Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

MNHQ

Bring Your Child To Work Day - yes or no?

210 replies

MumsnetJobsTeam · 04/12/2019 11:30

Many companies have Bring Your Child To Work Day, where parents can show their children where they work and give them some experience of the workplace.

On one hand, these days can be an opportunity for children to learn, as well as find out more about their parents' lives. They can also make parents feel more supported in the workplace as their children are positively acknowledged and encouraged.

However, some say Bring Your Child To Work Day could be challenging for those who have lost a child, or are struggling to conceive. There are also some who think the practice isn't worth the potential drop in productivity - particularly for childless colleagues who are distracted, whether they like it or not.

We'd like to get your thoughts on Bring Your Child To Work Days. Are they a fun, useful opportunity, or something that should be approached with caution? And if so, what could companies do instead?

OP posts:
Valkarie · 04/12/2019 19:00

As long as it is a suitable space for a young person then I a all for it. Would be pointless with a tiny one, my toddler would be trying to eat the computer cables, but an older child could get benefit. Ok so there would be lost productivity, but only for one or part of one day out of a year. I have colleagues that can waste more time at the kettle.

While I do feel for those without children, or who like their own children and not others, you can't spend your whole life avoiding them.

nogooddeedgoesunpunished · 04/12/2019 19:37

Couldn't think of anything worse! Totally impractical for most people I would have thought. I'm all for family friendly policies and supportive work places but work is work and I couldn't do my job with a child in tow and neither could must people I know

DinosApple · 04/12/2019 19:50

We used to run a small business (car related so not child friendly) and our DC were there every evening after school and any weekend we couldn't get child care (most of them!).

At primary age both have a broader experience of people (employees and customers) and business (one is pretty savvy already) than I ever had before the age of 20. They know it's hard graft, long hours and pretty constant juggling. It's not what we wanted though, so we sold up...

Now they are at work with me every day... I work at their school Xmas Grin

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
DuesToTheDirt · 04/12/2019 19:56

I like it, within reason. Someone mentioned face painting though - I think if kids are young enough to want face painting they're too young for a bring your kids to work day.

ItsChristmaaaaaaaaas · 04/12/2019 20:10

I’ve never had my face painted.

Ginger1982 · 04/12/2019 20:12

Nope. I'd get no work done as DS would be into everything plus nursery would charge me despite him not being there. And as someone who has struggled with infertility I think it would be hard to swallow if you were struggling or had experienced loss.

Celebelly · 04/12/2019 20:22

I went to a couple of these as a kid, but they were organised days with activities that we did in a group, etc., so it was more about getting to know the workplace than the specific role your parent did. My mum was NHS, quite high up, but there were kids with parents from all levels, from the chief exec of the board to porters.

backaftera2yearbreak · 04/12/2019 20:36

No thanks. I go to work to get away from my child lol

reluctantbrit · 04/12/2019 20:38

My parent company headquarter has an annual "Girls Day" but that is organised by the marketing department who also sets up a programm and activities. That can work and it is very popular.

DD's secondary school had a "take your daughter to work day" in Y7. I couldn't do it, it was a very busy time of the months, it would mean I would have to concentrate on her and not on my work. Also, working in international fincance is absolutely not what DD will ever do.

A chance for proper work experience between 16-18, that can work and we offer that on a regular basis. These teens know what they want and look for a direction and the time spend is not wasted.

Hopingtobeamum · 04/12/2019 20:42

I work for a gaming and betting company, yeah come on kids let's teach you how to gamble lots of money!

No....way......ever!

Am sure it works for some companies but not mine!

Auberjean · 04/12/2019 20:43

I like it.

QuietlyFuming · 04/12/2019 20:50

We had ‘Take Your Daughter to Work Day’ back at school in the 90s when I was 15. I went to work with my dad who is a vet and I think I was more of a hindrance. Highlight of the day was me fainting while I watched him spay a dog and I spent the rest of the afternoon in the staff room eating Quality Street.

