How Flexible is Your Job As a Parent?

Working parents typically have a full day put in before they even start work for the day. Getting kids up and ready to head to school or the sitters can seem like a full-time job in itself and for many, the struggles and stressors don't end there.

Often sick kids will cause parents to miss work and too many issues can pose a problem at your job. Parents who frequently have to miss vital hours of the day on the job may end up suffering job loss if the absences are too frequent or too disruptive. For chronic medical concerns and other caretaker obligations, parents can explore the Family and Medical Leave Act which is a federal regulation that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific amount of time without the risk of losing their jobs.

However, most parents battle more minor incidents that still need their attention at home, meaning more lost work hours that may not qualify as excused absences. While some working parents do have the ability to have other family members step in, those that do not face tough choices, especially single parents.

While many employers are becoming more open-minded about flexible working hours and placing a priority on family, there are still some with strict rules about lost work time. It may be worth your while to review your company's policy on unexcused absences or leaving early to tend to child care matters. What you don't know may be putting your job in jeopardy.