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Original poster

School run comments in work

429 replies

gocompare · 02/02/2025 08:42

In a meeting last month I said I wasn't available for Monday meetings at 3:00. I could do any other time before or after.

The most senior person in the meeting said "that sounds like a school run" I didn't really confirm or deny what it was.

It was said in a meeting full of men I was the only female if it makes a difference and I just feel off about it and I can't work out why but I don't think he should of said it.

Am I just being over sensitive as I have form for this.

OP posts:
pollymere · 04/02/2025 21:49

I used to work in an office that had a gym and exercise classes (all "free"). I used to say I wouldn't be available for meetings on Tues at 1pm (as I had circuit training then.) It was my lunchtime so none of their business unless they needed me vitally/urgently for some unknown reason. They never did.

This isn't an acceptable answer from your superiors at all. It is none of their business if you have a commitment during your lunch break on a certain day. You might have to provide lunch for a relative or take someone shopping or volunteer to hear kids read at a local school.

Just say "due to commitments" and leave it at that.

queenmeadhbh · 04/02/2025 22:09

Hwi · 02/02/2025 09:52

Amazing to have a job where you tell senior management when you are available for meetings. What the f have I been doing wrong all my life?

I work for the NHS and my job is like this. We all have diaries with various commitments. Some things are moveable; some things are not. If a senior manager asked for a meeting when I had a doctors appointment or something I would say e.g. unfortunately I have a commitment I cannot move at that time but can make myself available any time Monday, Tues Thurs or after midday on Friday, sort of thing. Senior management understand people have commitments both in and out of work!

Rosscameasdoody · 05/02/2025 08:41

LadyTangerine · 03/02/2025 09:40

It is not misogyny, many would also raise an eyebrow at a man nipping out mid working day to ferry his kids about. Delegating is surely a skill everyone should have.

His comment was pointed yes, what is wrong with that? We've heard other people who know colleagues who play golf mid working day. Perhaps the whole flexi thing needs looking at.

Edited
Show quote history

No one has the right to ‘raise an eyebrow’ at a long standing arrangement agreed with management and carried out in an unpaid lunch hour. OP was the only woman at that meeting, of course it was misogyny.

Islandgirl68 · 05/02/2025 19:14

@gocompare nothing wrong with what you are doing. This is what happened after covid, so many parents do what you are doing, it is called flexible working. And I see lots of dad's doing the school runs too now. It was something they did during Covid. The man in the meeting was been ridiculous. If yiur boss has agreed it I woukd ignore the ignorant one. Lots of people have flexible working not just for kids but for elderly family too. Life has changed and not everyone does 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. There are so many different working patterns now a days.

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