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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take my son to work with me whilst my boss is away?

24 replies

LaLaLaLayla · 20/08/2011 06:42

My boss is away for the next two weeks. In the meantime, I am paying the equivalent of GBP 50 per day for agency childcare. I will be the only person in the office for the next 2 weeks, and I am seriously considering taking my son into the office with me to save money. My son is 6 years old. I have just started my job, we had to find school fees for this upcoming term and we're really broke.

Is this unreasonable, do you think? My boss is a really nice guy, but I don't think I can ask him and I think he'd see it as a breach of trust if he found out.

Would really appreciate your views. Thanks.

OP posts:

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 20/08/2011 06:48

I would say do it, but my DD would quite happily sit for hours with a book.
Is your son the sort to be able to amuse himself for long periods? If he is and won't get bored or whiney, I would say do it.

acatcalledbob · 20/08/2011 06:48

I think you ABU. If your boss finds out, there will be grounds for dismissal I suspect. What work do you do? I expect there may be insurance issues even having your DS at work. I feel for you and your situation but wouldn't even consider it.

cjbartlett · 20/08/2011 06:49

Well if he'll see it as a breach of trust then you might get fired
And what will your son do stuck in an office for two weeks
Plus you'll get no work done

honeymom · 20/08/2011 06:51

I think you've answered your own question. It's a new job. You would be taking piss. How much finical trouble would you be in if you got sacked. ?

cumbria81 · 20/08/2011 06:56

I can see why you want to do it but I would worry in case your boss finds out. Maybe you could ask him and see what he says? The other issue is that your son will probably be very bored.

Mitmoo · 20/08/2011 06:58

I assume that you will be on the phone to clients or have interactions with other people while at work, only one has to hear your son and you'll end up getting sacked in all likliehood. Employers want trustworthy employees.

Not worth the risk.

Andrewofgg · 20/08/2011 06:59

YABU. It is a breach of trust - you would get less work done - and if he injured himself, and accidents happen, there would be serious insurance issues.

camdancer · 20/08/2011 06:59

I used to go in to work with my Dad at that age. I did lots of photocopying and got very good at stuffing envelopes!

But he was the boss and could make the rules. I think putting your job on the line is probably not sensible, but why not ask your boss? He might say yes, then it would be fine, but if he says no then you've not lost anything - including your job!

ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 20/08/2011 07:04

I hadn't read he part about it being a new job. So, for that reason I'm out.
YABU sorry.

AfternoonDelight · 20/08/2011 07:07

YABU. If your boss hasn't okayed it, you could be fired.

alittlebitcountry · 20/08/2011 07:44

Yes YABU for several reasons -

keeping him inside for 2 weeks with minimal chance to run round or play outside and go for walks as you have to work.
however well behaved he is you will be distracted, he's six.
you already said yourself it's a breach of trust & very unprofessional.
health and safety, if you're new how well do you know the building? We have teens in our office for work experience quite often but would have to risk assess any minors who spend time there.
insurance cover for him to be on the premises. If soemthing you can't forsee happens will your boss have responsibilty anyway?

To me it's just not worth the risk of being sacked for a short term saving.

DizzyKipper · 20/08/2011 07:47

You need permission if you want to bring your child in, either get that or don't bring him in. Sorry, but work pays you to do a job and to be 100% available to do that job whilst you're there, which you can't be if you've got a child there to look after.

PicaK · 20/08/2011 07:48

You are being unfair to your boss. It's an insurance nightmare and you put his business at risk.

Janeymax · 20/08/2011 07:53

YABU I would be surprised if you can get your normal amount of work done with a kid there. If you can't then you're not doing a fair days work.

MigratingCoconuts · 20/08/2011 07:56

YABU, on your boss and your kid....for all the reasons people have stated

InsomniaQueen · 20/08/2011 08:13

You need permission from "the responsible person" (usually a line manager or H&S rep) to have a child at work as they are not technically supposed to be in that environment. Additionally this is more important if he had any type of accident - any accident that he had there would have to be reported to the HSE - most employers would not be happy to have the HSE p looking around and they can cause you all sorts of problems if they think the incident was avoidable.....,yes I'm a H&S type but it's better to be warned witb these things.

Accidents do unfortunately happen and for the sake of £50 is it worth losing your income considering the future expenses you have coming up. Could you not share the cost with a neighbour - you pay one day and they pay the other, send your DS to a play scheme, offer part of the money to a family you know who would look after DS....I think some people would welcome £25 per day to babysit, work from home during this period? Also I don't know your circumstances so don't want to presume (sorry if I'm making a huge assumption here ) but could this not be shared between you and DS's father?

Original poster

LaLaLaLayla · 20/08/2011 08:33

InsomniaQueen, we don't live in the UK, so things like 'health & safety', 'play groups' and 'neighbours' don't really apply :)

Thanks for your replies, though - I have given it a lot of thought. My son would be happy to sit next to me and do some work for a few hours (it's Ramadan so we are only working a few hours a day). However, I think if my boss found out he would feel annoyed that I had not told him. He's a nice guy and I really don't want him to think that I've taken the piss.

So, I shan't be taking my son to work. God knows how we are going to pay the agency, but hopefully they will let us pay at the end of the month.

Thanks again for your honesty - I really appreciate it :)

OP posts:

Original poster

LaLaLaLayla · 20/08/2011 08:43

I just called the agency, they won't allow us to pay at the end of the month. Either we pay daily, or in advance. Shit :(

OP posts:

TastyMuffins · 20/08/2011 08:44

I think you should ask the boss, if he says no, thank him and accept the situation. I take my 6 year old son to work sometimes but it is never more than once a week and never more than 4 hours. My boss had agreed this beforehand.

musicposy · 20/08/2011 08:47

Why don't you just say to your boss what you've said on here -

"As it's Ramadan, so short hours, and I'm the only person in the office next week I was wondering if I could possibly bring my son in with me. I will ensure he is no trouble, doesn't distract me, and should he do so, I will find other arrangements for the next day. I quite understand if this is not possible."

If it'll be as little problem as you say, there's no harm in asking.

Knackeredmother · 20/08/2011 08:55

I don't think it's that bad at all. I used to go to work with my parents when they were stuck for childcare.
If you really feel you can't ask him I would just say child care fell through and you didn't want to let your boss down and this was the only solution.
Not exactly the same but my cleaner and nanny often bring their children to work if their childcare falls through.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 20/08/2011 09:01

I think you should ask your boss. If he says no then you're no worse off than you are now.

melpomene · 20/08/2011 09:06

Agree that you shouldn't take him to the office. Do you have to physically be at the office, or might it be an option to work at home some days (with your boss's permission)? If working at home you could set your son up with DVDs to watch so you could get on with your work and he'd have all his toys available too.

magicmummy1 · 20/08/2011 09:44

Agree that you should ask the boss and/or investigate whether you could work from home for that period - this would probably be a better option, as your DS will be in a safe environment and it will be easy to keep him entertained.

I have taken dd (also 6) to work on occasion, with my boss's blessing. It has been fine, because I have been very clear with her that I'm working and she needs to entertain herself. I don't feel that it would be fair to expect this of her more than once in a blue moon, and every day for a couple of weeks sounds unfair to her.

As a boss, I have also allowed staff to bring their children to work from time to time, but usually only if their childcare falls through and not usually because they want to save money. However, if someone was struggling to pay for childcare upfront, then I would certainly consider what could be done to help. If someone brought their child to work every day when I was on holiday, without bothering to tell me, I would definitely consider this a breach of trust, and I would be looking at disciplinary action.

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