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

You've answered your own question really - what exactly does the contract say?

I wouldn't expect them to pay for my childcare. I would however say sorry, I can't do the event due to childcare reasons.

Surely if you work in events you expect to work evenings. I used to be in that industry, one of the reasons I left. My contract had a "other duties" clause and I would get time in lieu

For a large event £100 is a drop in the ocean.

Tell them that it would need to be covered or you can't do it.

Ad hoc evening childcare is expensive.

They want you they can pay. Entirely reasonable.

YABU. Workplaces should not bankroll employees' lifestyle choices.

My work don't fund my home decor, pet bills, or fashion choices. No reason why they should facilitate my having a dependent child if I chose to have one.

My work covered ad hoc boarding fees for DD for a few nights when they wanted me in London office (different city to the office where I worked). It's worth asking.

Rude.

I used to be an events manager too OP but had to stop when I had DS as I couldn't manage with the shift patterns.

Are you running someone else's event or assisting? Does this fall within your typical hours or is this additional?

if you're not obliged to do it then you give them your fee, which is enough to cover your childcare. If they won't pay it, you decline the work.

I run an events team and sorry to say it's highly unlikely I'd agree to pay for a team member's childcare. Apart from budgetary concerns I'd be worried about setting a precedent and I'm not sure how the company would feel about paying for something that comes with an element of responsibility. What I would do in this instance is ask another team member, or a colleague from outside the team, if they can do it instead, or pay for agency staff. Yes it's not a 9-5 job but there's also a limit to how much they can ask of you, and as a working parent you have certain rights. I'm sure they'll be willing to find an alternative solution but if not you might want to speak to HR.