Alex, I didn't mean that part-timers cost more, I meant that 2 people covering the job that could be done by one person, is more expensive. Can't be anything else.
jetjockey737, "banging on"? OK. Well if the "responsibilty to her child ... far out weighs the responsibilty to her employer" then she can administer that responsibility herself. Why should the employer or other people in the company have to carry the can for that? She made a choice to have children, she may even have a 'right' to have children, but not at everyone elses's expense.
I didn't say I wanted part-time .... read it again carefully.