When family needs clash with workplace needs

Judging from a lively discussion on CincyMoms (http://cincymoms.cincinnati.com/f/ShowThread.aspx?tid=49780&cid=15&fid=94&pid=1), the issue of how family commitments are treated in the workplace is a very hot topic indeed.

Last week I wrote about what's known as 'maternal profiling,' discrimination based on presumptions that mothers won't be as committed or as conscientious as other workers.

CincyMoms bloggers shared experiences of being told by employers that mothers shouldn't be in the workplace, being warned by law professors not to wear their wedding ring to an interview, and of working through lunch hours and taking work home so nobody would think they were slackers.

Just as painful to read are instances of childless workers who felt they were exploited because they were expected to work late when colleagues left to pick up their kids or who were invariably asked to work holidays or otherwise pick up the slack.

These are issues that pit people against each other and leave festering bitterness and resentment. They lead good employees to leave jobs they need, and force employers to play air-traffic controller in juggling schedules and needs of employees with competing interests.

Difficult, but worth the trouble of establishing fair policies and practices -- bloggers who felt their employers cared about their personal situations and tried to be fair to everyone were grateful and loyal.