Job affecting family

[Anonymous]

I disagree. I would ask if they need you in Halloween. Maybe a non parent can cover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a physician and I work part-time because I have young children. In general my practice is very understanding about that and I appreciate it. I have only been there less than a year so I am still developing some credibility with them. 2 issues came up today that I'm not sure how to handle. The first is that they just asked me to work on Halloween when I am normally off on Fridays. In the past I have sometimes said yes, sometimes said no when they asked me to work extra days. I don't mind working that day but the problem is that they don't just need me to work my regular hours but actually need me to work 2 hours longer which means I won't be home in time for trick or treating. Should I ask if I can work my normal hours instead if staying late?

I'm sure as a part time physician, you still work your butt off. If you don't work Fridays, just tell them when you're available. Can you work Halloween? Sure, I can work, but I am only available 10am to 7pm. We really need someone to say until 9pm. I'm sorry, I have to be home by 7:30pm that day.

Anonymous wrote:The second issue is that they scheduled an evening talk with another doctor (that I had previously said I would be interested in) but they didn't give me much notice which means if I go I have to scramble for childcare. It also means I probably won't see my kids for 48 hrs because I leave in the morning before they get up and I won't be home until after they go to sleep. So I'm not sure what to do. My priority is always my family but I don't want to lose my job either.

This is where you have to weigh the cost/benefit in relation to your life. Will this talk benefit you to the point where it's worth spending 48 hours + scrambling for childcare? I often freelance in my career and just keeping my foot in the door is worth scrambling for childcare and not seeing my child for a period of time. But, there are lots of meetings, events, and classes I miss because I don't feel in that moment the benefit outweighs the cost. Don't feel guilty about it if you do feel it's worth it. But, don't get hung up on it if it's not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. I would ask if they need you in Halloween. Maybe a non parent can cover.

Maybe they can, but why should they? Non-parents can like Fridays and Halloween just as much as parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. I would ask if they need you in Halloween. Maybe a non parent can cover.

Pretty sure they already answered that question. P.S. Non-parents have plans on Friday nights, too.

And Halloween? Really?

[Anonymous]

I work in healthcare business, and meet with physicians often. Dinner meetings are the norm. Can you make an appearance at the meeting & say you have to scoot out early?