Should they help?

Question

Okay, you're in a relationship and you both work. You both share in household responsibilities. 
Well one of you is fired unexpectedly so now only one has a job.
Is it fair to assume that the one who is now unemployed should help out a little more around the house?
Especially when they have ZERO income and the unemployment has been for an extended period of time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in general, I believe if they have more free time they should help out more and take some of the burden off the person who is working.  
Some situations I’ve seen, though, the person who is not working falls into a state of depression.  It’s not uncommon after being let go, it’s a huge change, and if it’s for an extended period of time it can be extremely challenging to mental health.  So in instances like this, I think partners need to look at the whole picture and make health a priority instead of keeping scores on whether or not chore/work distribution is fair.

Answer

I don’t think it should be automatically assumed. A conversation needs to be had. “Now that you aren’t working while you’re looking for a job do you think you could do a little more around the house?” My husband and I went through this while we were still dating and I assumed he would pick up the slack. I worked 12 hour days AND went to school. I came home from work one day and had a paper to write and he swivels around in his computer chair and asked what was for dinner- and the house was a disaster! It caused an argument at first but we both realized fast that we both failed to communicate our expectations. Had he still been working, it was my day to cook so he thought I would do it. I thought since he was home all day he would do it. Now when something happens we talk it through to make sure we’re on the same page and it works out great.

Answer

I think it’s fair to assume they’ll do more around the house on days they’re not out actively looking for another job (not sure if people still do that given that many things are done online these days). Even on days that they’re looking for work, they’ll likely end their day earlier than usual and have a bit of extra time on their hands. I also feel that it’s the right thing to do.

Answer

My wife works, and I stay home with our daughter all day, and even though being a stay at home parent is a full time job, I try my best to have things clean and also make food for her since she provides for us. This doesn’t mean I don’t expect her to do things around the house too though.

Answer

You shouldn't make assumptions, but it should be agreed that the person at home should be doing a but more.
When my husband was unemployed he cleaned the house and had dinner ready when I got home. Now that he works and I'm home, I do most of the housework.

Answer

Its 50/50 just because one stays at home ot isnt their job to clean up your shit they can but its not their job

Answer

Frankly, yes. I wish people would stop equating sitting their asses at home with getting up and leaving the house for work. They don’t have anything else to do with their lives. Let them do the house work most of the time. Not like they have anything else to do

Answer

If one spouse is the sole provider, the other should be doing 100% of the work at home. Once they are employed again, it should go back to 50/50.

Answer

my husbands military, so there’s obviously times where I don’t have a job; so with that being said when i’m not working.. I do clean up, put clothes up & cook and make sure things are how they’re supposed to be. No i don’t do it ALL when i’m not working but I do a majority & he still helps out. But i just feel like since i have all the extra time on my hands why not?? like why not take care of home.. but I kinda have OCD.. soooo that’s just me lol.

Answer

This is my current situation, except I wasn’t fired lol. I quit my job because it was a toxic environment.
But my husband works full time and is studying for his masters online fully time, so I make a point to meal plan for the week, so grocery shopping, clean up around the house and run errands if needed.

Should they help?

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