The Office Kid Kit

[Ben]

Me and a few of the people in my office always get stuck on last minute travel, after hours work, etc. because we're single. I'm sure many of you are in the same boat.

Why didn't I think of this?

http://www.theofficekid.com/

[Devonai]

Interesting idea, but how could you possibly get away with this?  Doesn't HR in most companies know your dependent status?

[Ben]

Interesting idea, but how could you possibly get away with this?  Doesn't HR in most companies know your dependent status?

Well, pretty much you couldn't, but it's a fun idea. :)

[cambeul41]

On the other hand, do you want to put yourself on the "Mommy (~ Daddy) Track?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommy_track

[230RN]

Fake witness subpoena?

"Oh, I can't go.  I've been meaning to tell you,  I've got to appear as a witness in court that week."

Reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld's Rolodex of excuses as to why he couldn't have dinner (or whatever) with someone he disliked.

[Ben]

Fake witness subpoena?

A couple of times a year I take a big stack of no longer needed confidential documents to the shredder at the office and spend a good 30 minutes shredding stuff. One of my favorite replies, especially to someone new, when asked what I'm doing:

"I've been deposed to a Federal hearing in DC because of 'that thing'. You should really go through your documents too..."


 

[AJ Dual]

LOL...

A fake kid to get out of some onerous travel?

You just need to find the family-man who'd JUMP at the chance for a red-eye flight, waiting around in airports, a crummy hotel, all for some unimportant meeting in another city, because he'd be ALONE for a day or two, a little creative fibbing that "he can't get out of it" is all that's needed.

[RevDisk]

Yep. Very familiar with that one. I've brought it up directly and brutally.

"Can you do project XYZ this Friday night?"
"No."
"What?"
"I did the last three. Is there a reason why Adam, Bob or Charlie cannot do it?"
"Well, they have kids. Bob's kid's school talent show is Friday."
"I have a date with a former model and a very nice nurse this Friday. Which is a more important event?"
"Wait, AND? Back to back dates?"
"Na. Same time. So, which would you be doing? System maintenance, or date?"
"...  Okey, Adam or Charlie can do it."

Being single or without kids is a legit way of being discriminated against. So, don't tolerate it.

[brimic]

I wish that sort of thing could have gotten my wife out of traveling so much.
She had to travel to Pennsylvania 4 days a week for most of a year, the assignment just ended a little over a month ago.
Though I will admit that it was real nice to have the place to myself with the kids 4 days a week- no bickering, fighting, griping, just quiet after the kids went to bed.

My wife was stressed out, but I really didn't have too much sympathy for her- she wanted the job with all the extra pay.

[KD5NRH]

Doesn't HR in most companies know your dependent status?

Depends on how far removed HR is from your direct supervisor.

Also, these days, it's not that uncommon for someone to have a more-or-less off the record kid or two.  For specific days, that's even more powerful.  Don't want to work late on Friday?  Tell them Friday evening is the only time you get to spend with your kid.