While offering a lot family-friendly benefits to employees may seem like a good thing, it could end up inadvertently making your single employees feel like second-class citizens, says the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) HR Magazine.

Case in point: Thomas Harpointer, CEO of AID Media Inc., told SHRM about one employee who left work early on Halloween to go trick-or-treating with his children. "It did raise a few eyebrows, and some people poked fun about it," he says. "We realized this was no joke — it was a real issue. If someone needs the afternoon off, it shouldn't matter what the reason is. And if one employee gets the privilege, then everyone should."

Unmarried or single residents made up 42 percent (92 million) of people 18 years old and up in 2006 — that's up from 41 percent (89 million) in 2005. "These trends contribute to a burgeoning movement to promote single's rights, with a growing number of advocacy organizations becoming more vocal about what they perceive as unfair treatment by employers," states the SHRM article. Singles sometimes feel exploited — due to fewer benefits, less compensation, longer hours, or less flexible schedules — by married and child-bearing co-workers. And it's not just singles: Those who have partners but are unmarried and do not have children often feel slighted due to lack of adequate health care coverage.

"The first thing is to be aware that people could feel that way whether they voice it or not," says Shirley Lyons, AAF, of Dandelions Flowers & Gifts in Eugene, Ore. "We do consider special scheduling needs when we hire, to make sure we don't overload our staff ... We struggle [with this problem] like everybody. You can't have everyone leave at 3 pm."

While Tim Farrell, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Farrell's Florist in Drexel, Pa., has not had problems between single and married employees, he does make sure to offer a time-off program that lumps vacation, sick and personal leave together into one bank of time. "It is one of the best changes we've made ... it gives a more fair approach to each employee." SHRM reports that 70 percent of 326 HR executives surveyed in 2006 by CCH and Harris Interactive said their organizations offer a similar program.

The article suggests that, to help make all employees feel like they are on equal footing, employers should hold social events for employees. As singles' relationships are more likely to be linked to their job community, employers should make sure to hold plenty of inclusive activities, such as lunches, happy hours and community service outings. Read about Lyons' social events for employees. The article also suggests offering more flexible scheduling options to all employees. 

-- Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

 

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