To be truly honest: I don't (yet) see the issue here. We have a male colleague and I tend to call him the 'company dad'. Why? Because he cares. He's the one people turn to when they need to talk. He's the one people share their deepest secrets with and he keeps those secrets!
With all due respect: Would any of you mind to explain why this (apparently) is an issue? (I'm serious.)
@JayJulez it reinforces a gender/role stereotype that a mum will be responsible, clean up after others (and thus, removes responsibility from the others), handle the emotional labour, smooth things over, etc. It adds an extra layer of expectations around behaviour for that woman that her colleagues don't have.
A difference with a 'company dad’ is that there are systemic issues around women being expected to take on this extra labour in companies far more often, without recognition/pay/fairness.
@JayJulez and I'm sure there's more beyond all that - @unrelatedwaffle can correct my take if I’m off the mark!
I've seen this label applied to my partner (working in a hospital): she'll be approached more than her male peers for support, to sort out gifts for new parents and retiring colleagues, to handle office admin (not her job!) - essentially to sort shit out. There's socialised habits/challenges there, but it's on everyone to push back against that.
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