To think I can WFH 9-5 in the holidays with my kids at home

I mentioned his job because of seniority but he’s been in his work for a while so must have picked stuff up. I said man because not just women are doing it. Stay jealous and bitter lol what’s it to me!

I loves these threads. MN hates the idea of wfh and childcare. In the real world, a few days in the school holidays is of course fine. Most of my team do it (men and women btw).

The director was in the meeting, they could have said something lol! Or given a written warning. It’s a well known company so they can recruit easily? Not everyone is bitter. I couldn’t care less if I tried to lol

Have you also looked at tax free childcare? It’s a government scheme where you pay into an account and use it to pay for childcare with a 20% discount.

Work means work, 9-5, not childcare.
Not surprising employers want their employees back in the office.

Good points. Some people have to pay for childcare, so these kind of wfh jobs would be a massive saving for many.

So sick of picking up the slack for people who can’t be arsed to pay for Childcare.

Indeed. Either that or being head of digital marketing is the easiest job ever.

@SurreyisSunny

As someone who works in HR you cannot do this.

Totally agree. But this isn't what she wants to hear, so she'll just ignore it and do what she wants anyway.

Where I work the head of digital marketing had a baby in his lap whilst on a team meeting call, no one cared or remotely gave a fuck the baby was with him at home. Note: a man.

No one actually said anything but I bet they were thinking plenty

I think a week would be pushing it but the odd day is fine as long as they have things to occupy themselves. I wfh predominantly, my 2 are 11 and 13 and I have wfh since the beginning of the pandemic and I can categorically say that I’m never 100% focused on work whether they are home or not! And I’m not 100% focused in the office either because it’s so damn noisy and everyone wants to chat. You are allowed to leave your desk for a screen break etc so can check in on the children then. Some posters on here are so bitter against those wfh that they create drama where none exists!

My youngest is 7 and I’m in the it’s unfair on your kids and work camp. I’ve done it before and if you do give it a try and Book every other day off work. Take them out and do something physical, beach, hillwalking, big bike ride followed by a swim. That way they will be tired the next day and you won’t feel so bad when you have to bribe them with pads.

Let them sleep in have an easy breakfast on the table (cereal). Clothes good to go. Plan activities that they can do without you. My kids like lego for example. Organise snacks and lunches in advance. That way when they are hungry you can just give them what’s prepared. Get them to help they can tidy up the table and floor after food. Give them a treat after and spend some together; clearly delineate the end of your working day. Explain repeatedly how important it is that you work.

Ive done this before and it is exhausting but it does mean I could cover Easter with 4 days off.

However, I do agree no one will want to be nurses or teachers etc. Doctors yes because the pay is generally better. Why become a nurse/teacher when you can get the same money, wfh and save on childcare? Plus, in corporate salaries do improve and get a lot better.

What does this mean? Government need to pay public sector employee better, but they won’t. We will see (already are) a massive shift of people wanting office jobs for the flexibility and comfort of own home.

What about those who don’t have kids and distractions at home?

Where I work the head of digital marketing had a baby in his lap whilst on a team meeting call, no one cared or remotely gave a fuck the baby was with him at home. Note: a man.

Childcare is way too expensive and cost of living crisis, people can’t afford to pay for it. Heating bills going up again next month.

You’re arguing with OP, but if the government put cheaper childcare options in place then so many people wouldn’t feel the need to do this.

My job - I rarely have any meetings just 30 mins catch up. My job is digital based, website oriented specifically - I use Salesforce on a daily basis. My job is based on me, no one is impacted by what I do. I actually wake up little bit earlier in the night when everyone is sleeping to get loads done. I keep getting praises, everyone is happy with me. I don’t have to work with people, see clients or interact with people unless project but that’s very rarely.

If people are want wfh jobs and feel jealous (I understand), they can do what I did go get a degree and experience to find a wfh job instead of being annoyed at people with better circumstances. Improve your own situation.

Queue the hate comments…..

This would be absolutely fine where I work. Plenty of people have their DC around in the background during internal TEAMS calls etc during school holidays.

So long as the work gets done, nobody cares.

As someone who works in HR you cannot do this. You risk losing your job. For the odd day such as when one of your children is unwell or there’s a teacher strike or maybe fine providing your company are aware and your manager agrees. Longer than this absolutely not. If you don’t tell them but somehow they found out you’d risk them taking formal action

I used to take half days during all school holidays, bank holidays and including working when we we away on holiday which just about stretched out my holiday allowance

I really fear that this is going to blow up in the face of women who think they are being oh so clever, no one notices, I work after hours (yeah right!) etc.

What will happen is that companies won’t employ women as it’s rife now. Men don’t seem to have this entitled ‘childcare is so expensive, let me rip off the rest of the team, and con my employer)’ all the while convincing myself that I do a very good job.

No it is not on. Are you a Civil Servant by any chance?

They'll be fine. Please don't worry.

I think for 3-4 days over 2 weeks that it should be fine. Can you do an extra hour or two on the days you have childcare to give you a buffer for the days they are with you?
You know your own kids but I have similar aged kids (7&9) and they would I would need to spend a bit of time with them unless they were on iPads/TV for the whole day!

I did half days WFH when my two were 5 and 7