Some days ago, Sandra and Jackson sat in an afternoon meeting crunching numbers when Sarah suddenly announced: “Oh my, I have to leave immediately.” When Jackson questioned her, “Why is that?” she replied, shoulder shrinking, “Because I have kids.”

Jackson’s only answer to this statement was a puzzled “So what?”. She then replied, similarly puzzled, “They can’t take care of themselves. Somebody has to pick them up from school and daycare!”

What I wished was a fictional dialogue happened for real. I was told this story by a friend of mine working in administration. Sandra* is her boss and Jackson the Head of Department both my friend and Sandra are working in.

Even in the year 2021, it is necessary to explain yourself at work for having family duties. Sometimes it seems children are still no part of corporate reality and neither corporate identity.

*Names changed