To ask if MP's should be allowed to take children into parliament?

[parentingperson]

I know that we are becoming more progressive and all, but I'm not sure I agree with a baby being brought into the parliamentary chambers where debates and policies are made. My reasoning is that I couldn't take my child into my workplace. I wouldn't be able to fully concentrate on the job at hand and when I am at work, I am there to work.

Thoughts?

YANBU. Children and babies don’t belong in the workplace.

Looks like it has now prompted a review

www.itv.com/news/2021-11-24/mp-stella-creasy-criticises-parliamentary-rules-on-bringing-her-baby-to-work

YANBU.

Until the average person can bring their child to work I don't see why MPs should be able to.

I have small children and I know I don't concentrate as well when they are around. Caring for small children is a consuming thing.

YANBU.
Mind you half of them are asleep in the chambers even on TV... so maybe a screaming baby is a good thing to make them stay awake and actually pay attention to their job.

Similar thread here with similar YANBU views!

No I don’t think we should normalise women being expected to bring small babies to work. What I’d prefer is better maternity leave for MPs (and better maternity pay for everyone).

Yes but did you get paid maternity leave? We are not talking about a toddler here, but an exclusively breastfed baby. Her job cannot be done by a temporary member of staff as if she does not turn up to debates, her constituents are not represented.

I don’t really think it’s appropriate to bring your child to work no.

They should be given paid maternity rights like the rest of us, as well as cover for their work. And when there are any number of bars and clubs at Westminster surely a nursery wouldn't be too much to ask?

I do though support maternity leave for MPs. Other important jobs manage it.

Aren’t MPs now able to attend parliament remotely? Couldn’t she do that?

@upaladderagain

They should be given paid maternity rights like the rest of us, as well as cover for their work. And when there are any number of bars and clubs at Westminster surely a nursery wouldn't be too much to ask?

They are given 6 months on full pay aren't they? The baby is 3 months old. If she has chosen to not take her leave then surely it is like the rest of us and must find childcare for the times she is required at work?

She is making a point

www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/31/stella-creasy-launches-campaign-to-get-more-mothers-into-politics

No but there needs to money available for maternity leave and to cover the cost of a maternity cover.

I think that it should be on a job by job basis.

I think the review is needed.

I don't think it would be normalising women taking kids into work

I don't think it would impact Maternity Pay or Leave for everyone else

I think she has a point and, to repeat, I think a review is a good idea - for the House of Commons.

I think anything that highlights the absolute struggle it can be to juggle the needs of babies and children around the attitudes we have towards women taking time out of the workplace to while pregnant and raise their own offspring is a good thing. It’s a great visual representation to start the debate, but in practice this means better maternity practices and more convenient, affordable childcare, not literally having your baby accompany your to your place of work.

no I think its wrong. they need to concentrate.

No it's not appropriate for a child to be in the workplace. You're there to work not look after a child. MPs get 6 months maternity.

[quote ImperfectTents]She is making a point

www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/31/stella-creasy-launches-campaign-to-get-more-mothers-into-politics[/quote]
One that needs to be made!

@anon12345678901

No it's not appropriate for a child to be in the workplace. You're there to work not look after a child. MPs get 6 months maternity.

You may have missed the details!

They have an on site nursery

www.parliament.uk/about/working/nursery/

@iloverainandrainbows

Yes but did you get paid maternity leave? We are not talking about a toddler here, but an exclusively breastfed baby. Her job cannot be done by a temporary member of staff as if she does not turn up to debates, her constituents are not represented.

They're not considered employees, the same as self employed women. I'm glad to see they will now get 6 months maternity leave and pay, but hope that they continue to push for all women to get the same; they won't though I expect. Her job was more or less done by someone else last time she had a baby, but funding was rejected this time. They can vote from home by proxy, of course not the same as being present but that is a choice they make when they get pregnant. If I was self employed I'd have to make the same sort of choices- if absolutely no one could do my job if I wasn't there then that would have to factor in.

@upaladderagain

They should be given paid maternity rights like the rest of us, as well as cover for their work. And when there are any number of bars and clubs at Westminster surely a nursery wouldn't be too much to ask?

@upaladderagain there is a parliamentary nursery and its significantly cheaper than all the nurseries I've been looking at in south london 🤔

www.parliament.uk/about/working/nursery/

Not appropriate at all, not when the rest of the workforce has to manage.

That nursery only takes children from three months. The baby in question is exclusively breastfed. It’s probably not practical to stick her in the nursery just yet, they don’t just suddenly flick to being nursery ready as soon as they get to three months old.