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What do you think of Atticus as a father and an employer?

As an employer, Atticus is a fair and respectful man. Calpurnia is almost a member of the family. Atticus respects and trusts her to guide and discipline the children in his absence. Calpurnia represents the maternal influence for Scout and Jem, and Atticus values her help. He also backs her up when the children criticize the fairness of her actions.

As a father, Atticus is a loving and affectionate parent, but certainly not a pushover. Atticus takes parenting seriously, and while he encourages them to think for themselves, he also stresses the importance of thinking how their actions will affect others. He does not punish the children out of anger, but uses the mistake to teach them a lesson in life. This is evident when he made Jem read to Mrs. Dubose every day for trampling her camellia bushes. Jem learned there was more to understand about the cranky old woman who constantly scolded them.

Atticus gives his children the love and attention they need.He does what is best for them, even at times if it seems unusual, such as letting them attend the trial.

Atticus is an unconventional father.  That is not to say that he doesn't love and care for his children.  It is just that Atticus is a rare man (and father) in many regards.  In fact, he seems to treat Jem and Scout as adults.  That is one reason they call him by his first name.  When Scout takes up cussing, Atticus doesn't reprimand her, knowing full well that it would just make her swear more.  Instead he leaves her to cuss until she realizes it is not the proper thing to do. 

Unlike many parents, Atticus would never resort to telling Scout or Jem, "Do as I say, not as I do."  Miss Maudie tells Scout that "'Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets'" (46).  This is the main reason that he stands up to defend Tom Robinson.  Later Atticus informs Scout that "'if I didn't [stand up to defend Tom] I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again'" (74).  Atticus must always practice what he preaches.

As an employer, Atticus is the same way.  He undoubtedly treats Calpurnia better than most people in Maycomb would treat their colored help.  He acknowledges that Cal is more than just his employer, she is vital to their family.  He tells Scout that it would be impossible for them to function without Cal.  He knows full well that Cal serves as a mother figure for Scout.  

One of the things that always impressed me about To Kill a Mockingbird was Atticus' decision not to remarry after the death of his wife.  Many men in the position of being left with very small children might remarry so that the chldren might have a full-time mother to raise them.  He did hire Calpurnia as his housekeeper, and she did fill the role of a mother figure, but Atticus never brought another woman into the home on a permanent basis.  That's admirable in its own right.  The fact that he still talks about the children's mother with them shows his love and respect for his wife's memory. 

As an employer, Atticus demonstrates his fairness and open mindedness in hiring Calpurnia and allowing her to have a free reign in helping to raise his two children.  The prevailing attitudes of the South towards Black people did not find themselves in the Atticus Finch household, and he treated Calpurnia with respect and paid her a fair wage.   

All of these traits make Atticus Finch an admirable character.