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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that if everyone took their babies to work it would be chaos in the workplace?

84 replies

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:13

Watched www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l4529/Babies_in_the_Office_Episode_2/this earlier this evening, about Addison Lee the cab firm who had a trial of employees bringing their children into work with them - youngest was a three month old, eldest was over two years.

Interesting programme and I admire the MD for thinking in such an innovative way, but my feeling is that if the practice was widespread it would be absolute chaos and I'm not sure that it's the best environment for the children either.

I'm aware that lots of people will disagree and think it's brilliant - I'm not looking for a bunfight! I'm just interested in people's perspectives on this.

Is this the way of the future or complete madness?

OP posts:

Migsy1 · 17/07/2012 21:14

UANBU

PurpleCrazyHorse · 17/07/2012 21:19

My boss was very lovely had said I could always bring DD in for a few hrs if needed in an emergency. DD is nearly 3yo and although a lovely offer, I'd get nothing done! If DD was older then she could sit and do something quiet but not every day.

Lovely as an emergency if stuck but I don't think it's a replacement for childcare for the bulk of the day. Could be interesting alternative for after school care though, for an hour or so.

Tee2072 · 17/07/2012 21:19

I think it's madness. Better to have an onsite crèche, yes?

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:21

Glad it's not just me! I felt very unsupportive but I just don't see how you can proper attention to your job whilst giving proper attention to your child. When they're very tiny, maybe, but once they get older...

Also, the noise!!

OP posts:

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:22

I think onsite nurseries are a fantastic idea.

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 17/07/2012 21:22

Utterly ridiculous and unprofessional idea.

I have nothing but contempt for almost every Addison Lee driver that I have "met" on the roads anyway as I have yet to see one that does not drive like a twat.

LiegeAndLief · 17/07/2012 21:22

Sounds like utter madness. I do a lot of work from home and on occasion try to get something done while the dcs (5 and 3) are awake - it's virtually impossible. Would never get anything done if I actually took them to work with me!

ramblingmum · 17/07/2012 21:23

YANBU I would not be able to get on with my work and and as I spend part of my day an a hospital ward which usually has several detoxing alcoholics , it would not be a suitable environment for dd

Annunziata · 17/07/2012 21:26

I used to have all mine at work, but then I'm self employed. We had a playpen in the kitchen- God H&S would have a apoplectic fit now

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:26

Spoiler Alert for anyone who watches the programme on iplayer...

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 17/07/2012 21:27

why would any sane employer even consider this? people are employed to give their concentration to the job they are being paid for.. not have the biggest distraction in the world with them, and it is also wholly unfair on the child too.

Workplace is for adults other than in an environment that works WITH children, not a place to take your own children.

ThePan · 17/07/2012 21:27

is there an insurance question? two workers at mine want to bring their older children (11 and 7) in sporadically when they are asked to do later duties. This would be just for a couple of hours max early evening - Idon't object and it would make life sooo much easier for the workers involved.
Would HR/anyone else have a case to refuse it on insurance grounds??

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:27

They are actually going to bring the scheme in - they deemed the trial period a success and are introducing it throughout the company for babies up to a year old, with an onsite nursery for children over a year old.

OP posts:

LynetteScavo · 17/07/2012 21:28

I didn't watch this, but how do they make the environment safe for toddlers?

And how do you make a phone call with a toddler in the room?They all ways do something to get your full attention as soon as you try to have a phone conversation.

pointythings · 17/07/2012 21:29

I wouldn't have done this either, but I do think employers should get major major tax breaks for providing onsite childcare at a reasonable cost.

squeakytoy · 17/07/2012 21:29

I actually used to go to work with my mum when I was about 6/7.

H & S would have had a field day.

She worked in a cotton winding mill, and I used to freely run about around the machines collecting the empty bobbins, and get paid a quid a week!

OwlsOnStrings · 17/07/2012 21:29

It would be tremendously boring for the children, and stressful for the parents. What about meetings, etc.? Other people work with machinery, vulnerable people... Would all adults who would be in contact with the children need to be checked out? It also would be an imposition on colleagues who didn't want to spend time with other people's children in open-plan offices, etc. I would absolutely hate it, and I'm a parent myself.

The fact that anyone at all thinks this might be a good idea just goes to demonstrate the fact that having children is seen as a small, "niche" issue in the workplace, a cute little exercise to try. It would be completely unworkable if everybody did it all the time.

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:30

They decided that keeping their employees happy (the ones who want to bring their children in or don't mind spending all day with other people's babies next to them) makes up for the drop in productivity that's inevitable when someone is juggling a baby with taking calls/ inputting data or whatever.

OP posts:

myhandslooksoold · 17/07/2012 21:30

Yanbu it is crazy for the reasons already posted. Not fair to the children that get dragged into work either. Children deserve better than this- they need to be played with, interacted with, read to, fed watered and have rest in a safe and appropriate environment for them.
We live in a world where children are so pampered, given all that they want materially, yet the fact that this is even considered means that scant regard is paid to what is actually good for them.

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 17/07/2012 21:32

I cant imagine getting any work done with a baby in the office. Mine or anyone elses.
I cant concentrate if there is a baby within a 100 yards

I didnt watch the programme so how did they manage to make phone calls?
I havent been able to have an uninterupted phone call for 20 years.

Older children who can amuse themselves on the PC or do their homework shouldnt be a problem IMO but babies need so much attention.

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:32

It showed the two men who took part in business meetings and about four babies in the board meeting. The children who were most problematic were the older toddlers, and I was also at the health and safety issues. There was a shot of the toddler standing in front of heavy double swing doors on a busy sales floor - I thought 'what if some revved-up salesman comes charging through there in a hurry?!'.

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squeakytoy · 17/07/2012 21:33

I can just imagine it..

"hello, can I have a cab please"

wahhhhh mummmmmmy, wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

"sorry madam, just a moment... shhhssss darling, mummy wont be a minute"

"yes madam, sorry, you wanted a cab"

"yes please I need to go to 36..."

wahhhhhh MUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMY

"sorry madam, did you say 26?"

etcetc....

I wouldnt use that company a second time...

nellie02 · 17/07/2012 21:35

Oh my word, you're not bring unreasonable at all! Kids in the office is entirely unprofessional.

Someone brought their wife and little baby in today. Screaming baby in the office. I was not impressed. Totally inappropriate. I'm all for kids being brought in to show colleagues, but most take them to the park nearby for a picnic rather than have them hang around the office.

I can't see how parents could focus on kids and work!

Original poster

NonAstemia · 17/07/2012 21:36

Four or so of the babies were on the call centre floor! There was a sequence where the cab wasn't dispatched so they brought the employee into the supervisor's office and played the call back - you could hardly hear the customer for the sound of the baby shrieking, and the employee was so busy trying to get the baby to be quiet that she forgot to confirm the booking. In her defence though, apart from that incident she handled it all with aplomb. This was her 6th child though so a very experienced mum. I can just imagine all the mums of PFBs unable to take their attention off the baby for a moment!

OP posts:

crypes · 17/07/2012 21:36

I would like to see that useless Nick Clegg try and get some legislation going to introduce childcare for under fives into every workplace. Every Company should provide nursery care, just as it has to provide a fair working environment for disabled people. Then women would truly have equal working rights to men. It should never have to be a problem or extra expense for a woman carry on working with small children. Nick Clegg looks like he could do with standing up for the ordinary working person instead of all this House of Lords shit.

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