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my coworker is using paid paternity leave to work a second job instead of taking care of his baby
Ask a Manager ^ | 8-24-22 | Allison Green

Posted on 08/24/2022 2:02:07 PM PDT by Brookhaven

My company recently expanded its parental leave policy so that anyone, regardless of gender, gets the same, generous leave of six months fully paid. It’s called “bonding leave” so the intent is pretty clear. One of my male colleagues told me very matter of factly that he is intending to take his full leave after his wife’s paid maternity leave is up. But, instead of caring for the baby, he is going to get a “second” job for 6 months and his wife is going to stay home with the baby and take unpaid leave from her job. In effect, he will have two salaries (but work one job), and she will have no salary. They will actually net out ahead financially because he earns more than her. He is actually going to make tremendously more money during those 6 months, because he is going to do an hourly contractor job, since his benefits are paid for by our company.

I’m appalled but can’t put my finger on why this bothers me so much. His point is that our company – a Fortune 500 company with tens of thousands of employees and plenty of money – is not paying a penny more than they would otherwise; he doesn’t want to care for the baby full-time and his wife desperately does, so they are “maximizing utility.” I didn’t want to ask too many questions because it would have been clear I disapprove. Part of it is, I’m a new mom myself but had my baby before the new policy was announced so was only able to take 18 weeks (still generous, but I’m definitely jealous and kind of mad my baby didn’t “count” in the new policy).

(Excerpt) Read more at askamanager.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: parenting
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Summary:

Wife is taking 6 month paid maternity leave. Wife is then going to take 6 months unpaid leave. At that point, husband will take 6 month paid paternal leave offered by his company. Instead of being a stay at home dad, he is getting a job during that six months. This second income is what will allow his wife to stay at home with the child for an extra six months, otherwise she would have to go back to work while the dad stayed home with the child.

Is the dad a good-guy or a bad-guy?

The cost to his company is the same either way.

1 posted on 08/24/2022 2:02:07 PM PDT by Brookhaven
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To: Brookhaven

My question would be: Is this any business of the woman complaining about it?


2 posted on 08/24/2022 2:06:05 PM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: Brookhaven

Is the company offering the leave on their own or forced by the government?


3 posted on 08/24/2022 2:06:52 PM PDT by Truthsearcher
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To: HartleyMBaldwin
My question would be: Is this any business of the woman complaining about it?

He kind of made it her business, didn't he?

Nonetheless, I wouldn't care. Fortune 500 companies are pure evil anyway. They will be offering massive benefits for trannies soon enough as well, so everyone should just milk the system any way they can, until our dying nation finally goes belly up.

4 posted on 08/24/2022 2:07:34 PM PDT by montag813
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To: Brookhaven

That is not okay.

He’s given leave for an intended purpose.

Very unethical behavior. I would not want him on my team.


5 posted on 08/24/2022 2:08:37 PM PDT by TheWriterTX (Trust not in earthly princes....!)
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To: Brookhaven

“I’m appalled but can’t put my finger on why this bothers me so much.”

Rocket scientist.


6 posted on 08/24/2022 2:10:38 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: Brookhaven

“Is the dad a good-guy or a bad-guy?”

Good or bad, the dad is a smart guy.


7 posted on 08/24/2022 2:15:00 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: TheWriterTX

He’s given leave for an intended purpose.
= = =

He is caring for his baby.

Kind of in a tertiary manner.


8 posted on 08/24/2022 2:15:46 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (My /s is more true than your /science (or you might mean /seance))
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To: Brookhaven

He probably ain’t even the father.


9 posted on 08/24/2022 2:16:04 PM PDT by humblegunner (Ain't drownin', Just wavin'...)
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To: TheWriterTX

“He’s given leave for an intended purpose.”

Perhaps, but he would still take the leave one way or another even if he didn’t intend to work 2 jobs. So I’m sure the company couldn’t care less since they will pay either way. And if the company does not care, then why should I?


10 posted on 08/24/2022 2:16:50 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: Brookhaven

Perhaps the husband’s company should verify that he is entitled to the benefit.

My state verified that I was looking for employment while I collected unemployment benefits.

It is dishonest for him to say he is doing one thing and doing another. The company should reconsider a policy that places its employees in this position.


11 posted on 08/24/2022 2:19:49 PM PDT by Tymesup
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To: Truthsearcher

I thought I heard that a company is allowed to terminate you if they find out you’ve been hired elsewhere, even if under the table, for this kind of thing. Or that you owe the money back. I just remember that there was some sort of repercussion for taking advantage of the situation.


12 posted on 08/24/2022 2:19:57 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I wish “smart resume” would work for the real world so I could FF through the Burden admin BS.)
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To: Brookhaven
I would say he is a good guy allowing his wife to stay home with the baby.

He would be an even better guy if he would allow her to do it forever.

Kids, why have them if you do not plan to raise them?

13 posted on 08/24/2022 2:20:10 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (The nation of france was named after a hedgehog... The hedgehog's name was Kevin... Don't ask)
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To: TheWriterTX

“I would not want him on my team.”

I wouldn’t, either. Then again, I wouldn’t want anyone on my team. I hate teams.


14 posted on 08/24/2022 2:20:24 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Sometimes when you get to where you're supposed to be, it's too soon.)
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To: TheWriterTX

What about his teammates that are picking up his slack so he can “bond” with his baby? Bad enough, but they aren’t saying OK so he can double dip!


15 posted on 08/24/2022 2:23:46 PM PDT by clarissaexplainsitall
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To: BenLurkin
>>can't put my finger on why this bothers me

Possibly the scenario of a employee being a trans (fake) female and it’s husband is a trans (fake) male and is the one having a baby.

16 posted on 08/24/2022 2:24:59 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: TheWriterTX
Very unethical behavior. I would not want him on my team.

Agree.

17 posted on 08/24/2022 2:25:05 PM PDT by neverevergiveup
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To: Brookhaven

Welcome to the new normal. “Ubi Mea” was the unofficial slogan of the Chicago City Council, according to Mike Royko. Now it has become the national credo. “In benefits we trust. Leave the debt for the kids to settle.”


18 posted on 08/24/2022 2:29:18 PM PDT by Bernard (“the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God." JFK 1-20-61)
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To: Brookhaven

I’m jealous. I made sure I was in labor on the weekend when birthing our kids, so my husband could be there with me for the labor and delivery. He was back to work on Monday! We had no such thing as parental leave in our day. It was unpaid if you wanted the the time off, or else you took a “vacation” day. Not even sick days were allowed unless you had a real illness. Often needed a doctor’s note to return!


19 posted on 08/24/2022 2:30:28 PM PDT by FamiliarFace (I wish “smart resume” would work for the real world so I could FF through the Burden admin BS.)
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To: neverevergiveup

I wonder if his current company also has any rules about a second job. Mine allows it but it must be approved.


20 posted on 08/24/2022 2:34:38 PM PDT by Freedumb
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