There is no excuse for that. Family should certainly not be used as an excuse! What about the people with no kids? Just because he's got a family doesn't make him more important and put the screws to the people are below him. Might as well get used to people higher up passing the buck to we peons. It happens everywhere. Meant to add that you've got a family, too. And just because other people don't have kids, that doesn't make them less of a family. Well, I feel lots better now.