinda get where this question is coming from, but I have issues with the way it is presented.

Firstly, it shouldn't be about one group of people 'making concessions' for another group of people. We all have commitments in our lives - one of those commitments is our work, another might be our families. If family commitments collide with work commitments, then that worker's supervisor should be managing them in a way that is understanding of their needs, but still fair to their colleagues. This might be in the form of reducing hours and bringing on additional staff. Or it might be in the form of taking their annual leave when they need it.

But that manager also needs to be conscious that there are other staff who may feel like they are 'taking up the slack' from another staff member taking, say, twice the leave at half-pay. Or always getting priority treatment in approving leave during school holidays. If these things are left unchecked, you're going to end up with a team that is resentful of one another.

I guess my point is, ideally as a manager you should build and foster a team that is respectful and supportive of one another's needs, who will be all too happy to support a parent's need to take leave and reduced hours at certain times - and of course the parent would be all too happy to return the favour at another time. That's just good teamwork, after all.