The kids wake up sick but mom needs to go to work. This is the time of year that moms are faced with the dilemma of what to do when the kids get sick.
A new survey sponsored by TempleTouch thermometers shows that while more than 50 percent of full-time working moms take unpaid leave to stay home with ill kids, 1/3 say they have no choice but to send their child to school/daycare even when they’re sick. Thirty-three percent have lied to their employers staying home to care for ill children.
Also, the survey suggests that the weak, slow, recession is to blame for the struggle. Seventy-three percent of moms admitted that they feel more pressure than ever because of the economy, to go to work instead of staying home when their children are ill.
Most common excuses working moms give employers stay home to care for sick children:
• My grandmother passed away
• Death in the family
• I have chicken pox
• I forgot I have a doctors’ appointment
• Complained of a sinus headache
• I need to leave now, or I quit
What Else The Survey Found:
40% of working moms say they do not consider their workplace family friendly
43% of working moms are not allowed to work from home when their kids are sick.
34% admit that staying home with sick kids has caused an argument with a spouse
Here are some suggestions for moms who need fresh ideas on how to tend to their sick children:
– Look into “sick child day care.” These facilities take in sick children and they’re gaining popularity in many areas across the country. They may be run by hospitals or are independently-owned. Do a quick Internet search for a sick child day care near you.
– Talk to your employer. Be honest with why you need to stay home and work out a schedule of time when you can make up the hours or see if there are tasks you can tackle at home.
– Create a network. Prepare a list of neighbors, friends and associates whom you trust to approach now about swapping favors.
– If possible, take your child to work with you. Perhaps there is an isolated area of the office where you can set up shop. It might encourage your boss to send you home.
– Work out an agreement with your spouse/partner to each take a ½ day so you don’t lose a whole day of sick time or unpaid leave.
