Joan C. Williams, Professor of Law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, has published an eye opening 52 page report titled, "One Sick Child Away From Being Fired." The report gives examples such as, a customer service representative was fired when she left work unauthorized because her pregnant teen daughter went into labor, a female telephone employee was fired for using the company's phone equipment to check on her young children at home, one of whom was asthmatic.
I hear this and it makes me cringe. I just stayed home yesterday with my son because he had a stomach virus. Yes, I worried about the work I was going to have to catch up on upon my return, but I surely didn't worry about losing my job! I'm not in a union, and I don't hold a high profile position, but I work for a company who understands how families operate. Professor Williams blames the media for the inaccurate reports of "work-life balance." She says the majority of the media describes this as professional mom's having trouble creating fulfilling roles both at home and at work.
But, the media categorizes all working moms as having some flexibility, but in reality, most working class women have no flexibility.
How many of you have the option of leaving for an hour to see your child in the school play? Or how many of you have the option to leave early when the school calls because little Johnny has a temperature? Some moms have to scramble to make arrangements for the child to be picked up, or beg their boss for understanding. I say ridiculous, and the 1993 Family Medical Leave Act is only eligible for workers who have been with a company that employs more than 50 workers for more than 12 months. Women's eNews suggests that only 50% of the working population are in this position.
Unions do save some workers because they will file a grievance if your fired without good cause, but the Department of Labor says 87.5 percent of the US labor force was not unionized in 2005.
It's a vicious circle that needs to be brought to the attention of the law makers, so proper policy can be put in place.
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