Workplace Bias?

There’s a workplace bias that rarely gets talked about, but it needs attention. So I will take charge here and bring it up! 🙂

In many organizations, having children often functions as a “free pass” for exceptions that employees without children don’t receive. I’ve seen it countless times throughout my career. I understand that parents have real responsibilities, and supporting families is important. But if we’re talking about equity, similar flexibility should be extended to those who don’t have children — whether by choice or circumstance.

Otherwise, we unintentionally create a system that disadvantages people without kids.

Here’s an example:

We have an out‑of‑town meeting that ends at 5 PM. Because of that, anyone in CST or EST can only book flights after 6 PM, which means getting home close to midnight. Meanwhile, several attendees with young children will almost certainly leave early, citing family obligations — and it will be socially acceptable.

Those without children don’t have that same socially approved “reason,” so their choices become:
• stay another night and fly out the next morning, or
• get home around midnight.

Not every parent will leave early, of course. But even if 7 out of 50 do, the rules aren’t being applied equitably.

This isn’t about blaming parents, not at all — it’s about recognizing that fairness should apply to everyone, not just those with socially validated obligations.

Anyway, a little social justice today from a different angle.