Good Mom Meet Good Employee

A female marketing colleague who now runs a medium-sized business told me over lunch recently about a conversation with an administrative assistant that speaks volumes about an-all-too-common working mom fears. The assistant approached my friend to share her fear that her new boss, a man, might not support her flexible schedule. She explained that her nine-year-old daughter has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The only 35-minute window when the child's medication allows her to concentrate enough to do homework is between 4-4:30 p.m. Mom has to be there to help.

"What time do you come in?" My friend asked.

"Eight a.m."

"What time do you need to leave to meet her bus?"

"3:10 pm."

"So, you're asking to leave 80 minutes early each day?"

"Yes."

My friend later told her that it would be fine for her to leave at 3:10 each day. It would take too long and cost too much to replace her. The company knew she'd make up the work at home, at night. They trusted her. This was confirmed by the boss who allowed the change in schedule.

"What kind of company would we be if we told you that keeping you is not worth letting you leave early?" said my friend.

The employee's eyes filled with tears.

What amazed me about this story is:

1) How hard it is for women to negotiate at work, especially on behalf of their children;
2) How doubly hard it is for women to negotiate with men;
3) How grateful women are when given the flexibility to be good employees and good moms.

washingtonpost.com Update: Leslie has posted a response in the comments.

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  May 2, 2006; 7:00 AM ET  | Category:  Flexibility
Previous: Women of the Future | Next: News Flash: Taking Care of Kids is Real Work!

Name:

Comments: