Paternity leave - how did your employer react?

Person_one

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

Yes, lots. Business and personal lives are very different.

They are for some people, the rest of us don't leave our ethics behind when we go to work.

Lovelyjoolz

Person_one wrote: »

They are for some people, the rest of us don't leave our ethics behind when we go to work.

LOL! Try running a multi million turnover company and see how personal and business ethics clash. It can be a considerable burden being responsible for the financial welfare of employees and their families. I work my !!!! off to ensure they can keep roofs over their heads and food in their kids bellies. If I screw up, they become another statistic. If I have to choose one particular demographic over another to ensure that doesn't happen, then so be it. Which is more morally wrong? Risking people's livelyhoods to satisfy an ethical ideal world? Or doing what's necessary to protect the families I care about?

onlyroz

Joolz, I think you're going to be in a shock when men start asking for 6-months leave, as they will eventually.

Lovelyjoolz

Doubtful. As I said before, we don't pay enhanced paternity pay, and 6 months at statutory rates is a hell of a wage cut.

Besides, I love them all dearly, but they are a bunch of chauvanists - not one of them would relish spending 6 months on daddy duties. Bless them!

Person_one

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

Doubtful. As I said before, we don't pay enhanced paternity pay, and 6 months at statutory rates is a hell of a wage cut.

Besides, I love them all dearly, but they are a bunch of chauvanists - not one of them would relish spending 6 months on daddy duties. Bless them!

Do you have to go through some sort of time portal to get to your office?

Lovelyjoolz

Person_one wrote: »

Do you have to go through some sort of time portal to get to your office?

LOL! Unfortunately, no. And what will really scare you is that, in my industry, we're considered one of the more progressive, modern businesses! If you think I'm in the dark ages, you should meet some of my customers. It's like the set of Mad Men (minus the pointy bras).

Person_one

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

LOL! Unfortunately, no. And what will really scare you is that, in my industry, we're considered one of the more progressive, modern businesses! If you think I'm in the dark ages, you should meet some of my customers. It's like the set of Mad Men (minus the pointy bras).

You seem oddly proud of all this.

Don't be.

Lovelyjoolz

Person_one wrote: »

You seem oddly proud of all this.

Don't be.

I think there's plenty to be proud of. I contibute a large amount to the economy and have kept people in jobs during the worst recession the country has ever seen. Are you saying that's *not* something to be proud of?

Person_one

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

I think there's plenty to be proud of. I contibute a large amount to the economy and have kept people in jobs during the worst recession the country has ever seen. Are you saying that's *not* something to be proud of?

Except that's not what I said you shouldn't be proud of, is it?

Nice try though.

No, what you should be ashamed of is your misogynistic attitude, your discriminatory and illegal recruitment policy and your proudly chauvinistic workplace culture.

Lovelyjoolz

I didn't say I was proud that my employees are chauvinists, but I was referring to them being chauvinistic in their private lives which is, frankly, none of my business and not something I should be poking my nose in to. How they live their private lives is nothing to do with me as long as it doesn't impact on their working life. Which it doesn't. Ever.

I'm also not proud that the industry is mysogynistic, but there is little I can do there except beat them at their own game. It's not going to change while 99% of the workforce is male.

I could not have built the business I have if i employed staff who took long periods of leave, often took time off at short notice for family emergencies and weren't as focused on the job as my current employees are. I'm not saying that these things are wrong, just that my business couldnt survive if my staff did these things. I choose the people who are suited to the work. The simple fact is that this work doesn't correlate with the needs of most women with children, which is probably why there are so few in the industry.

It's all very well having discrimination laws, but ultimately, a business always needs to select the right person for the job.