working dad feeding his baby
  • Childfree workers told Business Insider they often feel pressured to cover for parents at work.
  • But they don't blame parents, who they say are also stretched thin.
  • A forever labor shortage and remote roles might only make things worse without better policy.

Kira Benson used to feel the pressure to pick up extra shifts at a former barista job when coworkers needed the time off for parenting duties.

With a shortage of workers at the shop, Benson said their coworkers often expected childfree staff members to be more flexible and work more hours when needed. They said on multiple occasions, coworkers' kids would get dropped off and hang out at the shop while their parents worked.