Things You'll Need:
- understanding
- good negotating skills
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Step 1
Some businesses allow the employee to use their sick time when their children are sick, some frown on it. Some women have even been let go from their jobs due to their taking time off when their children are sick.
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Step 2
Have you ever been asked in a job interview whether or not you have children? Many women have. Though it may be asked in a friendly manner suggesting a genuine interest in the applicant, which is often the case, it can be asked due to a concern the employer has for hiring a parent of young children. The child may get sick or have a day off school, maybe the babysitter is sick or on vacation. Again, the parent’s first priority is to the child not to their job and the employer knows this.
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Step 3
Here are a few suggestions that may help.
1. Many women decide to take the time off instead of their husband because his day’s pay is worth more than yours. But if he has sick time also, then use it. His priority should also be the children not just the woman.
2. When your school age children are sick their homework is sent home for them. Maybe this can work for you as well, it may be possible for you to offer to take some of your work home and work from home on those days your child is sick. With the internet, fax machines etc. it may be easily do-able. Check with your employer.
3. Many women find other women more understanding regarding their children than a man. Whenever I could, I would always prefer a female boss, especially if she also has young children.
4. Have a back-up sitter just in case.
5. If your child comes home from school or daycare with an illness it’s likely he/she is not the only one. If you take the sick kids one day and another mother takes them on another day it’ll save you both from taking too much time off work.
6. So long as your work is done or your desk covered the employer hasn’t much to gripe about. So plan ahead, make sure your co-workers have some knowledge of your daily duties particularly the essential daily duties. If someone can cover the basics for you it won’t be such a big deal to be off when your child is sick.
7. And finally…some parents will do temp work when their children are young. Working for a temp agency means you work for different employers all the time. You can’t get fired! Some temp agencies even offer benefits.
Comments
Diligent77 said
on 1/16/2009 hmm...good article. Some people tend to think that men have to be "made" to take care of the children...thankfully there are husbands out there that are more than willing to take a day off when the need arises.