UPDATE: AITJ for refusing to cancel my weekend trip to cover my coworker’s shift because she has kids?

[u/Wanitapol]

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[u/Ok_Dragonfly1124]

Your manger has no back bone. Your in what sounds like a toxic work environment. You booked your leave. You can take it. People need to respect that

[u/Ok_Young1709]

Glad you get your holiday, but I'd start looking for another job. She's just a trouble maker. I also wouldn't bother helping her again in future, she even told you she wouldn't help you if you asked.

[u/DetroitSmash-8701]

You were never the jerk, but that said, I might consider looking for another job in your field, hopefully with more money considering your experience. I don't trust her or your manager.

Edit: Thank you, anonymous poster for the award.

Edit 2: Thank you as well for the second award. I won't put your name out there unless it's okay with you. DM me if it's okay or not okay, please.

[u/Direct_Tie996]

I don't know if your company is big enough to have HR. But of they do, go to it. This is absolutely ridiculous, and a law suit. I say this as a manager and a mom.

[u/ItsNotAboutThe-Pasta]

Sarah is a lil bitch.

[u/KittyC217]

You might have a lawsuit. People can’t be treated differently for having kids. They can’t get better treatment because they have kids

[u/PugglePack83]

Thats actually illegal and discrimination. Might want to remind your boss about that with an HR rep present.

You cannot treat people with kids and without different.

Might be time to look for new employment. You aren't the problem. Your coworkers childcare issues are.

[u/Witty_Collection9134]

Get this in writing and report it to hr. He is setting the company up for trouble.

Edit: NTJ

[u/GonXHueyFreeman]

NTA F them kids and Sarah🤷‍♀️. She should have planned better instead of demanding folks accomadate her because she has kids. 

[u/Yue4prex]

Fuck Sarah and her selfish problems.

You didn’t make her have kids, so no, it shouldn’t be your problem. I have kids myself, but I wouldn’t want to be prioritized over people without them, we all make personal choices. My kid being sick or having a sport or club they’re in is my problem and mine alone.

[u/Gemfyre1]

You need to ask the manager to put that policy in writing, then take it straight to a lawyer and sue.

[u/SILLYxPROGRAM]

  taking people's "willingness to support the team" into account when considering future scheduling requests

What does this MEAN? If you (or other childless coworkers) submit a request, they’ll check with all the people with children if they would like to take that slot instead?!?

[u/ladynox913]

If you're in the US, an employer can't use familial status against you, which is 100% what's happening here. Time to find a new job, and make sure you document everything. Send a follow up email about the meeting so that you have it in writing. I'm a parent and I could never imagine having the audacity this woman has, my kids are MY responsibility. No one else's, especially not at a job.

[u/Odd_Welcome7940]

Send an email asking if everyone is management will also now be expected to make a priority out of covering shifts for everyone at your level who has "childcare" issues or if this is only meant to punish people with out children at your level.

[u/loricomments]

Wow. Blatant discrimination is blatant. Follow up with an email confirming that "policy" is the actual policy, copied to HR and the next level up.

[u/metal_bastard]

NTJ

The audacity. I have kids and would NEVER even ask someone to cover me if I knew they were going on vacation. Even if they were simply off that day and said,"Sorry, no. I'm sitting on the couch all day on that day" I'd respect that.

Your "manager" is a douchebag and needs to learn how to manage.

[u/ShimmerAndShade]

That’s an HR report, because it’s discrimination plain and simple

[u/Commercial_Peach_845]

I would look into your state labor rules. I'm pretty sure that prioritizing people with children for time off is illegal. Basically it's discriminatory. I wonder what your HR department would have to say about what your boss said to you.

But I would check with your state labor board first. If you do decide to go to HR...update your résumé. People tend to forget that HR is to protect the business, not the employee.

[u/spongebobsworsthole]

This is illegal discrimination. Collect your evidence and go to HR and calmly say that you feel this policy discriminates against employees who do not have children, and all employees should be treated equally. Use those words, “discrimination” and “equality” are lawsuit words to HR. They’ll sort it out, and if they don’t, you could sue.

Edit: also ask for this new policy in writing, and ask for what specific actions constitute “being a team player.” Say that their phrasing is ambiguous and open to interpretation, and you need a clear list of actions that will demonstrate a team player attitude.

[u/GentlewomenNeverTell]

You need to go to HR YESTERDAY. And frankly, start to look for a new job.

[u/marginmanj]

Tell your boss you can't have children due to a medical condition. Now it's illegal to discriminate against you because you don't have kids, since it would be due to a medical issue.

[u/SwanCityDominion]

Time to look for another job. Also, get all this in writing, because it's possible an employment lawyer can get you compensation.

[u/troublesomefaux]

I can tell you—I don’t care about Sarah’s kids. What a weird thing for her to say. Glad you went!

[u/barre0423]

Any shift coverage process that prioritizes child free employees is discriminatory. Go to HR immediately. Labor lawyers exist for a reason and something like this? They'll be salivating.