Parents-vs-singles
By Kia777
@Kia777 (40)
United States
October 7, 2009 3:56pm CST
Lets say you and I work together making 75K a year, enjoying what ever it is we do. We are both entitled to sick time and Personal Time Off. I'm a mother(of a disabled child) and you dont have any kids. If the time given to us as PTO is used mainly for my sick child, and you use your time to take off with your spouse, travel or spend the day at the beach, tell me....should parents receive more time off than someone who does not have any children? I think so....
3 responses
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I have a son, but I don't think that I should get any more time off than my single co-workers. Having a child was my decision and I knew that when he got sick or needed something, I would have to use my PTO. Being a parent is a decision we make. It is harder having a disabled child, but I don't think that it entitles us to special treatment. Your single co-worker may have a sick parent that requires extra attention and under your suggestion wouldn't get anything extra. Where would you draw the line?
@Kia777 (40)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Well maybe I should re-word or rethink my ? I posed....I guess I should say dependent. Whether it be spouse, parent or child that needs that extra care. I just strongly believe and hope to advocate for, that those being the sole caretaker of whomever, does indeed need those "extras" in the workplace specifically but even in terms of teh grocery store as well. Teh elderly and kids who need some help shopping around the store for themselves.
my oldest daughter, if she was a toddler, couldnt exactly sit in a typical shopping cart. I think there should be some carts designed for kids, like a lap bar closure instead of the typical swing seat design....
Those in wheelchairs, if they chose, should have the option of having a shopping aid with them. the stores should, on demand, provide someone to assist them in reaching items and accompany them from teh time they req that person through checkout. but in the workplace, as exhausting as it is with the work I do on the phones, I leave my job and go to my kids (who I love so much) but my job doesnt end after clocking out. And yes, it was my choice to become a parent and I embrace it...but i just feel when it comes to pto, caretakers themselves need more pto
My opinion.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I think that the fact that at least here there is the FMLA Act makes up for the fact of the difference between a mother and a person that doesn't have children. I don't think that they should specifically have to budget additional time off for a mother than for a single in so many words. Family, Medical Leave would allow you to take off for your daughters appointments. It would allow you to make sure that her needs are met. And hey, if you actually have a salary job, it wouldn't even hurt your income.
@jacobsguardian (108)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I think if the parent can provide a valid doctor's excuse then maybe it shouldn't count towards their personal time off. But, by the same token, I don't think parents should get extra days just because they have kids.
