• DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone
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    9 days ago

    People saying that kids are important to society so we should allow parents extra flexibility, it rests on the assumption that what non parents would be doing with that flexible is less important to society. What if I’m giving blood, or helping an elderly parent, or volunteering at a homeless shelter? It’s hardly the employers role to judge pass judgement on what is a worthwhile use of time.

    • takeda@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      9 days ago

      Actually many companies offer time off for these kinds of activities. My current company does and I saw it in previous ones as well.

      This sounds like a hypothetical, because if you were involved in those activities, you likely would know about it.

      • DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone
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        8 days ago

        I give blood all the time and help out with my parents. But I’m retired so don’t have to clear it with an employer.

        • takeda@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          8 days ago

          Ok, but since you didn’t know that means you didn’t do it before you retired.

          Also why does it bother you that someone might get some help for caring for people? Also the example that you gave about elderly parents would be treated the same way.

          The reason employers do this is because they rather give that time to the employee rather than have them quit, because any normal person will put family first.

          • DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone
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            7 days ago

            I did do it before I retired. But not as much. I knew that my employers allowed it, but I also knew it wasn’t universal.

            It doesn’t bother me that someone might get help for caring for people. I’m just saying giving flexibility to parents and not to non-parents assumes only parents are helping people with that time.

    • ChexMax@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      Weird that you think parents exclusively parent? Parents parent, and then we also give blood, help elderly parents and grandparents, and volunteer.

      The flexibility you want to give blood should be given to parents, as well. And then if your elderly parent’s ALF calls saying your mom has a fever and they won’t let her stay there until it’s cleared up, you should be given the flexibility to leave work same as a parent.

      The flexibility afforded parents to prioritize when their kids are sick and it’s illegal to leave them home alone is not the equivalent to volunteering.

      • DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone
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        8 days ago

        I think you’re fighting a straw man there. I’m saying people should be all allowed flexibility at work, and that parents should get special flexibility. As we can’t judge if what someone does with their flexibility is good for society just based on if they’re parents or not.