The downside to WFHM's....

[BlackEyedPea]

As a new work-from-home-Mum starting up my own internet business, it has certainly been an experience...

But I have a few issues with other WFHM's constantly using their children/families as an excuse for delays in work I've paid them to do. This may be a controversial issue... but this really annoys me.

Let me say, for the most part the people I have dealt with in business, a lot of who are WFHM's have been excellent and professional, but there's been several who just suddenly stop work for a few days or a week due to 'family' or 'personnal' reasons, and nothing gets done for a week.

I get that it's great to have the flexibility when working from home/running your own business but when does 'flexible work practices' cross the line to just plain slack?? We all have deadlines too... Where are all the husbands? Do they take every 3rd day off due to family reasons...? I don't think so.

Am I being too harsh? I do understand children get sick etc etc but is it really ok for WFHM's to just stop work constantly for 'family reasons' when men never do??

By the way, I just want to add that I always use services by WFHM's as I want to support them and they are often very professionaland good at what they do - like the girl who's doing my website. It's just there seems to also be a lot who are plain slack!

[SimplyMum]

Hmm, interesting. As someone who is also venturing out on their own (but yet to have any clients....come on universe, please send me some bookkeeping work!!!), I will have to keep this in mind. Although my work doesn't really rely on others so much as others rely on me.

I guess it's one of the downsides of WFHM. Just like there are disadvantages to dealing with organizations in that you get lost between departments and no personal touch.

[Benji]

I guess husbands have their wives caring for the children???

Anyway, if you've never been let down by a builder/plumber/insert-other-male-dominated-industry-here you are INCREDIBLY lucky!!

If a WAHM's child is sick or there's an emergency, there's really not much one can do. She isn't likely to have backup so *shrug* I guess all you can do is wait (like people often have to wait for other industries - we waited almost one year for air co to be installed and it's still not done correctly - certainly wasn't mums).

[ICanDream]

I am a WFHM and if my kids are sick then yes, I have to notify people that I may be offline, or limited availability for xxx amount of days. Thankfully not a lot of my work that I do is time critical or something people rely heavily on. DH will not (or can not, I don't really know the "truth") take time off work unless the kids are in hospital at which both of us are then off work to look after them.

Generally it's not a big issue, but when they are sick enough to need my constant attention then yes I have to be unavailable to other people.

ETA: I do have my kids in care some days to try and stay on top of work but if they can't go to care on a work day then I'm out of action.

[BlissedOut]

I but a LOT from WAHPs and I do know what you mean.

My biggest gripe is when they commit to a deadline and don't meet it, then you ask for a refund and they say 'oh I posted it out today sorry'... Then it shows up 2 weeks later, well after the big occasion it was purchased for.

I'm very sympathetic to family issues, sickness, but I think it's often not genuine.

[Lil Flower]

I ran a successful WFHM biz for 18 months, until I sold it mid last year. I always stated that "because my items are custom made, please expect up to 14 days for delivery". Most of the time I got it out quicker because I liked to get started asap. I think 2 weeks for custom made is acceptable, any longer is a little slack, unless there are extreme circumstances.

[ICanDream]

I but a LOT from WAHPs and I do know what you mean.

My biggest gripe is when they commit to a deadline and don't meet it, then you ask for a refund and they say 'oh I posted it out today sorry'... Then it shows up 2 weeks later, well after the big occasion it was purchased for.

I'm very sympathetic to family issues, sickness, but I think it's often not genuine.

I agree that is very wrong. I tend to be generous on deadlines (when I have any) and if at any stage I think I am going to be compromised I contact people immediately. Things do happen but it's also my responsibility to be aware of my work load and contact people ASAP if I can see even just a hint of things going pear shaped.

[BlackEyedPea]

Oh I didn't really make myself clear in my post... I meant just taking every second day/week off just because they feel like it - I had one person who I paid to do some logo design work for me, and the website people were waiting on the logo in order to complete my web design... But she took her time over 5 weeks to do the most basic (and disappointing) text logo.... Meanwhile she was posting on Facebook how she had 'enjoyed having the day of to hang out with the kids' or 'enjoyed the week up the coast'... But she initially told me about 2 weeks for the lOgo!

Ilness is a different matter of course!

[ICanDream]

Ah I see yes that's pretty wrong and a great way to get a bad reputation by posting it on Facebook. That's a different situation than I thought you meant and definitely not on.

[MonstersMum]

That's sad that there's WAHP not living up to their work commitments, it's the kind of thing that makes employers think twice about offering flexible working arrangements. I go above and beyond for my employer, because I know when I'm onto a good thing - it's a mutual appreciation society we have going on. I appreciate that they offer me so much flexibility not only in where I work but what I take on, and they appreciate that what I provide them with is my best. Then when I geniunely need time off it's not a 'girl who cried wolf' situation.