To expect work to pay for my childcare?

[YRGAM]

My first ever foray into AIBU! I work in events management and I have been asked to help out at one of the company's evening events, which would involve me being in attendance until gone midnight and then an hour plus journey home. This is not one of 'my' events (which is how events management workload is often divided). OH is also at a work event that evening that was arranged prior to me being asked. Would it be reasonable for me to say I will only work at the event if my childcare bill (probably north of £100 as it involves a nursery pickup) is covered as a business expense?

I am not contractually obliged to work on this event, but the contract wording is quite vague ('any other duties', etc). Not really sure what to do

[Aintnosupermum]

You took a position in events. What did you think was going happen?

[CrotchetyQuaver]

Well the worst that happens is they say no, so it's worth a shot

[Lycanthropology]

Tell them childcare considerations and costs would make it impossible for you, and see if they suggest anything or offer to pay.

[Hoardasurass]

Don't be ridiculous you pay for your childcare costs like everyone else.
If you can't do what sounds like an extra event then don't do it

[ComtesseDeSpair]

You can definitely ask: if you’d attendance is genuinely required and the event couldn’t run without you then they have motivation to agree. I’m not sure you can state you have no contractual obligation to work on this event unless your contract specifically states that you will only work on events to do with X, Y and Z and this does not fall into that category, or that you will not work on events which run beyond a certain hour. Does it state that?

[DDivaStar]

It depends how much they specifically want you there. Yes definitely say that you have no childcare and you'd need that covered to be able to attend.

[NuffSaidSam]

No harm in asking. But I wouldn't expect it if evening work is something that you can reasonably be expected to do in your line of work (which presumably it is?).

[BasiliskStare]

I think most jobs do not pay for childcare - either your hours and salary generally cover this or not. & that is the dilemma many face

[Chakraleaf]

Yabu

[abovedecknotbelow]

Ha good luck with that!

[Pumperthepumper]

Definitely worth asking the question.

[washingbasketqueen]

I think it's unlikely they would pay. In these circumstances my dh and I would discuss the event and decide which was more important. Is this a one off/ reoccurring event? Will it impact on your/ his career if you don't attend?

[MoreTeaLessCoffee]

I think it's fair to ask. Then they can decide: they want you there enough to pay, or they're not bothered enough to pay. Or they put their foot down and you have to go and no childcare refunded. I personally think the latter scenario is the least likely but if that's what they say, at least you know where you stand.

[AllTheUsernamesLeftAreShit]

I think it's worth explaining the situation and asking, but without expecting them to say yes.

It's not exactly equivalent, but I work set shifts and if I'm required to attend work outside those times then childcare can be claimed back through the expenses system. I'm very lucky and it's unusual, but not completely unknown.

[NoSquirrels]

Make them aware you have a childcare issue as this was not an event you had sufficient prior warning to schedule in. Reiterate that you don’t have any issues on your ‘own’ events as you always arrange with your husband to cover (make sure this is true!) See what they suggest.

Then if unsuccessful discuss with your DH whose event is most crucial, or if it’s worth £100+ for neither of you to default on an obligation.

[mumyes]

I would definitely ask work. Maybe subtly though.

If they want you there enough, they will pay!

[MaverickSnoopy]

I would personally just say that my OH already has a work event that night and that unfortunately you can't afford the childcare cost which is circa £100+ in addition to your normal childcare costs. Then see what they say.

[YRGAM]

Thanks for the responses. The event can very much function without me, I was asked there to perform quite a specific task that a colleague who is going can also do. I am also at the event during the day anyway, it's just the evening part that is a problem. So I went back to them pretty much with @MaverickSnoopy 's post. We will see

[ILikeHotWaterBottles]

@Aintnosupermum

You took a position in events. What did you think was going happen?

This. 😂Any other duties too means just that, they can have you doing anything.

Try and get childcare, if you can't, tell them you can't do it because of that. But you can't ask them to pay your childcare bill. You chose to have them.

[wannabeamummysobad]

Exactly what @MaverickSnoopy said.

This event you've been asked to attend is surplus to your standard work responsibilities. Tell them that you have plans (your kids) and no financial means to pay someone else to look after them due to insufficient notice. I think you'll be able to claim.

Pre kids I claimed hotels and taxis if a work event made it difficult (not impossible) to get home. I use the motto "if not for work" ie if not for work would you be there? If yes, you pay. If no, they pay.

[DancingBudgie]

Don't be ridiculous!

[Testina]

My company is very specific in contract that other duties outside normal hours are expected, and very specific about not covering childcare. They don’t take the piss - the hours are known when you take the job, and they’ll work around childcare as much as possible. But bottom line - policy, no.

I know one person who had it authorised when at almost no notice she had to go to another country to work on a problem - that wasn’t considered “normal” variation, plus she had them over a barrel 😉

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I would never tell my employer to pay my childcare bill directly. If it’s outside your job expectations/ requirements then just say no imo

[YellowTreeHouse]

YABVU. Your childcare issues are your problem to sort, nobody else’s.

[lickenchugget]

That’s the nature of working in events. It’s not for them
to cover your childcare. Childfree employees could then claim they’ve missed out on extra benefits too.