Feeling guilty about work accommodating you as a mother, how to tell a friend you're not their therapist & the best way to push back against people who claim inequality in the workplace is a myth.

This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox: 
I wanted to ask your thoughts on flexible working for mothers and caregivers. I'm currently on maternity leave from a job that I enjoy, with a company I value and respect. After an honest conversation with my manager, they said they would be willing to look into a job share in order for me to return to the role and work the part-time hours I want. I initially dismissed this thinking that again, it wouldn't be fair to complicate things and I'd be better off leaving. But, if I'm removing myself from the workplace because I don't want to inconvenience others, am I not just another woman taking a hit to their career because they've chosen to have children? 

My friend has been going through some serious family issues which has really taken on a toll on her mental health. I am finding for the past year our catch's ups have largely been her venting about her life with very little consideration of what I am going through. How do I speak to her about this without hurting her or completely ruining the friendship? Or should I not bother speaking to her about it and let the friendship go? 

I was really put out the other day when I heard my family talking about the fact that “all was ok on the equality space in workplaces”. I am a nurse who works part time to care for our 2 children. I can never take over the full-time work duties as my wage will never pay for our mortgage. There will always be a power imbalance in our home. I simply couldn’t put it any more succinctly and felt they didn’t get it! How can I explain how it really is to them?  

If you have a question for Clementine, send an email to dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Edwina Stott
Audio Production: Adrian Walton
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au

Feeling guilty about work accommodating you as a mother, how to tell a friend you're not their therapist &amp; the best way to push back against people who claim inequality in the workplace is a myth. This week, in the Dear Clementine inbox: 
<ul>
<li>I wanted to ask your thoughts on flexible working for mothers and caregivers. I'm currently on maternity leave from a job that I enjoy, with a company I value and respect. After an honest conversation with my manager, they said they would be willing to look into a job share in order for me to return to the role and work the part-time hours I want. I initially dismissed this thinking that again, it wouldn't be fair to complicate things and I'd be better off leaving. But, if I'm removing myself from the workplace because I don't want to inconvenience others, am I not just another woman taking a hit to their career because they've chosen to have children?   </li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">My friend has been going through some serious family issues which has really taken on a toll on her mental health. I am finding for the past year our catch's ups have largely been her venting about her life with very little consideration of what I am going through. How do I speak to her about this without hurting her or completely ruining the friendship? Or should I not bother speaking to her about it and let the friendship go?   </li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">I was really put out the other day when I heard my family talking about the fact that “all was ok on the equality space in workplaces”. I am a nurse who works part time to care for our 2 children. I can never take over the full-time work duties as my wage will never pay for our mortgage. There will always be a power imbalance in our home. I simply couldn’t put it any more succinctly and felt they didn’t get it! How can I explain how it really is to them?  </li>
</ul>
If you have a question for Clementine, send an email to <a href="mailto:dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au">dearclementine@novapodcasts.com.au</a>
CREDITS Executive Producer: Edwina Stott Audio Production: Adrian Walton Managing Producer: Elle Beattie
For more great Nova Podcasts head to novapodcasts.com.au

In need of a little guidance? Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help. Whether you've got a question about family, career, sex or friendships Clementine is the sister you always wanted, the mum you never had, the aunty who always listened and the friend who's got your back. Dear Clementine is a podcast packed with advice you may not want but you definitely need.

In need of a little guidance? Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help. Whether you've got a question about family, career, sex or friendships Clementine is the sister you always wanted, the mum you never had, the aunty who always listened and the friend who's got your back. Dear Clementine is a podcast packed with advice you may not want but you definitely need.

Desperate for some advice, but too afraid to ask your friends? Award winning author and proud feminist Clementine Ford is here to help