HBR Working Dads Collection (6 Books)

8

When Your Boss Doesn’t Respect Your Family Commitments

by Rebecca Knight

Quick Takes

• Have a one-on-one conversation with your boss
• Frame your plans in terms of achieving their goals
• Communicate often—but set clear boundaries
• Find allies inside your organization
• Set aside time for yourself
• Be ready to move on if necessary

When trying to balance your work and family commitments, it helps to have a boss who is understanding and supportive: someone who doesn’t raise an eyebrow when you sign off early to attend a school event or take a personal day to accompany an aging parent to a doctor’s appointment.

But what if your manager isn’t sympathetic to your familial responsibilities? Or worse, your boss is outright dismissive or is even hostile ...