To wonder why I can't have a laptop and work from home?

[crisiswhatcrisis]

When two colleagues are working from home today because one has the builders in and the other is waiting for the window cleaner.

Sounds unreasonable to refuse you if 2 others have been given permission - what sort of work do you do? Are you civil service?

No, private sector. The reason is its the culture in this company just takes ages to get anything changed. Just really upset today because dd v. grumpy this morning not wanting me to leave would have been easier if I could have had a little longer with her today rather than rushing off to do the daily commute into work.

With little ones you have a right to ask for flexible working; I wonder if this would come into the definition?

this could be flexible working request as spockle says, if you have children under 6.
Otherwise, do you do the same job as your colleagues?

Perhaps you could come to some flexible arrangment with your boss.

I work from home and to be honest you can't do it with a small child in the house (or at least I can't), but it does cut down the amount of childcare you need.

DS1 goes to pre-school 9.00 - 11.30 (or will do come September) and DS2 goes to childminder for three mornings. I get the things that I really need to concentrate on during that time and make any vital phone calls and then do the rest as and when I can fit it in around the children and housework etc.

I think if two other people are allowed to work from home and you have a similar job then you should be able to as well.

You should take the matter up - they can only say no!

Is there a difference in the length of service between you and the others?
Could that be why? I would definitely raise it.

Employers will always be suspicious of anyone with small children at home who asks to work from home as not everyone is intending to have childcare that truly covers their working hours.

Employers are right to be suspicious in my opinion, it's not fair on other colleagues who commute and put in a full day at the office if a colleague works from home and relies on another parent to take their child for a couple of hours in the morning and just uses a nursery for the afternoons as was the case with someone I know. It became obvious however as the quantity of work she achieved dropped substantially but tackling the issue was a tricky moment in employee relations and eventually the employee quit to be a SAHM.

well, obviously the difference is that they're doing it as a one of and you would want to do it more regularly. I assume.

I work from home & it's fab ... but I think emplyers are understandably sceptical, until they've seen for themselves that when done properly, you can actually be much MORE productive at home (assuming you have proper childcare, obviously. As others have said - ask. If you think they'll say no, why not ask for a short period of time as a 'trial' to be discussed again at the end of the trial - less commitment and an opportunity for all sides to see how it works.

Btw,ime, working from home doesn't gaurentee non grumpy children

Thanks everyone

Spockle, flowerybeanbag and Willmouse - flexible working could be an option
dal21 - similar length of service
fedupwasherwoman and funnypeculiar - I agree they could be suspicious though this could be due to others working from home waiting for builders, window cleaners and carpet fitters

I just need to be patient...

I work from home and I do mean work as I am self employed. But little one needs to be at school/out for me to do this. It is virtually impossible otherwise. I employ others, one of whom has kept her children at home while working and it doesn't work and drives me mad.
I do have friends in paid employment who sometimes 'work from home' and frankly they admit they take the p??s.
Honestly as employers both me and husband agree that in an ideal world employing people to work at home seems great but in practise it is very very difficult.

And yes during work hours, essential to have alternative childcare in place, this is a bugbear of mine...

I work from home a day a week or so, and though I definitely spend less hours actually working on these days (and more time going to post office/getting hair cut/going to gym) I tend to get more work done than when I am at work (more efficient: less interruptions, less gossip, no lunch break, less coffee, less mumsnet!!).
Obviously this assumes you are not trying to look after children at the same time, which is not working from home and is, indeed, taking the proverbial.

Morning! I definitely wouldn't be able to work from home all week. Maybe I shuld have called this thread "Why can't I have a laptop and work from home occasionally"

dd is at nursery full time now and would stll attend nursery whilst I was at home. Though she could start an hour later on my working from home days.

I think you should ask for a laptop.

My sister in law got a "remote access setting" put on her home pc so she could actually log onto the network at work from home. (I don't know how expensive this would be for your employer but possibly cheaper than a laptop).

She always did her set hours but in her own time - an like someone else said - without interuptions you get more work done in less time. I think she used to start at 7.30am, worked straight through and basically be finished for about 2.00pm. If you could do that your daughter could do a short day at nursery and you would still have got all of your work done for your employer. I'm sure she used to do bits at the weekend as well so she could have a shorter week. I suppose it depends what you do.

Good luck!

crisiswhatcrisis,

Maybe if you ask in advance it can be arranged occasionally.