Posted on Mar 17, 2020
Are leaders allowed to create a separate work schedule for someone because they are single, whereas everyone else has a family?
7.05K
49
32
2
2
0
My battle works S6. Due to COVID-19 they decided to move the work cycle to 1 day on; 2 days off. Everyone in her shop does the same job and everyone is mission essential. She was told today that the work cycle doesn’t apply to her cause she’s single and everyone else has a family. Is that even allowed? I don’t think Marital status is protected but still sounds like something is grossly wrong.
Posted in these groups: 
Equal Opportunity (EO)
Communications (S6)
Equal Opportunity (EO) Communications (S6)
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 14
5
5
0
There's a big thread on the Army's systematic discrimination against Single Soldiers. It's real, and it's not going away.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
4
4
0
Is the purpose of the one day on, two days off (1 2) to permit the married Soldiers to be home with their children because day care centers are closed, or for another reason?
If the married Soldiers don't have children, are they working the same schedule as the single Soldier?
Is the intent to limit the risk of catching COVID-19 for the married Soldiers?
Does working every day expose the single Soldier to a higher risk than those working 1:2? If so, does this also raise the risk for the married Soldiers, because the single Soldier, if infected because of the greater risk to which the single Soldier is exposed?
Note: Is there a plan to deliver food and check on any single Soldier, if they get infected?
If the married Soldiers don't have children, are they working the same schedule as the single Soldier?
Is the intent to limit the risk of catching COVID-19 for the married Soldiers?
Does working every day expose the single Soldier to a higher risk than those working 1:2? If so, does this also raise the risk for the married Soldiers, because the single Soldier, if infected because of the greater risk to which the single Soldier is exposed?
Note: Is there a plan to deliver food and check on any single Soldier, if they get infected?
(4)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
To be clear, it is leadership's decision to make, and whether they share their reasoning is, likewise, their decision.
Just because something is, or is perceived to be, unfair, it doesn't make it unfair, nor discrimination. (I know you didn't raise that as an issue).
Just because something is, or is perceived to be, unfair, it doesn't make it unfair, nor discrimination. (I know you didn't raise that as an issue).
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Good response, I agree. These are the decisions we must make and maybe not always fair to all eyes but necessary under unique circumstances.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Let's rephrase the question.
"Are leaders allowed to assign work schedules based off a needs analysis of the actual variables that affect a Soldiers day to day life"?
Yes, yes they are.
"Are leaders allowed to assign work schedules based off a needs analysis of the actual variables that affect a Soldiers day to day life"?
Yes, yes they are.
(3)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
SFC Michael Hasbun - not even close to the same thing. If you go to a one day on, two day off schedule, then everyone should work one day on and two days off.
(1)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
1SG (Anonymous) - also, contrary to popular belief, being male or female is not a choice. getting married and having kids is....
(2)
(0)
MAJ Byron Oyler
LTC (Join to see) - I do not think anything like this should be mandatory and the art of leadership should be utilized. A large majority of us start our careers single and end up married by retirement. When I was a new single officer, I every bit wanted my married co-workers at home with their families during holidays and considering I was OCONUS my first six years, my work family was my family. I would rather be at work than home alone and lonely. Not a hard sell and as a CNOIC, I used to take food to my staff on holidays and/or work it with them. We can lead from the front and eventually our single soldiers will pay it forward.
(0)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
MAJ Byron Oyler - agree. ask for volunteers before you just automatically stick the one single soldier with the duty.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Its happening all over the world right now. People in all walks of life are being sent home during this pandemic. first are those with families. Is it fair? Probably not, but we all have to understand in these times. Selfless service, its in the Army Values. perhaps you've heard of it? this isn't just an army issue, and i think there are far more important things going on in the world instead of worrying if a single person has to work instead of a married person.
(3)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) so far the only guidance I’ve gotten was they are limiting travel of SM and their family. SGM Ball would have all my soldiers work on a 1:2 schedule.
I’m a floor nurse, none of our staff are exempt and everyone is working. They are even pulling medical MOS’ from admin staff from the company to work. Our Nurses with families are making it work.
