Paternity Leave Rant

[wpgflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Sliver

...but wanting what the parent gets makes you look ridiculous to me.

As someone who doesn't have kids, parents wanting something employees who don't have kids can't have make you ridiculous to me. Being a parent isn't something you're forced to do, its an option. If we're talking about someone with a disability (something that's not a choice) it's a whole different ballgame.

Having said that, I'd gladly help out a co-worker who's in a jam because there kid gets sick, etc, etc. But as soon as they develop an entitlement attitude towards it, I really could care less.

[GirlySports]

I think in conclusion it's not a parent or non-parent thing. Even though we've argued about it for the last 9 pages.

At work people will respect you and help you out until you take advantage of them and become an ass about it.

[MarchHare]

So if somebody is putting in a bunch of overtime, their spouse or friends will be fine in their absence.

Please.

Have you never heard of a marriage that ended because one partner was putting in too much OT at the office and not enough time with his or her spouse? I have several coworkers whose marriages ended for precisely that reason.

[Wormius]

It's still a choice though. If you are not getting time in-lieu or OT pay then it's your employer that is screwing you over, not your co-workers with kids, that won't work on Saturdays or put in OT.

Besides, a lot of things can be agreed upon as part of an employment contract that other co-workers wouldn't be privy to, if working X-hours per week or only certain days is part of it, you can probably expect a terse statement from a manager not wanting to discuss it more. It is no different than somebody negotiating a higher salary or more vacation days,but does the same amount of work as you.

Would people form a group and email a manager with a complaint because they don't think it's fair that some employee gets paid more than them? (Union jobs notwithstanding).

If a co-workers lack of presence is causing you to spend more time at work than you want, do something about it. Ask for a raise or more time off per year. Be a squeaky wheel. Don't just complain that you don't like how some co-worker seems to get treated preferentially. They could be taking a paycut to not work Saturdays for all you know.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Wormius

It's still a choice though. If you are not getting time in-lieu or OT pay then it's your employer that is screwing you over, not your co-workers with kids, that won't work on Saturdays or put in OT.

Besides, a lot of things can be agreed upon as part of an employment contract that other co-workers wouldn't be privy to, if working X-hours per week or only certain days is part of it, you can probably expect a terse statement from a manager not wanting to discuss it more. It is no different than somebody negotiating a higher salary or more vacation days,but does the same amount of work as you.

Would people form a group and email a manager with a complaint because they don't think it's fair that some employee gets paid more than them? (Union jobs notwithstanding).

If a co-workers lack of presence is causing you to spend more time at work than you want, do something about it. Ask for a raise or more time off per year. Be a squeaky wheel. Don't just complain that you don't like how some co-worker seems to get treated preferentially. They could be taking a paycut to not work Saturdays for all you know.

One thing being overlooked is that some people really do care about their jobs and their co-workers. I know that if I don't take on the burden, someone else will and I am not the kind of person that wants to screw other people over.

There is also the fact that some people have professional relationships with clients (and colleagues) to protect. This makes complaining or turning down work difficult. If you let a client down, your name will be associated with that failure even if you eventually leave the company. Some industries are "small worlds" in this regard.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

One thing being overlooked is that some people really do care about their jobs and their co-workers. I know that if I don't take on the burden, someone else will and I am not the kind of person that wants to screw other people over.

There is also the fact that some people have professional relationships with clients (and colleagues) to protect. This makes complaining or turning down work difficult. If you let a client down, your name will be associated with that failure even if you eventually leave the company. Some industries are "small worlds" in this regard.

That's still all an issue though between you and your employer - not your peers.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

That's still all an issue though between you and your employer - not your peers.

I think it's both. You shouldn't have to rely on authority to put their foot down. Just because peers can get away with taking advantage of others, it doesn't mean they should.