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Original poster

Would you be put off by this?

95 replies

Bearbrownies · 08/08/2018 09:12

I have to do an interview soon for my business, and I have no childcare atm. Would you be put off if the person interviewing you for a job brought their kids along? My kids are 2 and 5 btw.

OP posts:
DarlingNikita · 08/08/2018 11:06

And I’d tell everyone I know about it.

Chrissakes, get a life.

AlexaAmbidextra · 08/08/2018 11:34

I’d think you were running a real Mickey Mouse outfit tbh. Interviewing in a coffee shop with two small children in tow? No thanks.

Pengggwn · 08/08/2018 11:39

Sadly, yes, I would think the business must be suffering from the lack of available childcare.

SandyY2K · 08/08/2018 12:00

It's unprofessional. Just like when I was interviewed with a dog present.

Nanny0gg · 08/08/2018 12:00

They may sit at the table as opposed to running around the cafe but they'll still need something to keep them occupied

DarlingNikita · 08/08/2018 12:05

Just like when I was interviewed with a dog present.

I would LOVE that Grin

Racecardriver · 08/08/2018 12:11

If I wanted the job it wouldn't bother me. Do you have a lot of candidates or do you really need this person?

RB68 · 08/08/2018 12:13

Just no - its ridiculous unless you are inviting interviewee to bring theirs. in my head it shows you to be disorganised and probably chaotic and I have kids - you sort childcare or reorganise interview

RedPandaMama · 08/08/2018 12:15

I think businesses need to move with the times. Many women work full time now and being a working mum brings challenges, such as childcare. I think it'd show you were an understanding employer and a nice person to work for, to be honest.

My boss allowed me to take my 6 month old daughter to my interview and I was incredibly appreciative. She doesn't even particularly like children, but I got the job.

Look up mother pukka, she talks a lot about flexible working and how children are not a hindrance to working mums.

WorraLiberty · 08/08/2018 12:21

I think it'd show you were an understanding employer and a nice person to work for, to be honest.

Why? These are her own kids.

All it shows is she can't arrange her own childcare. It says nothing at all about her being 'understanding' or a 'nice person to work for'.

Banana8080 · 08/08/2018 12:30

I hate to say it but I wouldn’t do this

AnnieAnoniMoose · 08/08/2018 12:32

I might think it was a bit unusual if you were from a Recruitment Agency, but if you had your own business it would barely register, but then I don’t go all of a quiver over an interview, I’m pretty relaxed. I’m competent at what I do, i answer openly and honestly and don’t need to ‘concentrate’ on coming up with a bunch of nonsense. If two kids put me off, I’d be looking at sorting out my problem.

And if I’m interviewing and something like that puts someone off, then that’s great, saves me wasting my time interviewing someone without the skills required to work effectively. Job done.

If someone walked out, I’d definitely consider I’d had a lucky escape, no one wants to employ a complete plank.

flowerythorns · 08/08/2018 12:35

Unless you're a Dad in a sitcom it's not ok.

If you're Adam in cold feet for example it'll be fine!

Pebblesandfriends · 08/08/2018 12:37

It sets the tone for all future interactions so if you were employing them directly and are fine with them bringing their kids to work then go ahead. If you are interviewing for someone else or have a no kids at work policy then it's double standards.

AgentProvocateur · 08/08/2018 12:38

I think businesses need to move with the times. Many women work full time now and being a working mum brings challenges, such as childcare. I think it'd show you were an understanding employer and a nice person to work for, to be honest.

This is why there is a glass ceiling - people thinking that childcare is a only woman’s responsibility.

I think businesses need to move with the times. Many men work full time now and being a working dad brings challenges, such as childcare. I think it'd show you were an understanding employer and a nice person to work for, to be honest.

greendale17 · 08/08/2018 12:38

It wouldn’t put me off. In fact I would then know that you are a child friendly employer who would be understanding if I had child care issues

DarlingNikita · 08/08/2018 12:41

If someone walked out, I’d definitely consider I’d had a lucky escape, no one wants to employ a complete plank. Grin

PeakPants · 08/08/2018 12:44

Personally I wouldn't mind, but I would be a bit worried you weren't listening to my answers.... Basically, I would be fine if I got the job, but if I didn't, I might wonder whether you were fully concentrating on the interview... Makes me sound very hypocritical, I know.
I would be very sympathetic to lack of childcare though.

kikashi · 08/08/2018 12:49

I wouldn't it could look as if you will have ongoing childcare issues and not be up to the job/contract. If you have to take the DC you should phone in advance to clear it with the company and stress it as an emergency/one off.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 08/08/2018 12:49

*And if I’m interviewing and something like that puts someone off, then that’s great, saves me wasting my time interviewing someone without the skills required to work effectively. Job done.

If someone walked out, I’d definitely consider I’d had a lucky escape, no one wants to employ a complete plank.*

What required skills? Child-minding skills? I would say the interviewee had the lucky escape. No-one wants to be interviewed by a complete plank either.

Pengggwn · 08/08/2018 13:15

And if I’m interviewing and something like that puts someone off, then that’s great, saves me wasting my time interviewing someone without the skills required to work effectively. Job done.

Nice way to idemnify yourself against the requirement to conduct business in a professional manner.

If I turned up at a job interview and the interviewer was dividing their attention between me and their children, I would believe I would struggle ever to gain their full attention, and this would waste a lot of my time.

DarlingNikita · 08/08/2018 13:33

I would believe I would struggle ever to gain their full attention

What, EVER? Even when there were no children present? Hmm

SilverySurfer · 08/08/2018 13:33

Totally unprofessional and disrespectful to the interviewee. It would indicate to me that you are disorganised if you were unable to arrange a babysitter etc prior to the interview.

As for your 2 and 5 year olds sitting unmoving and silent for the duration? Yeah right, if you drugged them up to their eyeballs maybe.

I can't believe you even felt the need to ask to be honest. I would have thought it was blindingly obvious.

LemonysSnicket · 08/08/2018 13:34

I'm a journalist and people bring their children all the time, it happens, we don't mind. In fact it gives me something to ask them about to ease them in.
Give your child a snack and a colouring book and don't worry.

LemonysSnicket · 08/08/2018 13:35

Oh, sorry I just saw you meant a job interview rather than being interviewed - sorry.

I would find it wierd but needs must

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