What’s Good for the Gander Might Eventually Be Available to the Goose

A friend of mine recently had his first baby.  He’s a middle manager at a good-sized technology company.  My friend made an arrangement with his management to work 4 day weeks for an extended period of time so he could spend more time at home with his child.  This post isn’t about kudos for my friend who wants to take on bigger than usual burden of childcare, this is about the deal he negotiated at work.  My friend is continuing to receive his full salary for 4 day weeks. 

As is obvious from my use of pronouns, my friend is male.  But even if I had found a way to hide the pronoun, has anyone heard of a woman getting such a sweet deal?

Yes, his boss, (probably sternly) said the familiar, “Make sure you get all your work done!”  But he’s getting paid.  Everyone I know, including me, got the pleasure of getting all of our work done for considerably less pay and often no benefits. Just to be clear, my friend isn’t using vacation time here.  His deal to “work longer days”, though like most people working in technology his day pre-baby were essentially endless already.

Am I upset that a man is getting a deal that women never seem to get?  Yes and no.  No, I’m not upset or jealous about my friend’s arrangement.  I’m very very happy for him.  His excitement about his child is wonderful. And I think the arrangement is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family.  But, I’m very sorry for us women who have to continue to doing more for less. 

On the bright side, my friend’s great deal is surely good news because – just a Sandra Day O’Connor made a practice of fighting for equal rights for men to get those laws and traditions “on the books” – this deal, should eventually lead to equal opportunities for women. At least for women within that company and department.  (Of which my friend said there were “maybe 2”. Sigh.)

Comments

[RE]

I love the topic of the post. I think the arrangement your friend negotiated is top-notch and should be seen more frequently in the States. I do have to take some exception to the picture you are painting though. The situation you are describing is extremely isolated and the fact that he is a man doesn't paint (at least for me) a picture of him getting favoritism. For one thing, not many men would even pursue the arrangement so I doubt this is seen with any level of frequency. Secondly, if you want to talk about cushy work arrangements I should introduce you to my boss who after giving birth has taken off a cumulative 5 months of work, 100% paid, while not using vacation time. If it wasn't clear by the phrase giving birth, my boss is a female. I don't see any of my male coworkers getting paid for half the year while not working following any birth, death or other life-altering event. Here's to favoritism on both sides of the gender line!