I’m a floor nurse, none of our staff are exempt and everyone is working. They are even pulling medical MOS’ from admin staff from the company to work. Our Nurses with families are making it work.
(0)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Good first step, however, in the area that i live. All schools are closed as well as daycare centers. How do you fix that Equally? All im saying is that I wouldnt concern myself with someone elses schedule, these are unique times. Of course you want to remain as equal as possible, but there has to be special consideration given to people with families in these situations. I remember pulling a lot of Cq duties and other duties over the Holidays so that families could be together. Its just the nature of the beast. Im quite sure that if your friend makes it through all of this that her leadership will give some good comp time on the back end. but to me this isnt anything new or unfair, its just how it is. Especially now.
(2)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) - bottom line: once this is over, you make it up to that single soldier for taking one for the team...
(2)
(0)
SFC Richard Williamson
MSG (Join to see) - I also remember pulling CQ/Guard Duty/staff duty for my troops who had families on the holidays, even though I was also married. I always thought it was the right thing to do. It was not every holiday that I'd do that, but when I felt that the troop needed the family time more than I. If I were working today, I'd more than likely do the same.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Is it allowed? It seems to be permitted by the highest level of the CoC that is aware. Maybe the shop OIC or NCOIC is implementing this and the CO Command Team aren't aware of the fact that single soldiers are getting screwed.
In general this happens all the time, an unfortunate reality of being a single soldier in the barracks. I've dealt with it, even as a NCO living in the barracks. It's not right but it's on your battle to bring it up to the chain. If they cannot provide a no shit answer to why they're doing it, I'd have your battle raise the concern to the next level
In general this happens all the time, an unfortunate reality of being a single soldier in the barracks. I've dealt with it, even as a NCO living in the barracks. It's not right but it's on your battle to bring it up to the chain. If they cannot provide a no shit answer to why they're doing it, I'd have your battle raise the concern to the next level
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Leaders have wide latitude to manage their soldiers work schedules as needed to accomplish the mission and mitigate risks. Right now families contracting COVID is a major risk that needs to be mitigated and the command has carte blanche to utilize whatever TTPs will most effectively meet the end goal.
The Army isn't fair, but it is effective, and right now it's being told to reduce the spread as much as possible during this national emergency. If the command felt the best course of action was to lock everyone in the hospital under quarantine and separate them from their families, they would be allowed to do that.
The Army isn't fair, but it is effective, and right now it's being told to reduce the spread as much as possible during this national emergency. If the command felt the best course of action was to lock everyone in the hospital under quarantine and separate them from their families, they would be allowed to do that.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
If your "friend" is an enlisted Soldier and not a DAC, then the answer is yes. Supervisors can schedule their workforce as necessary to accomplish the mission. It seems a little unfair, but it's still within the supervisor's authority. One day on and two days off looks fairly generous. In a real crisis, I would expect something like four days, four nights, four off, forever. Anyway, complaining won't do much good.
(1)
(0)
This is something your Battle is going to have to address with her leadership. It's nice that you're concerned for your Battle, but this is not your lane, not your circus, not your monkeys.
(1)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - If you are that concerned and that curious, you can stop by your friendly neighborhood EOL/EOA and ask them. They would be the SMEs on this.
(4)
(0)
0
0
0
This is an issue and should be addressed. I can understand if they based their decision on the likelihood of spreading the COVID to family members whereas the single Soldier has a lesser chance. This could also be looked at as the Soldiers with kids have to be home more since kids are out of school. As a leader these are things we must take into consideration. Yes Soldiers are supposed to have a family care plan in action but no one expected the impact of the COVID.
I would, later on, look at the sacrifice your battle did during this time and compensate them at a later date. I would also inform your battle this upfront so they know they are working towards something in the future. Keeping the moral up for your battle is pretty important and letting them know their sacrifice for his/her teammates does not go unnoticed.
I would, later on, look at the sacrifice your battle did during this time and compensate them at a later date. I would also inform your battle this upfront so they know they are working towards something in the future. Keeping the moral up for your battle is pretty important and letting them know their sacrifice for his/her teammates does not go unnoticed.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google