How can I skip dept. social event?

[lioness70]

Dettu, you said, "I just do *not* like to leave town without my son. He has dangerous (potentially fatal) food allergies and asthma and although daycare and my DH of course know how to deal with these issues, I am not relaxed if I'm that far away."  That is more than enough reason not to go!  My nephew has a peanut allergy, so bad that his throat closes...yes, it can be fatal!  My BIL and SIL try to stay as close to him as possible because of that.  As far as I know, my SIL does not attend any of her company social gatherings and nobody gives her lines that she HAS to attend.  My original opinion still stands...and I wouldn't want to work for someone who doesn't understand why your sick/allergic child comes before any company baseball game!

[ozbound]

I've gotta agree with Lioness and Winkie on this one, dettu... after all, it's not just a matter of your not "wanting" to go because you have work to do or you just don't care for baseball. . There are health issues involved here for both you and your son and in my book those issues come first.  After all does bossie want to be liable if something goes wrong, such as your allergy to cigarette smoke in the car causing an accident? And since it's so far away it wouldn't make sense for you just to "make an appearance" for an hour or so We have many outings in our company too and noone is obligated to go; they realize peoples' family and health come first. If I were you I would put my foot down and if bossie doesn't understand, well--he better start questioning his priorities.