Are parent employees really “present” at work?
A while back, we discussed if parents get more time off from work than non-parents, and, Self Made Mom brought up a good point.
She stated in the comments that she feels that she isn’t as “present” at work as her colleagues who don’t have children.
I definitely feel that about myself at times, and, it was especially pertinent when my children were very young. There’s no way not to think about what your children are doing, or, need to do, even when you have a year end report to finish, or, a board presentation.
Even the most dedicated employee has more brain real estate occupied by non-work thoughts after they become parents, it’s natural. I guess it becomes a problem when you can’t, or, don’t compensate for it with your performance. But, there’s no doubt it’s a struggle for parents.
But, can you really be “present”, if your child is actually at work with you?
Cindy at Work/Life Balancing Act brings up an interesting dilemma. She tells us of a woman whose business partner brings her mobile 1 year old to work each day, and, though she “puts in the hours”, the woman feels her partner isn’t actually performing her share of the work when she is distracted by taking care of her child.
Is that mother really present at work?
In my own experience, the times I’ve tried to bring a sick kid to work with me, I don’t really end up doing much of anything. It’s one thing to be distracted by some thoughts, but, it’s another to be doing something entirely different than your job on your employer’s time.
Even though we all have days (OK, weeks) where we’re more productive than others, working is more than just “being there” during the appointed hours.
Tags: Career and Kids, parent-employees, present-at-workRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Work Environment, Work and Life
5 opinions for Are parent employees really “present” at work?
Pete Aldin
Sep 19, 2007 at 2:10 am
Tough one. My wife worked fine with Oldest Son in tow as a baby. Mind you, she was managing a daycare. That probably helped! :)
Loth
Sep 19, 2007 at 4:59 am
Urgh, difficult one. I am a partner in a very small law firm and I have children and know the difficulties involved. I have however never allowed people to bring their kids into work, whether because they are sick or just because school is closed for some reason and they have no childcare. I don’t like doing it but my reasons are, I would hope, sound ones. Regardless of how “present” the parent is, I have noticed that other employees can’t get on with their work to the same extent when there is a child around - everyone feels the need to look out for them and speak to them and find things to occupy them and nobody feels comfortable getting their heads down and working as this feels like ignoring the poor child. And my public indemnity insurers are really not happy about having children in the workplace. So I send parents home instead. So I think I am saying that unfortunately, you can’t really be present at work with child in tow and that applies to the people around you too. (Now I feel slightly ogre-ish!)
Pete Aldin
Sep 19, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Sorry, Elizabeth. I hope my comment above didn’t come across as snippy or something! (Sometimes the written word carries an unintended tone).
Us Aussies love irony and I was just (in my twisted Australian way) supporting the thought that it is very difficult to have your kids at work … unless you are lucky enough to have babysitting provided as we did. :)
Selfmademom
Sep 20, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I really think bringing the kids to work opens up a whole other pandora’s box of being “present”- it’s not really even in the same category as working at home at the counter while your son eats lunch :)
JayMonster
Sep 24, 2007 at 9:56 am
I have personally never found myself to honestly be “present” at work the couple of times that I have been in this situation.
Whether it be trying to find something to occupy them, or them asking questions, etc. While I can get some stuff done, it is certainly far from productive time.
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