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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think I can get by without childcare in August because work is quiet?

614 replies

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 15:44

Every August, work slows down massively. It has always been this way. There is barely anything coming in, hardly any meetings or deadlines, and most of my team is off. My manager and her manager are both away for the whole of August, so it is very unlikely anything urgent will come up.

I have primary school-aged kids and I am thinking I might skip childcare this year. I usually only have about one to two hours of work a day in August, and some days there is literally nothing to do at all. Anything that does come up, I can usually fit around the kids early in the morning or after they have gone to bed. I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then.

Has anyone else done this? Just managed without childcare when work was super quiet?

OP posts:
Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:46

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:37

How is it misuse of wfh?

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Because you are engaged in cc whilst contracting to work.
Answering emails on the phone whilst out with the kids?
I'm not being sarcastic when I say this doesn't constitute paid work.
Are you on contracted hours?
My views on wfh are greatly influenced by my experiences of people who I have met wfh.
In my industry, the work is never done. It's rolling 24/7/365 & you work contracted hours irrespective of how busy /not so busy you are

Sundaybananas · 24/07/2025 17:45

I think you’d be completely taking the piss.

If you honestly don’t think there is anything wrong with it then have conversation upfront with your boss and get it agreed, don’t go sneaking around.

IcelandQuestion · 24/07/2025 17:43

It would be pretty normal at our place honestly. We don’t have times that are quite as quiet as you describe, but quieter certainly.

I had a straight up discussion with my boss who is our Chief Exec that I don’t have enough holiday to cover the full holidays and clubs not available the whole time either. I suggested taking some unpaid leave and he said no need, just work flexibly, I trust you to do what needs to be done and don’t expect you to be sat at your laptop 9-5. I got this followed up in writing just in case!

I’ve organised some clubs, called in a couple of favours and DH is taking a week off as he has more leave than me. But I’m definitely going to have some days of working early mornings/ after bedtime and taking DC out to do some fun things in between.

Rosecoffeecup · 24/07/2025 17:42

Dunno, the odd day I think would be fine but a whole month is taking the piss. My litmus test is "can I justify this to my boss if pulled up on it in a disciplinary" and I'm not sure you could.

ladygindiva · 24/07/2025 17:41

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:39

I will get more of a break when they are at school.

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Fucking hell

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:41

Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:39

Whilst you are being paid for working?

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Yes. I can do both

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:40

Iwantsandybeachesandgoodfood · 24/07/2025 17:37

Do you work full time? I wfh with my 10 year old but I only do two days a week (from home) and my boss knows he’s here. I can work any hours so usually do it around taking him out. I wouldn’t spend a fortune on childcare if you don’t have to but I would check you’re not in breech of contract.

Yes I work full time. January is deadly quiet as well. I was told I did not have to come to the office at all.

OP posts:
Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:39

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 16:30

I can work from my phone. I will pick the days where there is no work/little work to take the kids out.

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Whilst you are being paid for working?

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:39

Kangarude · 24/07/2025 17:38

I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then

Why not take your leave when your kids are at home? Are you on the wind up? Confused

I will get more of a break when they are at school.

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:38

Rainbowqueeen · 24/07/2025 17:34

Will this mean you are in breach of your contract? That would be the deciding factor for me. Even if it’s not a breach of contract I would never mention it to anyone at work or to my friends. You never know what might happen if someone were to spill the beans.

I am not planning to mention it to anyone. Looking after children while working is not mentioned in my contract.

OP posts:
Kangarude · 24/07/2025 17:38

I have proper annual leave booked for September when they are back at school, so I will get a proper break then

Why not take your leave when your kids are at home? Are you on the wind up? Confused

Iwantsandybeachesandgoodfood · 24/07/2025 17:37

Do you work full time? I wfh with my 10 year old but I only do two days a week (from home) and my boss knows he’s here. I can work any hours so usually do it around taking him out. I wouldn’t spend a fortune on childcare if you don’t have to but I would check you’re not in breech of contract.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:37

Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:36

If you are being paid for a set number of contracted hours and have young children, then you will need to arrange cc.
This is another example of the misuse of wfh

How is it misuse of wfh?

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:36

Ruggerlass · 24/07/2025 17:27

I’m going against the grain here. I can see why it would be tempting given work may be quiet, but from your employer’s point of view you are at work and as such shouldn’t be galavanting out and about with your children or looking after them. Doing so could lead to disciplinary action if they were to find out so I’d think hard about doing so.

They are unlikely to find out. Both my manager and her manager will be abroad. Most of the other team are off in August too. I tend to work flexibly around one of my DC who has a lot of medical appointments and they always said it is fine as long as the work gets done. It does get done.

OP posts:
Praying4Peace · 24/07/2025 17:36

If you are being paid for a set number of contracted hours and have young children, then you will need to arrange cc.
This is another example of the misuse of wfh

Rainbowqueeen · 24/07/2025 17:34

Will this mean you are in breach of your contract? That would be the deciding factor for me. Even if it’s not a breach of contract I would never mention it to anyone at work or to my friends. You never know what might happen if someone were to spill the beans.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 17:33

MuggleMe · 24/07/2025 17:31

Do you have enough AL to book a day off a week and do something exciting, then the other days where you're at home more are ok? Or are you genuinely working for 2-3 hours and leaving the house and just not working for the rest of the day?

Some days there is no work at all. I might as well take the kids and make the most of the summer while it is so quiet. I can get any work done before I take them out or after bed. Nothing will get neglected.

OP posts:
MuggleMe · 24/07/2025 17:31

Do you have enough AL to book a day off a week and do something exciting, then the other days where you're at home more are ok? Or are you genuinely working for 2-3 hours and leaving the house and just not working for the rest of the day?

Ddakji · 24/07/2025 17:28

isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 16:29

I will be taking them out. I am not going to sit with them in the house all day for when there is no work or very little work.

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Do you know well in advance what days will have little or no work?

I’m most intrigued as to what it is you do! 🤣

Ruggerlass · 24/07/2025 17:27

I’m going against the grain here. I can see why it would be tempting given work may be quiet, but from your employer’s point of view you are at work and as such shouldn’t be galavanting out and about with your children or looking after them. Doing so could lead to disciplinary action if they were to find out so I’d think hard about doing so.

Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 16:30

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 16:29

Can you do your work via your phone out and about, or will your kids need to be stuck home all day?

I can work from my phone. I will pick the days where there is no work/little work to take the kids out.

OP posts:
Original poster
isitPeri1 · 24/07/2025 16:29

DaisyChain505 · 24/07/2025 16:20

It’s all great in theory but it makes for a pretty boring summer for them just staying in the house day after day.

can you not meet half way and book 1/2 days a week or clubs or make sure they’re doing activities and getting out.

I will be taking them out. I am not going to sit with them in the house all day for when there is no work or very little work.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/07/2025 16:29

Can you do your work via your phone out and about, or will your kids need to be stuck home all day?

WordsFailMeYetAgain · 24/07/2025 16:20

What would your employer think about this? In theory, you cannot work and look after children at the same time.

DaisyChain505 · 24/07/2025 16:20

It’s all great in theory but it makes for a pretty boring summer for them just staying in the house day after day.

can you not meet half way and book 1/2 days a week or clubs or make sure they’re doing activities and getting out.