New job sick child Ainu to ask to work from home?

[Woesisme]

I’ve started a new great job. My manager has been really flexible so far and seems nice enough. The last person who did my job ended up working from home, but obviously she knew everything she was doing.

Anyway I’m a single mum and I really really need this job, my little boy has conjunctivitis, he has a really bad cold and is just miserable. He can’t go to nursery until his eye clears up. I have someone to help look after himfor everyday except Wednesday. Do you think it’s cheeky to ask if I could do some work from home that day? It’s just me in the office, the boss has left me several times alone whilst he goes out for meetings. My third day at work he left me alone so not as if he doesn’t trust me.
I’m just worried it will reflect badly already

In this circumstance anyone in my team would book a day of annual leave. I wouldn’t expect you to take an unpaid day but at the same time it would be a struggle to say yes you can WFH as you will be taking care of a child so how will you work? Personally the first year my DD was in nursery I seemed to use a lot of annual leave when she was poorly!

I’m going to ask my manager if I can extend my work days to cover Wednesday, if not I’ll take an unpaid day of leave. He’s always so ill so I foresee a lot of annual leave

@Wheelz46

If you are set up to WFH, I don't see any reason why you cannot suggest this to your manager. People were working from home with their children when we were in lockdown, if its good for then, why wouldn't it be good for now?

The company I work for offer hybrid working, this includes new starters, they only ask that training is in the office.

If you are not comfortable asking, maybe mention to your manager, your options, holiday, emergency child care leave or WFH then the ball is in their court.

Because a lot of them weren't actually 'working' 100% of their hours, and managers were making concessions because the entire world had gone to shit, and even the people who were working 'properly' weren't necessarily at their best either because they were stressed out for different reasons. We've moved on from that point - now if you're 'working from home', you're expected to actually work from home.

As I said, if it's just the OP and her child is small, it's not likely she'll be able to do her job throughout the day, as her child will need her attention. It'll get easier when her child is older and doesn't require active supervision.

Emergency leave is to organise childcare (not what the OP is doing), but I think it would be pretty harsh to not allow annual leave in this circumstance - it shows that the OP is switched on enough to recognise the difference between 'real' home working and childcare - and that wouldn't be negatively perceived.

@Woesisme

I’m going to ask my manager if I can extend my work days to cover Wednesday, if not I’ll take an unpaid day of leave. He’s always so ill so I foresee a lot of annual leave

It will get easier. Most kids build up an immunity as time goes on and don't come down with every sniffle under the sun anymore, plus when your child is older, you will be able to work from home whilst he's chilling in bed.

Keeping hanging on in there. It is tough right now, but you're clearly doing your best.