I recently had a child and worked out an arrangement with my manager to work from home 1-2 days/week.

Question

I'm the only female on my team and none of the co-workers have a similar arrangement. There have been discreet comments made about my schedule (mostly in a joking way) but it still feels uncomfortable. Has anyone else ran into this?

Anonymous · Answer

I totally experienced this too. F- them...is what I say. Just do your job, do it well, and let them talk. People are going to talk and find ways to make you feel uncomfortable in so many situations as you rise up the ranks at work. So instead, just OWN it. and remember that when you do, you're creating opportunities for other women to do the same. - Romy

Anonymous · Answer

Yes I have, and there are other women in my team, just not mothers. I completely understand it feeling uncomfortable since I believe that behind the 'jokes' there is a 'you are not working as hard as me' kind of sentiment. But, for me, I just say things like, 'you could do it too'. My company is great at flexible hours, and I personally know other people, men included, that do similar arrangements, and it doesn't have to be about being a parent. Some people do it because they live far from their offices and want to reduce time-in-car/carbon footprint, or they like having a day or two to be quiet and get some work done in a home office, or they work with global teams and 'work hours' can be all over the place. In my case, these reasons actually play more into my desire of flexible hours than being a working mom. If your company is allowing you to have this arrangement then it is likely that is a company wide accepted work arrangement, encourage them to do the same if they feel it would benefit them and therefore the company.

I recently had a child and worked out an arrangement with my manager to work from home 1-2 days/week.

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.