Children in the workplace
Crissy
2 Posts
Does anybody have any advise/suggestions on creating a policy forbidding employees from bringing their infants to work?
Comments
No children in the workplace!
Today's workforce seems to be confused about the role of the family and the role of the employer.
If a family wants two incomes, that's fine, but spend some of that dual-income money to keep the kids locked up in daycare and away from the workplace.
Maybe the employee who needs pet care during her two week training class could take her pets to the class. Wouldn't that solve the problem?
I have one employee who thinks when our office moves near her house that she is going to bring her daughter in every day either before or after then drive her over to school. Once this is brought up, or she is there two days in a row, I will address it and make it clear that it is unacceptable. This is not a daycare facility and children routinely being here is unacceptable.
That will go over well.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman
These situations make no one happy, but we work with them as much as possible, so long as they are infrequent and uneventful.
I couldn't imagine bringing in an infant or a sick child.
Although, I wouldn't mind bringing my dog to work!!!
They can not occupy themselves for 8 hours in a day without interrupting their parent. Therefore, they do not belong in the workplace.
If people bring kids by for a visit, it is as nice break in the day and it affords us the ability to get to know the families of our co-workers, but it is few and far inbetween.
We don't have a policy on children/infants/kids in the workplace, just one that states that we ask that employees not have visitors, especially since we are a secured facility and nobody should be here unless they have business here. We even have them sign in and out.
What is your specific issue? Maybe we can help along those lines...
Thanks for all the input. It's been very helpful.
A little bird told me.. :-) ..........so it is not something I can act on............and with her it may change.......and the move is not until April, so no need to piss her off 4 months in advance.
The one nice thing is if it happens I will already know exactly how to address it and will not be caught off guard.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman
Dear Employee:
We do not bring our brats to your home, please do not bring yours to work.
Or
Our intention is to provide you with a work place free of harassment and torment. Your children accompaning you to work does not meet that goal i.e. no children, no angst.
It has worked for us for many years. It basically states that it is inappropriate for staff children to be in the workplace and the problems it causes.
As a rule, I agree with you, kids do not belong at work. But as we all know, life happens and sometimes missing work is just not an option, neither is leaving a kid at home unattended.
The few times I've needed to bring him in--he was over 12, and never for a full day (maybe 4 times in 5 years) he was able to keep himself quiet and I needed no more than my allotted 15 minute break to deal with him. Since he's not out on the floor he's not bothering anyone.
Others in the office have done similar things, although right now, I'm the only one with a kid in this age group (the others have stay-at-home wives)...most are either grandparents or newlyweds.
This will not work for everyone and would not work in our company generally, but in our small department (less than 15 people) and we're not in the main building of our facility, it works sometimes.
As the number of stay-at-home parents diminishes (regrettably) there is a growing trend for employers to offer such benefits. These onsite daycare centers are very attractive to young professionals with kids.
An infant could be cared for in such a facility and the mother could even take breaks to breast feed.
As the parent of a 7 month old, I don't see how a person can be productive with the infant in his/her care while at work. My little girl is an angel but she still wants my attention most of the time.
I thought your post read... and the VISITOR must be short.
Ha! I crack myself up!