"I have kids! I need to come in late, need more sick time, etc."

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have a vent about coworkers who have kids playing the "Kid Card," by claiming that they have to come in late sometimes, need more sick time, or that it isn't as bad to call out, when compared to workers who don't have kids. Now, I have a child myself, but I have never felt that it entitled me to special treatment at work.

Lately, some coworkers have been calling out, coming late, or leaving work early. They claim that since they have kids, it's "expected" that this should happen, and that the NH should be more understanding, and that they should not be written-up. :madface: Also, they argue that they should get preference for holidays off over workers without kids. (I know this is a big concern around Christmas.) I feel that all workers should abide by the same attendance rules, and that nurses and CNAs who have kids should not, on that basis alone, be "allowed" to come to work late, or have more sick time. What do you all think?

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I have 3 kids and do not agree with playing the "kid card". I do find that I have to use my sick time more for the kids than I do for myself, but that is what it is there for. I was the one that chose to have my kids not my employer or other co workers. They are my resposibilty and no one else shoud suffer because of it. When I take a job I know that while my kids are my life and my priortiy I know that I am expected to perform to the best of my abiltiy for my employer also. Peoply without kids enjoy the holiday just like the rest of us,it should not be expected that they should work because they do not have kids.

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Unless it is written into the policy, then no, it isn't fair to expect more days off or to come in late/leave early just because you have children. I definitely missed more time from work when my children were younger, which I used paid time off for. Needless to say, I didn't have a lot of time to have any vacations back then. I only hoped that my employers didn't see it as "oh boy, she's calling in again" but rather "her kids are sick". But absent is absent, regardless of the reason.

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There are student nurses in my class who are already learning that game. We are supposed to be at our clinical sites by 6:45 in the morning. There are several, always the same ones, who have an EXCUSE as to why they can't be there on time. They KNEW months ago that the schedule would be this way, yet here it is and they expect special treatment?! BLAH. It is a load of crap. I understand things come up, but when the same people are ABUSING the system, it is crap! I have children and a husband too, I don't use them for an excuse for me to be irresponsible in my school or employment.

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I'm on parents side. Bedside nursing sucks because of it's lack of flexability for working parents. How are you supposed to get day care on off shifts, weekends or doubles and especially for mandation? My daughter is a business professional and my niece is a CPA. Both of them working mothers who come in late and leave early and take sick time to be home with ill kids ALL THE TIME(their husbands too). They are off on Holidays, take their vacations in the summer and get unlimited sick time. Their companies are very supportive. In health care you are much more likely to work with people that complain about working parents. Kids are the future of our country, our world, parents have to work and need support. Please if you are a young mother considering nursing don't make the mistake of thinking nursing is a profession where it is EASIER to have husband, children, family. In my opinion it is not. ESPECIALLY if you have a spouse that works a traditional schedule. You won't know how it feels to be at work when everyone in family is sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner until you feel it in you own bones, same goes for being at work when kids are home opening Christmas presents. Both my daughter and my niece have husbands who work for companies that shut down week between Christmas and NY every year. Both my daughter and my niece request that week off and GET IT every year, could you see a nurse doing that. Rest assured if you go into bedside nursing it is most unlikely that you will be ever able to take vacation time around a major Holiday.

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my "kids" are now 22, 18 and 16 --- I NEVER was late because of them. One LTC I go to the 7-3 LPN is ALWAYS late,,,,, no excuse given, but my 2 cents is.... if you know that if you leave home at a certain time, and you are always late.... LEAVE EARLIER!!! If I am waiting for you to come so I can count narcs and go home..... guess what... my time is as valuable as yours (and I am agency, and you better believe if I am on OT because of your staff..... you are paying me for the time!)

Faye

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sorry, but if parents cannot coordinate work w/family life, then please, get out of nursing.

or, find a job that will accomodate your hrs.

i'm tired to death, of this entitlement attitude.

many of us have families, and lives.

one should not trump the other.

it's your job.

and you should do it.

leslie

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I'm all for management being flexible when possible, but also not letting people abuse that. Different people have different circumstances, we aren't all clones of one another. Nursing has to try to be accomodating to families just like other professions have been.

I am opposed to this flexibilty at the inconvenience of people who need to go home, that's going too far. But, whenever possible, taking into account the variables in the lives of nurses is good. Nursing hours are weird, it's not a 9-5 job which makes childcare difficult. 12 hour shifts, nightshifts, etc, all make it difficult for parents to juggle. If we want to retain nurses, we need to make things doable for working parents.

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I'm all for management being flexible when possible, but also not letting people abuse that. Different people have different circumstances, we aren't all clones of one another. Nursing has to try to be accomodating to families just like other professions have been.

I am opposed to this flexibilty at the inconvenience of people who need to go home, that's going too far. But, whenever possible, taking into account the variables in the lives of nurses is good. Nursing hours are weird, it's not a 9-5 job which makes childcare difficult. 12 hour shifts, nightshifts, etc, all make it difficult for parents to juggle. If we want to retain nurses, we need to make things doable for working parents.

i agree with this, absolutely.

i'm just saying it is not fair for parents to get all the considerations, while single people are expected to carry the burden.

that's just not fair.

leslie

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Specializes in med/surg.

I'm a parent & wife...I have to scrabble, barter, & confabulate to manage to ensure my child is picked up, dropped off, and just watched while my husband & I work. My husband works PMs & I have been orientating so I alternate all shifts... I make it on time & complete my shift... why should I expect anything less from my coworker? (BTW, there is only 1st shift daycare centers in my area)

Nursing is not the only occupation that requires strange hours or missing holidays... I agree with a previous poster... if you cannot meet you employment obligations then you need to shop for a different position or a different career.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Daycare IS a big problem for nurses, and many other families! What about single parents? I think society needs to band together to help solve this problem that causes so much stress for families. Let's face it, children are being left to fend for themselves all too many times out of necessity! Children of nurses who work 12 hour shifts are taking care of themselves in many cases!

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Daycare IS a big problem for nurses, and many other families! What about single parents? I think society needs to band together to help solve this problem that causes so much stress for families. Let's face it, children are being left to fend for themselves all too many times out of necessity! Children of nurses who work 12 hour shifts are taking care of themselves in many cases!

you think this just happens in nsg?

latchkey kids come from all jobs/professions.

i applaud the industries who provide onsite childcare.

and of course, there needs to be change.

but- i really am focusing on those who play the kid card.

and it does get abused.

leslie

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