[Livia]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

But then surely they get paid for whatever hours they do work and you get paid for yours?

Unless you're being forced to work overtime and do other people's jobs? In which case check your job description and pay scale.

It's not about getting paid for hours, Marsh. I'm talking about a career here, not a just a job where you get paid by the hour.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

It's not about getting paid for hours, Marsh. I'm talking about a career here, not a just a job where you get paid by the hour.

Yes, but you specifically just mentioned working until late whilst the person with children "gets to leave early". Well, surely someone else's position/hours/workload is not relevant to yours?

Everybody, even within the same career, is not going to have the same circumstances or always work the same hours.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Yes, but you specifically just mentioned working until late whilst the person with children "gets to leave early". Well, surely someone else's position/hours/workload is not relevant to yours?

Of course it is! If a job has to be finished by a deadline or if you're working on something particular you can't just swan off. Well, all of you can't just swan off.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

Of course it is! If a job has to be finished by a deadline or if you're working on something particular you can't just swan off. Well, all of you can't just swan off.

The workers with kids are allowed to "just swan off"? I doubt it.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

The workers with kids are allowed to "just swan off"? I doubt it.

It has been my experience. Women with young children have felt that they are more deserving to leave than those of us who don't have kids. You doubt it... that's your prerogative, Marshy, but that's been my experience.

[lily.]

Originally Posted by Livia

It has been my experience. Women with young children have felt that they are more deserving to leave than those of us who don't have kids. You doubt it... that's your prerogative, Marshy, but that's been my experience.

I think it depends on the kind of work you do. If you work in a high street shop or a small company, it would make less difference, but if you work in a high-stress job with deadlines and demands, then I expect it would have a negative effect on those left behind to carry the weight/responsibility of the task.

I don't have experience of this, because I chose the stay-at-home-mum path, but I am not surprised by your experiences Livia because I do know a lot of people who want to have it all... and that, in my view, is an unrealistic goal.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by lily.

I think it depends on the kind of work you do. If you work in a high street shop or a small company, it would make less difference, but if you work in a high-stress job with deadlines and demands, then I expect it would have a negative effect on those left behind to carry the weight/responsibility of the task.

I don't have experience of this, because I chose the stay-at-home-mum path, but I am not surprised by your experiences Livia because I do know a lot of people who want to have it all... and that, in my view, is an unrealistic goal.

That's what I'm getting at. I don't have a contract for x amount of hours, in my job I might have to go abroad at a moment's notice or go in to work on a Sunday. It's unrealistic to expect someone with kids would be able to do that, or that they would even want to. If I was in a position to think about wanting kids I might want to take advantage of the offer here, and I might not. It would be my choice. Or I might decide I want to find a job that fits in with having a child. This isn't a 'one size fits all' question.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

It has been my experience. Women with young children have felt that they are more deserving to leave than those of us who don't have kids. You doubt it... that's your prerogative, Marshy, but that's been my experience.

Feel they're more deserving or need to leave earlier than you to pick kids up etc?

[Cherie]

All employees unless they are on zero hours contracts will have their hours of work stated in their contract, any hours worked over and above will be overtime and unless it is agreed that employees have to work a certain number of unsocial hours, then they are at liberty to 'swan off" , just because they happen to be going home to bath the kids makes no difference. The old saying the willing donkey carries the load applies here.