In a surprising and controversial move, the government has introduced a new national holiday that has left parents in a frenzy and employers infuriated. The holiday, officially known as “National Daycare Closure Day,” has caused frustration among working parents across the country. This day is chosen randomly each year, without prior notice, and seems to serve no purpose other than to inconvenience parents.
Last week I had to keep home my kid from daycare last minute. I am in EU, I have significant protections. I called my boss and I stayed home with my kid, no problem. I can do this for up to three consecutive days without doctor’s notice, endlessly with doctor’s notice.
In US, during COVID second wave, a colleague of mine had a daughter that got Covid. Then both parents got Covid. When he called to tell HR he had to go to the ER, he still got told he had no sick leave, he had to show up at work (in person, with Covid, a sick wife and a sick kid). This was as a research fellow in one of US top universities, by the way.
Situations differ wildly, let’s try to not judge too quickly.
What do you mean by “research fellow”?
It is extremely hard for me to believe this. This is totally counter to my experience. Any salaried professional at my r1 research uni, even down to the lab assistant, can pretty much set their own schedule.
America has a lot of problems, but they are largely relegated to the shitty jobs.
I mean postdoctoral researcher with teaching duties. For the research part, I agree, but teaching was at a fixed time and in-person.