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Opinion: Law firms’ flexible working policies – could do better

I agree with a lot of this article - particularly the differences in attitude towards men and women with children. And when I wasn't a mum, I never felt bitter about "having to cover" for those going home to nativity plays etc - I felt sorry for them having to endure such rubbish (this was before I realised that if your own child is in it, it's brilliant!). However, at the risk of being one of those bitchy women who won't help their own, I think a lot of working mums take the mickey. For example, if you are asked to come in on your day off. Nobody is asking you to do it for nothing, you'll get paid or a day off in lieu. But if you are needed for training, then you should be able to arrange childcare with enough notice. I very much doubt that there are many cases where people genuinely couldn't arrange extra childcare with say a month's notice of a training day or the Christmas dinner. I also think that maternity benefits should only be paid for up to two babies. How can employers function when their employees go off for a year at a time several times every 18 months or so? I do believe that dads should be able to share maternity leave, but I don't see why employers and taxpayers should bear the burden of peoples' desire to have so many kids - surely two are enough, and if not, pay for them yourself.

16-Feb-2010

11:08 am