Parents booking time off for the Easter holidays to mind their children is “frustrating” singletons in the workplace.
On Moncrieff today, a report by Henry McKean heard from both sides of the divide as he aimed to explore how tensions over holidays arise.
Newstalk producer Sean Reidy said parents always receive preferential treatment in the workplace and it has “always annoyed” him.
“It’s annoying because you’re always the one who gets asked to work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Stephen’s Day,” he said.
“[Work] might say we’ll have to get X, Y or Z to come in the, who might have children, so it’s very hard to say no to it – how do you say no?"
Confronted
Mr Reidy said he has just been confronted with this problem again as the Easter holidays approach.
“My best friend is getting married this weekend and I wanted to take the time off to go home and prep and help with the run-up to the wedding,” he said.
“I have to travel for the wedding but because it’s holiday term, it was really hard to get cover because there needs to be someone in to work on the show or do the job.
“I wasn’t able to take it off, so it wrecks my head all the time.”
Mr Reidy said he does not want to work over Christmas “just because some people have children”.
Rows of Easter Eggs in a supermarket. Image: Stuart Black / Alamy Stock PhotoTop Tier Recruitment MD Laura Smyth told Henry that priority should “absolutely” go to parents and families.
“I have a two-and-a-half-year-old and a newborn now,” she said.
“I used to book my holidays a few years ago for off-peak times and, first of all, they are much cheaper and there are no kids around so they are far less chaotic,
“There is a lot more availability too so I think it’s actually a privilege for childless people to book holidays at off-peak times and give priority to parents during these easter holidays, summer holidays, and other holidays.”
'Unwritten rule'
Ms Smyth said parents having priority is an “unwritten rule” in the workplace.
“It’s fair that parents get the priority because schools shut down, creches shut down and there is no alternative,” she said.
“Unless you have family nearby who can mind the kids there is no alternative so it’s not really a holiday for the parents.
“I think, unfortunately, [single people] have to suck it up - but take advantage of the cheaper holidays and enjoy it.”
The Easter school holiday begins on March 28th and finishes on April 5th in Ireland.
You can listen back here:
Main image: A workplace argument. Image: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
