is it embarrassing for a man to call out of work to care for his kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

i am essential personnel and my husband is a fed. his boss is a single woman without children.

my DH feels uncomfortable/embarrased about calling out of work when he has to cover my essential shifts - like tomorrow.

his prior boss was a woman with a child and he felt much more relaxed when he had to take off for something like this

it is very rare that he has to cover me, b/c i can usually switch a shift when we see problems like this arising, but tomorrow will make the second occurrence of him calling out due to childcare issues in under 2 weeks.

You both work for the government -- who gives a shit? People managing real businesses have real problems. You don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

i am essential personnel and my husband is a fed. his boss is a single woman without children.

my DH feels uncomfortable/embarrased about calling out of work when he has to cover my essential shifts - like tomorrow.

his prior boss was a woman with a child and he felt much more relaxed when he had to take off for something like this

it is very rare that he has to cover me, b/c i can usually switch a shift when we see problems like this arising, but tomorrow will make the second occurrence of him calling out due to childcare issues in under 2 weeks.

You both work for the government -- who gives a shit? People managing real businesses have real problems. You don't.

Fuck off and move someplace without a functioning government. Hell move to China where they have a great security state but no functioning EPA and see how you like that.


Back to OP, I think it's pretty accepted even at high levels that you have to cover sometimes.

[Anonymous]

I don't think he should be embarrassed. My husband is a VP at his company but he still takes turns with me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes.

Can you explain why you said yes? Because I can't think of a single justifiable reason that would warrant this response. The question is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

It is embarassing for your husband, he told you so. But, he needs to get over it.

[Anonymous]

He is not embarrassed, he feels his boss thinks he is a slacker. OP was he embarrassed before with the old boss, no. New boss(single woman) and he says there is a problem at work. Does not sound like embarrassment. Read http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/453334.page
Subject: Female company president apology to working moms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is embarassing for your husband, he told you so. But, he needs to get over it.

Yep, time to grow up, DH.

I'd express sympathy that DH feels uncomfortable and then go about my business. File this under: Not my problem.

[Anonymous]

DH finds it awkward to call in sick for work. I've had several co-workers who have their wives/mothers call them in sick.

[Anonymous]

OP here - it wasn't an issue with the prior boss. I'm guessing the new one is giving off negative vibes - he can't put his finger on it exactly.
I am not fed. I am a critical care physician.

[Anonymous]

OP here - it wasn't an issue with the prior boss. I'm guessing the new one is giving off negative vibes - he can't put his finger on it exactly.
I am not fed. I am a critical care physician.

[Anonymous]

Does she seem annoyed? Can he work from home?

[Anonymous]

It is embarrassing that your husband lacks balls.

See, I was going to say it's embarrassing not to man up about your responsibilities as a father. But this is more succinct.

[Anonymous]

^^^

Especially as a fed. Isn't a family-friendly workplace the whole reason half the civil service is there? (At least the ones who fled there from the private sector?)

I assume he's not SES, political appointee, etc., or this would be a different conversation.

[Anonymous]

You both work for the government -- who gives a shit? People managing real businesses have real problems. You don't.

Fuck off and move someplace without a functioning government. Hell move to China where they have a great security state but no functioning EPA and see how you like that.

NP. I'm sympathetic to your point, but doesn't DC pretty much qualify right now? At least Capitol Hill sure does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Men who are embarrassed by this are dicks.

+1