Many New York Dads Use Kids as an Excuse to Leave Work Early

Have you ever had to leave work early because something came up at home? If you're a parent in New York, you're familiar with the challenge of trying to balance work and family. A new survey suggests that many dads are using their children as a reason to head home early, and they're doing it more often than moms.

Many Fathers Admit Using Their Kids as an Excuse

The survey from Resume.io found that nearly half of working fathers, 45.9%, say they have used their children as a reason to leave work early at least once. By comparison, nearly 27% of working mothers said they had done the same. Overall, about one in three working parents said they have used their children as a reason to leave work early at least once.

Some Parents Hide the Fact They Have Children

Not every parent feels comfortable talking about family at work. The survey found that 17.6% of parents have hidden or downplayed the fact that they have children. Almost 30% said they have either done that or at least thought about doing it.

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Fathers were more likely than mothers to say they have hidden the fact that they are parents. They were also more likely to avoid bringing up their children during job interviews.

Job Interviews Still Include Questions About Family

Many parents said family comes up during the hiring process. Almost four out of ten people surveyed said they have been asked about their children during a job interview. More than one third of those people felt the question was not appropriate. Women were more likely than men to say they would feel uncomfortable answering questions about their children.

Why Experts Think This Is Happening

Career coach Amanda Augustine says today's fathers are more involved in caring for their children than dads in the past. She believes parents feel they need a "good excuse" before asking to leave work early. She says workplaces should make it easier for parents to be open about family responsibilities.

The Bottom Line for New York Families

Whether you're raising kids in New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Binghamton, or anywhere else in the state, balancing work and family is not always easy. This survey shows that parents feel pressure to explain why they need flexibility.