Work-Life Equation Should Include Dads

I don’t think this will shock you, but work-life needs are not just for women.

So says a new series of studies from the Boston College Center for Work & Family in the Carroll School of Management. (Lauren Stiller Rikleen provides a nice overview of these studies’ findings over at the Harvard Business Review blog. If you’re interested, please do give it a read.)

I’m really glad these studies were done and published, and I hope people in power will take note. Things like flexible work, childcare, maternity/paternity leave, family leave and other work-related “life” issues apply to moms and dads (and to non-parents as well, in many cases).

From my own perspective, I’ve worked with and known dads of all stripes — from those career-focused, old-school douches who treat their kids like little mini-me desk trophies to super-loving, nurturing modern dads who will drop everything to pick up their sick kid or attend a parent-teacher conference. I’m happy to report, the dads I currently work with fall into super-loving end of the spectrum (at least, as far as I know).

I don’t get the vibe from my coworkers, management or corporate overlords that dads’ work-life needs matter less or more than moms.’ It feels equal, and that feels right.

I’d love to hear from other WMAGs out there about this issue. How does your own baby-daddy view the intersection of fatherhood and career? How about your colleagues in the fatherly way?

More on dads and the work-life equation

• Celebrating Dads: “I know I speak for many working moms grateful to have fathers who (from behind the scenes) help us juggle all those balls at once.”
• Advice from the Inventor of DaddyScrubs: “My advice is that if dad is feeling guilty, just jump in and spend time with the kids, it will only benefit everyone involved.”
• Working Dads Against Guilt: “You see, I miss hours – about 8 to 10 a day. My working hubby misses days.”