Why don't WOHMs fight for better work conditions? Discuss.

[Anonymous]

Other countries have -
Paid maternity leave for at least 6 months to a year
Paid paternity leave
On side childcare
Nursing and pumping areas at work
Sick nurse provision
Equal pay
Flexible schedule and
Remote working


Why are WOHMs not working hard to get these laws passed so that all women have real choices?

[Anonymous]

Really?! Because we are just trying to make it through the day.

[Anonymous]

What have you done, OP? What do you propose working mothers should be doing that they are not? What do propose women who are not working now, for whatever reason, should do to help?

Specifics please.

[Anonymous]

I have exactly one vote. And despite voting in every single election I've been eligible to vote in since I turned 18, my one vote isn't enough to do any of the above. Hell, it couldn't even stop Trump.

[Anonymous]

Look at any - ANY - employment type post here and there will be an endless string of comments about how people need to suck it up, you're lucky to even have a job, everyone else manages, why can't you, etc etc etc.

The mentality is so skewed it's frightening. It really makes you appreciate how hard people who organized unions and fought for better conditions had it. There will always be people who say sit down and stop agitating, it could be worse and you need to be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have exactly one vote. And despite voting in every single election I've been eligible to vote in since I turned 18, my one vote isn't enough to do any of the above. Hell, it couldn't even stop Trump.

You could make changes at your company.

You have more than just your vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Other countries have -
Paid maternity leave for at least 6 months to a year
Paid paternity leave
On side childcare
Nursing and pumping areas at work
Sick nurse provision
Equal pay
Flexible schedule and
Remote working


Why are WOHMs not working hard to get these laws passed so that all women have real choices?

With my first child, I had 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. My husband had 16 weeks of paid parental leave. With my second child, I had 16 weeks of paid parental leave.

We had preference at a daycare that was near his work but not mine and opted to send our children to a daycare near our home.

Every place I've worked in the DC area has had a designated area to pump that had (at the very least) a comfortable chair, a small fridge, and a door that locks.

I don't know what "sick nurse provision" means.

I work in a primarily female field and all of my supervisors until this year have been women, as well as the majority of my colleagues. We are paid on a standard scale based on years of experience and special credentialing.

My schedule is flexible and I can work from home whenever I want.

I am not "working hard" to get these conditions for other women because I am not a lobbyist for issues related to maternity coverage. I would support increased taxes to fund all of those things. Would you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have exactly one vote. And despite voting in every single election I've been eligible to vote in since I turned 18, my one vote isn't enough to do any of the above. Hell, it couldn't even stop Trump.

You could make changes at your company.

You have more than just your vote.

Umm, okay. Because we are all directors, CEOs, etc. who have the power to make changes in our companies. /s

[Anonymous]

I am part of a group in my workplace that is trying to improve working conditions at our agency. We got a mother's room and a subsidy for childcare.

In terms of maternity leave, it is much more difficult, since I work for the feds. What we have done is tried to support a culture where management lets pregnant employees accrue comp time, so we can try to maximize the leave we have to take once we have the baby. It seems to be making a difference here and there.

So to answer your patronizing question, OP -- some of us are trying to work for these changes, on top of holding down a full-time job and trying to raise our kids.

[Anonymous]

Op, whats your situation? Do you work? Are you the CEO of a progressive company?

[Anonymous]

My #1 that I'd like to fight for would be for schools to match work hours. More free time, recess and longer lunches for kids, and kids would be in school for 8 hours a day. Then they'd get off the bus at the same time I'm getting home from work.

As it is now, my kid goes to school from 9-2:30. I have to pay for BOTH before care and after care and there aren't enough spots for all the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am part of a group in my workplace that is trying to improve working conditions at our agency. We got a mother's room and a subsidy for childcare.

In terms of maternity leave, it is much more difficult, since I work for the feds. What we have done is tried to support a culture where management lets pregnant employees accrue comp time, so we can try to maximize the leave we have to take once we have the baby. It seems to be making a difference here and there.

So to answer your patronizing question, OP -- some of us are trying to work for these changes, on top of holding down a full-time job and trying to raise our kids.

I should add -- I do not begrudge those who don't actively participate in this struggle because I recognize I don't know the particulars of anyone's situation.

[Anonymous]

It is a societal issue, the burden of which falls on working mothers in a disproportionate way.

All workers should be fighting for this, not just mothers.

[Anonymous]

I vote from me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have exactly one vote. And despite voting in every single election I've been eligible to vote in since I turned 18, my one vote isn't enough to do any of the above. Hell, it couldn't even stop Trump.

You could make changes at your company.

You have more than just your vote.

How? How do you propose I do that?
I'm a cog in a wheel at a heavily male-dominated company with more than 40k employees. I'm not even middle management level. I can fill out all the employee surveys and suggestions ever, and I can guarantee you, no one cares.