Plot twist: I am also now a vet. Just less squeamish these days Grin

whycantIthinkofadecentusername · 04/12/2019 21:07

I think it depends on the organisation. For example, myself and my team wouldn't be able to work when there are children in the office. Not for the reasons previously outlined, but because of the nature of our work, we have to have some very frank discussions about topics that shouldn't be discussed with most adults let alone if there were children present. As emergency planners we talk regularly about gruesome incidents and how we would respond. Whilst my DS (7) knows what I do and why. And will ask open questions about it, he knows it's not appropriate to talk about it outside the house with his friends. So it wouldn't work for us and would shut us down completely for the time the children were in the office.

Sportsnight · 04/12/2019 21:21

I think planned family days can be great, and my kids (both under 7) are fascinated to see where I work, but haven’t been in as it’s a bit of a trek. People bringing their kids in on any old day, or expecting them to sit quietly while the work is just madness though. If it’s a look round with activities planned, sounds grand.

I used to love going behind the scenes at my dad‘a work. I used to pick him up from the post office at closing time, and got to go behind the counter to wait. I don’t work in a post office now though, so perhaps the glamour wore off Xmas Grin

Icanflyhigh · 04/12/2019 21:46

I work from home 😐

Missteebeee · 04/12/2019 21:46

I work in childcare. My daughter comes to work with me every day Grin

BikeRunSki · 04/12/2019 22:00

I’ve never heard of this, but then I mostiy work on building sites.

Children under 16 are not even allowed further than the reception area of our main office.

Cremebrule · 04/12/2019 22:08

I hate mixing work and family life at the best of times. I’d find this horrendous. I’d have to commute with small children, they’d be bored shitless unless entertainment was laid on and I wouldn’t get anything done. Shadowing or work experience later on then maybe. But, there is an inherent nepotism if you just give children of employees work experience.

Back2Bali · 04/12/2019 22:20

Hell no I go to work for a break from my ds

Hadenoughofitall441 · 04/12/2019 23:03

No, I go to work for a rest. Dd 7 never shuts up, she could literally chat for England, if I took her to work I can’t even imagine the million questions she’d get in her head.

Bringmewineandcake · 04/12/2019 23:15

My office did this a couple of years ago but insisted that the children must all spend the day in a meeting room, with activities organised by random members of staff. I didn’t bother bringing my 5 year old at the time as it seemed a crappy way for her to spend her day.

Betterversionofme · 04/12/2019 23:29

I took my daughter to her dad's work when she was 5 years old. We met for lunch and he took her up to his office (job was sitting at computer whole day with some meetings thrown in) for half an hour. I waited in a nearby cafe with a baby and a toddler.
She was very pleased. She swivelled in her dad's office chair, was given chocolates by 'everyone' and 'everyone' said how cute she was. I got her back when lunch break ended.

Mandatorymongoose · 04/12/2019 23:33

It's a really fond memory for me, going to my Dad's office for the day on take your daughter to work day, I guess that would have been early / mid 90s? He worked in IT though.

I couldn't really take my DC to work due to the nature of my job (mental health) and DHs work can't have under 18s on the premises.

SouthwarkSkaters · 04/12/2019 23:38

DH’s work did a “Bring your daughter to work” day over summer, he works in IT and it was very focused on promoting STEM to girls. They did coding, robots, DD really enjoyed it. There was a lot of complaining in the office though from the people who only have boys...

safariboot · 05/12/2019 00:36

We have clients who come to use our services and have no choice but to bring their babies and toddlers, who are then obviously bored and poorly supervised while their parent does what they came in for. For other staff trying to do work it's very distracting.

So no young children I think.

I think nowadays with more importance being given to data protection, it might be difficult in a lot of office workplaces. I rarely work with anything confidential but for some of my colleagues they're working with people's personal data all day long.

Swipe left for the next trending thread