I’m a mother of two and head a company of 10 employees. One mom staffer often leaves early for her kids’ activities or stays home when one is sick. Other staffers resent her. Should I say something?

It’s the old “what working mothers do to keep up job responsibilities while keeping the family afloat” challenge. Sometimes we need to face the fact that some jobs, for whatever reason, might not be the best fit with our family’s needs. There’s nothing wrong with approaching your employee if you do it with respect and concern. “Is everything okay at home?” you might ask. “I’ve noticed you’ve had quite a few emergencies lately and you’ve missed some deadlines. I just want to make sure you’re not overloaded.” Listen to what she says, then come to a solution that works for both of you. Maybe she works from home one day a week. Maybe she comes in early every day so she can leave early. Or maybe letting her go is the outcome she’s secretly hoped for.