- Joined
- Mar 2, 2009
- Messages
- 12,994
Dreamer,
Rationalization or no, I certainly have seen it adversely affect other interns and residents, so the effect is there. I certainly don't think that it justifies discrimination in any way, and I in fact am likely to be pregnant while interviewing. But the effect is real and true none the less. And it's certainly something I considered when thinking about starting a family, I think it would irresponsible of me not to weigh that into my decision making since for me, I'm making a conscious decision to be pregnant knowing that it can adversely affect my co-wokers in the form of extra nights away from their families (and I'm thinking of those coworkers who have their own kids at home).
The being said, I understand that American medical internship is a bit unique in that it is an extremely labor-intensive yet skill-intensive job. As in, they can't just hire a "temp" if you're on maternity leave, you certainly can't work from home, and it's ultimately a service industry that is up and running 24/7 and tolerates minimal mistakes. They are in the process of enforcing new work hour regulations that will effectively cut the intern work force in a third, and everyone is kind of frantic about how it will all pan out.The answer so far is to give everyone else 1/3 extra hours to make up for the difference. Personally I think they should just train more physicians but that's a whole different can of worms!
But it's extremely different in most corporate jobs where you being out for a few months should not as drastically effect your workplace and change many people's daily schedules. And I do think American maternity (and paternity) policy is awful. Sorry for the tangent, it's just something that's been on my mind too lately!
Do let us know how it all turns out Mischka.
Rationalization or no, I certainly have seen it adversely affect other interns and residents, so the effect is there. I certainly don't think that it justifies discrimination in any way, and I in fact am likely to be pregnant while interviewing. But the effect is real and true none the less. And it's certainly something I considered when thinking about starting a family, I think it would irresponsible of me not to weigh that into my decision making since for me, I'm making a conscious decision to be pregnant knowing that it can adversely affect my co-wokers in the form of extra nights away from their families (and I'm thinking of those coworkers who have their own kids at home).
The being said, I understand that American medical internship is a bit unique in that it is an extremely labor-intensive yet skill-intensive job. As in, they can't just hire a "temp" if you're on maternity leave, you certainly can't work from home, and it's ultimately a service industry that is up and running 24/7 and tolerates minimal mistakes. They are in the process of enforcing new work hour regulations that will effectively cut the intern work force in a third, and everyone is kind of frantic about how it will all pan out.The answer so far is to give everyone else 1/3 extra hours to make up for the difference. Personally I think they should just train more physicians but that's a whole different can of worms!
But it's extremely different in most corporate jobs where you being out for a few months should not as drastically effect your workplace and change many people's daily schedules. And I do think American maternity (and paternity) policy is awful. Sorry for the tangent, it's just something that's been on my mind too lately!
Do let us know how it all turns out Mischka.
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