Emily Olle: Flexible work is great – if you’re a parent. But I’m sick of working for other people’s kids

Flexible work arrangements have become commonplace for parents. But if mums can head off early for school pick-up, the rest of us deserve the same, writes Emily Olle.

As childless, wide-eyed young people in the workplace striving to impress, those of us without little gremlins by our sides often bear the brunt of the workload lifted off the shoulders of kid-burdened colleagues.

We get loaded with anything and everything as others flit in and out of the office.

Melissa needs to leave at 4pm for school pickup. Mike can’t cover Saturday, he’s got netball drop-off. Susan will be offline from 11am to 3pm every day for lunch duty.

Sunday shifts for Jeff? Absolutely not, he’s headed to the zoo for Milly’s third birthday.

But Bella; fun, single, childless, hardworking Bella – you’ll cover it, right?

Flexible working arrangements seem like a pipe dream for those of us without kids, as parents come and go while we work the overtime or clock in at 9am on the dot, day-in, day-out.

And let me tell you, my patience is wearing thin.

It’s no secret that non-parent workers are coveted by employers.

In fact, a survey of 500 Australian employers by workplace management consultancy Kronos found that 40 per cent preferred workers without children, due to the belief they would be willing to work extra hours.

We’re often expected to work awkward shifts and public holidays, log more travel and take extra overtime because it’s assumed we don’t have the same responsibilities as parents. In the minds of many former bosses, my only commitments outside of work were brunch, shopping and maybe the (perhaps too) occasional pilates class.

Frivolous, inconsequential activities that take second place to the rite of parenthood.

In some ways, this is true. Young people do love brunch.

People without children often bear the brunt of the workload lifted off the shoulders of kid-burdened colleagues. Picture: iStock

But we also have medical appointments, friends, social lives and hobbies that are no less important than running little Timmy to soccer practice twice a week.

The Covid pandemic has also completely changed the way we work – and amplified tension between parents and non-parents.

Where office hours were once sacrosanct, there are now more employees than ever logging on from home. It was once unthinkable to hear a colleague say “sorry, just give me five, quickly throwing on a load of washing”, or “can’t make this meeting, the kids are being a nightmare”. Now, it’s commonplace.

Using your real, human vocal cords to chat with colleagues can feel like a thing of the past – the best you get is a floating headshot popping up in a chat bubble while those at home wrangle the little ones.

But who’s taking those notes for the parent who missed the meeting or getting thrown the extra task at 5pm?

That’s right. It’s us.

Who’s taking notes for the parent who missed the meeting because they were working from home? Picture: iStock

Don’t get me wrong. Flexible work hours are a crucial tool in allowing those who choose to be parents to return to work and, in turn, take on the gender wage gap.

We live in a society that, particularly as a woman, celebrates partnership and parenthood above all else as the pinnacle of our greater purpose. In many ways, women aren’t seen as true contributors until they have a child on one hip. Not only is this absurd, it hurts parents and non-parents alike.

If anything, we need more flexibility for those tackling the seemingly-impossible task of balancing a career with raising a mini-me. A 2019 report into gender equity revealed normalising flexible work was key to improving the career progression of women and increasing the number in leadership roles.

This also applies to men. With 64 per cent of all families now having both parents in the workforce, allowing fathers the chance to work from home is just as important in balancing the scales of gender inequity. But if a colleague is afforded a 4pm finish, then why do the childless feel insane for asking to come in at 9:30am so they can attend a doctor’s appointment?

Are our interests invalid because we haven’t procreated?

For the women (and men) who may choose not to or do not have the option to become parents, when does their recompense come for the extra hours they’ve logged for other people’s children?

It’s not about working less. It’s about working in a way that suits you. In fact, flexible work has been linked to improved productivity, wellbeing and employee retention.

So, to all the employers out there, I’m sick of carrying other people’s kids on my back. It’s time to let me go to brunch. Whether or not I’ve chosen to reproduce.

No, I’m not staying back for you. Picture: iStock