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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Where I work, parents earn more than childless people... and it annoys me

531 replies

MustBookADentistAppointment · 20/03/2017 19:36

So, where I work, parents receive an allowance because they have children. I don't have any children, but I would really like them. The argument is that people with children need the money because it's expensive having kids. Which I don't disagree with for a minute, but it pisses me off, nonetheless.

I'm single. Which means I have to pay all my rent/mortgage etc on my own, which is expensive. More expensive than if I lived with a partner. But I don't qualify for extra salary. Clearly, it's my choice to live alone, and I'm not blaming being single on my colleagues but hopefully you see what I mean. I'd also like a dog, but wouldn't get extra money to pay for dog daycare/walkers etc (I am NOT comparing having children to having a dog, just explaining that my lifestyle choices don't qualify for extra payments, like they would if I had children).

I can totally see the merit in an allowance for children, but am I being unreasonable to be pissed off about it? I'm slightly jealous of them, and am also paying through the nose for private therapy to try and manage/get over being alone and feeling sad about it - I just feel that their lifestyle is being subsidised, whereas mine isn't, even though it's kinda expensive too.

OP posts:
NapQueen · 20/03/2017 19:37

Well your employer sounds incredibly generous and contrary to the norm.

Presumably you were aware of their policies when you decided to work there?

witsender · 20/03/2017 19:37

That sounds bonkers.

Moanyoldcow · 20/03/2017 19:37

What? I have never heard of anything like that... What sector do you work in?

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 20/03/2017 19:37

Wow I've never heard of that before. Is it definitely extra salary and not childcare vouchers?

ArchNotImpudent · 20/03/2017 19:38

I've never heard of such an allowance - is it common?

Familyof3or4 · 20/03/2017 19:38

Sounds bizarre and unfair

ArchNotImpudent · 20/03/2017 19:39

Are you in the UK, OP?

Moanyoldcow · 20/03/2017 19:39

How much is it?

Sunnysky2016 · 20/03/2017 19:39

Are you in the UK?

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 20/03/2017 19:40

Are they takin taking on staff??

MustBookADentistAppointment · 20/03/2017 19:40

I actually wasn't aware of the extra payments for parents. It's definitely an extra payment rather than childcare vouchers.

And yes, my employers are great in almost every respect. They treat their employees very, very well. I don't really want to name my sector, it's fairly small and really outing!

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 20/03/2017 19:40

Really? Salary is for work not for personal circumstances. Are you sure that's the case? I think you could complain on the grounds of discrimination.

BoBaraMoMara · 20/03/2017 19:40

Hmmm. Very odd.

DJBaggySmalls · 20/03/2017 19:40

If the single persons pay is the baseline and enough to live on, then look for a more highly paid or second job.
I've never heard of this in the UK. We're not supposed to discuss a colleagues salary for one thing.

ReginaGeorgeinSheepsClothing · 20/03/2017 19:40

Taking- I can spell!!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 20/03/2017 19:40

Weird and unfair.

thatstoast · 20/03/2017 19:40

Do you work in the past?

Parker231 · 20/03/2017 19:40

It's a form of discrimination - have you challenged it with the HR department?

Mammylamb · 20/03/2017 19:40

That sounds nuts; and I am a parent! Are you in the U.K.?

MustBookADentistAppointment · 20/03/2017 19:41

Oh, and yes I'm in the UK. And no, they rarely take on staff - we're paid very well and they're lovely to work for so no one ever leaves! Grin

OP posts:
MadMags · 20/03/2017 19:41

You're not talking about the state children's allowance are you?? If so, the thread is a bit misleading...

BToperator · 20/03/2017 19:41

That is just bizarre! I'm not surprised you feel put out. I can't imagine why any employer would do that.

MadMags · 20/03/2017 19:41

Sorry! X post.

PurpleDaisies · 20/03/2017 19:41

It's discriminatory. You can't just pay someone more because they have a child.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 20/03/2017 19:42

I have never ever heard of that.

Such a policy would be a legal minefield. What if your child died? What if you had step children? What about grown up children? What if your children don't live with you?

Where do you work? Surely not in the UK?