Great post, Tania! One of the biggest reasons that I've stayed with my current organization for eight years is because they've allowed me the flexibility to be the type of parent I want to be. (They also hired me when I was 7 months pregnant and gave me the paid time off an employee who is there for five years earns, because, they said, "As a new mom, you're going to need it," and I had no idea how much I would, and did.) On my worst days, when I think about leaving (rarely), this is the first thing that stops me: where will I go that will offer this type of freedom? Because it is freedom, in many ways: permission to have a family life while working. (To be fair, I also work while with my family sometimes, and I travel a lot, so it's also permission to have a work life while family-ing. Blurred boundaries, indeed.)
My first reaction was WOW and then I thought, Maybe one day decent employers and public policies will be the norm and these stories will be less astounding. "flexibility to be the type of parent I want to be" is spot on.
Love how you shared Jessica’s work. And I really hope that science fiction future becomes a reality.
I guess there will be fewer offices and shops where can kids can run around, though--so I hope that doesn't turn into even more isolated families.
Great post, Tania! One of the biggest reasons that I've stayed with my current organization for eight years is because they've allowed me the flexibility to be the type of parent I want to be. (They also hired me when I was 7 months pregnant and gave me the paid time off an employee who is there for five years earns, because, they said, "As a new mom, you're going to need it," and I had no idea how much I would, and did.) On my worst days, when I think about leaving (rarely), this is the first thing that stops me: where will I go that will offer this type of freedom? Because it is freedom, in many ways: permission to have a family life while working. (To be fair, I also work while with my family sometimes, and I travel a lot, so it's also permission to have a work life while family-ing. Blurred boundaries, indeed.)
My first reaction was WOW and then I thought, Maybe one day decent employers and public policies will be the norm and these stories will be less astounding. "flexibility to be the type of parent I want to be" is spot on.
That’s amazing Sarah. Man I wish more places understood that.
Me too. I know how lucky I am.