Smoke Signals 7
DECEMBER 1, 2002
Enter Children; Exit Work
Two employees balance work and parenthood.
By Ron Karten
Three days before giving birth to
son Matteo, Danis Bazzy-Bucknell
climbed Spirit Mountain. She
laughed about the extra balance he
gave her going up and the extra
cushion had she needed it, but she
also was talking about the camara-
derie of having her first child with
her on the adventure.
Now, she continues the adven
ture, but no matter how important
time with a new baby is, she faces
a complicated relationship between
family and work. Another new par
ent, Jeff VanLaanen, a Sergeant
assigned to the Tribe from the Polk
County Sheriffs office, shares with
Bazzy-Bucknell experiences in bal
ancing work and family.
Bazzy-Bucknell has left her job
working for the Tribe as a Foster Care
Recruiter with the Social Services
department to be a full-time mom.
"It was a really hard thing for me
to do," she said, "but I knew it was
important to do this for (her three
month old son) Matteo. I can't re
place this time with Matteo. I can
always go back to work."
Quitting her job will mean some
financial hardship for the family,
but maybe equally important for
Bazzy-Bucknell is leaving co-workers
she also considers family.
On the other side of the gender
line, Sergeant VanLaanen is also
the proud parent of a newborn. He
and wife, Lisa, had long planned
not only on her taking time off, but
also his taking time off from work
to be with their new daughter,
Andralyn Grace.
Not yet a common sacrifice for
American fathers to make,
VanLaanen is riding what un
doubtedly will be a new crest for
fatherhood in this country. With
the passage of the 1993 federal
Family and Medical Leave Act
(FMLA), parents are guaranteed 12
workweeks of unpaid leave during
any 12-month period when the
stork drops by with one of its fa
mously precious bundles. (See
Sidebar)
The FMLA was not in place when
VanLaanen's son, Dayln, was born
ten years ago, so he did not have
the same opportunity. This time
I JkV T
Andralyn Grace
around, he has saved up vacation
days to enable him to take off 12
weeks with pay.
"I think fathers need to be home
as much as they can," he said.
The experience is career chang
ing, too.
"When a child is the same age as
(my child) in a case," he said, "I'm
thinking of my son. If you think
about your own being in that situ
ation, it helps me do the job right."
Bazzy-Bucknell had the reverse
thought. "My co-workers kept tell
ing me how important it was to be
home with Matteo. 'He'll learn so
much from you.'
"At 12 weeks, I'm seeing so much
stuff is happening. He can focus,
hold his head up, hear his own
voice. I'll be here for his first step,
his first word and when things hap
pen, I can call (husband) Matt and
tell him."
"The Tribe was so supportive
when I came on to work," she said.
"And after I made my decision (and
emailed the news throughout the
Tribe), all these people responded
immediately. They were so support
ive. It was really a cool thing."
VanLaanen had taken two weeks
off at the time of this interview. He
was going back on for 10 weeks
while his wife took her 10 weeks off.
Then, he was scheduled to go out
for another 10 weeks. "I think
they're going to miss me," he said
of his co-workers. "At least I hope
so."
-4r
Matt, Danis & Matteo Bucknell
' "Taking a long leave of absence
is how I look at it," said Bazzy
Bucknell, "to keep a positive atti
tude." B
The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act grants covered employ
ees up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12
month period for one or more of the following reasons:
H For the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
D For placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption
or foster care;
B To care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent)
with a serious health condition; or
fl To take medical leave when the employee is unable to work be
cause? of a serious health condition.
Though a sovereign nation, the Tribe follows the federal guide
lines. Employees are eligible for Family Medical Leaves (FML) if
they have met the following requirements on the date the leave be
gins. B They have worked for the Tribe for a minimum of 12 months;
B They have worked at least 1,250 hours (156V4 days; 3VA weeks) in
the previous 12 months.
The federal act also dictates that "if two parents are employed by
the same employer, they can only take a combined 12 weeks for the
birth of a child," according to Sheila McDonald, the Tribe's Benefits
Specialist.
Spirit Mountain Casino Hosts College Football's Civil War Party OSU Vs U of O
0vfylOrf .-. "
State Rivalry Fans of the Oregon State Beavers ruled the day (top,
left) as the Beavers romped on the University of Oregon Ducks on Saturday,
November 23. Fans of both schools gathered at Spirit Mountain Casino's
Annual Civil War Party to watch Beavers' quarterback Derek Anderson throw
four touchdown passes in route to a 45-24 victory. DJs from Portland sports
radio station The Fan AM 910 (top, right) hosted the casino's party. OSU was
well represented - including Educational Opportunities Advisor Delphine Jack
son (lower left).