There is a fairness problem, and I don't see a solution except to allow everyone to work less. Working less is not a bad thing. As a manager, I've always accom

There is a fairness problem, and I don't see a solution except to allow everyone to work less. Working less is not a bad thing. As a manager, I've always accommodated parental (or other family) leave requests. I even encouraged hesitant parents or other care-givers to take paid time away from work. I don't remember ever refusing leave or pressuring anyone to return to work. This was sometimes contrary to the employer's stated policy. Had I been asked about it (and I never was) I would have made the case that it is in the employer's interest and my interest as a manger to be flexible. I never had a request for more than a few days at a time. Obviously, requests to take an extended period (months or years) are another matter. I remember very few requests for non-vacation, self-care time off, just the rare "mental health" day. In my experience, it really is true that parents and other care-givers take more time off than non-care-givers. In partial mitigation, I have found caregivers to be somewhat more efficient in completing work at the office, compared to single people, especially single people under 30. Parents don't have time to waste! EDIT: I see two fairness issues, caregivers getting more time off than other employees. And, not all managers are the way I was, and it is unfair that "my" employees had a better situation than others.