Your Most Pressing Work Questions Answered

It's never been easy to juggle the demands of a job with the needs of your family. But in today's economy, with so many companies cutting back and laying off, it can be particularly daunting to tell your boss that you have to leave early because of a childcare emergency -- let alone to attend the preschool sing-along. Even in tough times, though, you can be a reliable employee and a good parent. Our experts have great advice to help you find the balance.

By Josh Garskof; Photo by Robyn Lehr

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Need a Mental-Health Day?

Q. My daughter has been waking up with nightmares for more than a week. As a result, I'm physically and emotionally exhausted. Is this a legitimate reason for me to take a mental-health day?

A. Go ahead and call in sick. After all, it's the symptoms, not the diagnosis, that count. Physical exhaustion and the stress of comforting a hysterical child night after night can make you groggy, cranky, achy, and queasy -- the same way you'd feel if you were getting a bug. And those are absolutely legitimate reasons to stay home. "You wouldn't share the gory details if you couldn't go to work because of diarrhea," says Gabriela Cora, MD, a psychiatrist and executive coach in Miami. In fact, by staying home and taking a nap, you reduce the chances that your weary immune system will lose out to a contagious bug. That said, don't make a habit of calling in sick like this. You don't want to be truly ill next month and find yourself with no days left to take.

Next: What About Paternity Leave?

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Comments

Comments (4)

stargazer1914 wrote:

About time. My co-worker had to pump in her car.

3/2/2012 02:27:46 PM Report Abuse

andreagaddy wrote:

WHD Fact Sheet #73, Break Time for Nursing Mothers under the FLSA. Employers are req�d to provide "reasonable break time for an employee to express milk for her nursing child for 1 year after child's birth each time such employee has need to express the milk." Employers also req�d to provide "a place other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express milk." Signed into law 03/23/10 (P.L. 111-148).

3/2/2012 10:09:46 AM Report Abuse

saegraham wrote:

Several studies I've read suggest that while women suffer from competence/care judgements at work the second they become mothers, men actually benefit from their status as family men provided they don't do 'too much' taking leave etc.If he's concerned about his standing, perhaps take a week and hire a post partum doula to help mom. They also help with chores, cooking, lactation advice for pretty reasonable fees. Good luck!!

10/22/2010 01:46:31 PM Report Abuse

lauashcun wrote:

With the new healthcare act it is mandatory for employers to provide space for women to breastfeed!

7/2/2010 12:00:54 PM Report Abuse

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