Childfree People Share Double Standards They Are Facing At Work And They Will Really Make You Think

Some workplaces still act like having children is the only real reason to need time off, and that mindset can get old fast. For people who are childfree, it can mean being treated like the default backup plan whenever a manager needs someone to cover an unpopular shift.

That frustration is what made Nedra Tawwab's tweet hit so hard, because it tapped into a familiar double standard many workers have seen up close. The replies that followed were full of people sharing the same kind of workplace pressure, and the stories are hard to ignore.

Here are some of the most relatable reactions, and they say a lot about who gets asked to sacrifice more.

Nedra Tawwab, a licensed therapist and author, tweeted:

@NedraTawwab

Many people in the comments shared anecdotes about supervisors telling them they "don't have a family" and that they should work on holidays and other unfavorable shifts simply because they don't have children. Folks, childless people did not hatch from pods.

1. People who don't have kids don't have families, right? No parents, siblings, cousins...

@ehs06702

This is the kind of logic people are pushing back on.

2. "Need to be home by 6."

@thecorbinwarner

People keep pointing out the same unfair assumption.

All humans have a specific capacity to operate effectively, demanding more of people when their capacity is full doesn't increase productivity; it decreases it.

It also reminds me of the AITA story where someone missed overtime for their daughter’s birthday.

3. Pre-kids and post-kids

@wakeupdenverSG

4. No kids - no life. That's their logic...

@lindsayrachaelb

5. Everyone made their choices.

@eljofrva

6. Only people with kids have problems...

Twitter

People have also correctly pointed out that childless individuals may be in school or engaged in other activities that consume a significant amount of time outside of work. The bottom line is that they don't need to explain to anyone how they use their free time. It is theirs.

7. DEI programs should address it

@TrixieFilms

8. Busy living my life

@WessieHale

9. A commitment is a commitment

@FakeUMCDeacon

10. Just make up kids. It works

@2KMockingbird

People who are childless frequently have other responsibilities, such as helping family members or volunteering. Some may genuinely wish to have children but are unable to do so due to circumstances beyond their control.

Our reproductive status is a delicate subject, and supervisors should avoid bringing it up in order to guilt us into working longer hours. Whatever the reason for their child-free status, it is none of your business.

And they shouldn't have to work more because of it.

That double standard is hard to defend.

Want another work-family blowup? Read what a woman did when her struggling sister expected her to drop everything for her kids.