To take my toddler to work...?

[Allthebiscuits]

DS developed a temperature at nursery. My DH left work to pick him up. Nursery policy means he has to be kept off for 48 hours. Fair enough. I thought it would be considerate to let work know asap that I would need to look after my DS on the second day as DH took the first day to look after him. However work claim this isn't an unforeseen illness and are insisting that I apply for dependency leave (which would be granted but possibly without pay). AIBU to take my toddler in to work...? He's not 100% but also not horribly ill.

Of course you can’t take him to work. Did you really have to ask?

You obviously know whether or not you will be allowed to have a toddler at work with you? It seems highly unlikely, but we don’t know do we?

Surely theres no way on earth your boss will allow him at work.

Depends on your actual job, the area you work in, your child etc

If you do admin, in your own office where you can shut the door & your toddler can largely amuse themselves with toys,colouring,iPad etc then sure... if you’re a teacher, probably not these days! Not unheard of in my day

You might sympathy’s with the lady on the other thread who has had her teething child sent home & told he has to be off for 48 hrs after his temp returns to normal. Absolutely fucking ridiculous.

YABVVVVVVVU

HTH

Get a childminder, I never had these crazy rules. How the hell can people work?

FFS yes, let's take a sick and contagious child to a school, it's not like anyone is at risk to be infected there is it...

How the hell can people work?

ideally ask family if around, or friends - and reciprocate.
Alternatively pay a babysitter, a child minder, or even an au-pair or even a nanny.

How do you think people work?

What @ladybee28 (and then others) said.

If he isnt able to mix with other dc, at Nursery, why on earth would you think it okay for him to mix with other dc at your school ?

That said, what a ridiculous new policy for the Nursery to make up. 48 hours clear is for d&v, not a temperature.

The nursery won't have him due to sickness policy, but take him to school while he's still possibly infectious? FFS.

My headteacher would hit the roof is someone asked that. And also think you were mad.

Your mistake was to advise them on day one about day two tbh. Knowing your works policy and childhood illness, had you evaluated on a 'day by day' basis you wouldn't be in this position given this wasn't long term.

Yes that's shit for planning, but if they take a hardline like that at less than 24hrs notice you know where you stand.

I can’t believe this post!

Phone in the morning and say you have caught it and you are ill now.

I remember this happening in the 80s! Teachers would bring their children to work and they would sit in the library/staff room.
A few were there because boarding school ends early but others (not certain) were recovering.
Do schools still do this?

We can't take the hit financially at the moment.
Sooooo you take him to work where he possibly infects multiple other children who need time off and whose parents then get to take the financial hit?
If I found out that staff were taking sick children in to a school where my child attended I’d complain.

I feel your pain but no, absolutely not!

No one at my office would bat an eyelid.

Do you think the 48 hour rule, which will be in place at your dcs school shouldn’t apply to you?

I know it's a difficult situation but of course you can't take him into work.

You call in in the morning and say you are ill, too. Surely, that means you'll also have 48h off.

We live abroad and have just had the same scenario. Thing is, though, that ours here is paid and since both DH and I are teachers, our two headteachers are also quite understanding. Both have children, too. Here, we get 10 days per year each. The first day gets paid, then medical insurance covers loss of income.

The 48 hour rule in schools is for D&V not temperatures Mummyoflittledragon - there's no infection control reason not to take him if he's only had a temperature which is now completely gone.

However you won't be able to concentrate on office work (do you work in the school office?) with a toddler present all day. An 8 year old yes, but it wouldn't be practical with a toddler. If you're a teacher it won't be allowed (unless you teach exclusively childcare...) and you'll know that already...

I agree with those saying you need a childminder or a new nursery with a more sensible illness policy (48 hour rule for d&v and notifiable illnesses, don't send a child who actually has a temperature or one whose had ibuprofen/ paracetamol in the last 6 hours).

So if your child infected children and adults at your work place would you be willing to compensate for lost wages?

No, so don’t be so incredibly selfish.

Don’t be ridiculous.
Get a childminder or a babysitter.

It's shit, but that's life as a parent.

I would also phone in that you are unwell and take a sicky. It's not ideal, but if you are stuck, you are stuck.