Asking employer to cover childcare costs

[Totupthenumberspls]

I’ve been asked to go on a business trip for a week, is it unreasonable to ask the company to pay the incremental childcare costs?

Presumably what it means was discussed at interview or when being offered the job. In OP's case, it clearly means the possibility of overseas travel. In any case, she can say no easily it seems, so that makes it easy. She says no.

I value myself which is why I don't see myself as default childcare and expect my husband to step up when required.

You wouldn't be out of pocket if you expected the same from your husband.

And really, we all have to pay something out of pocket in order to work generally, whether it's the cost of our commute or parking, the cost of a suitable range of clothing and footwear (unless in a uniform role), the cost of lunches when we're away from the house etc. and any childcare at all at any time for that matter.

Likewise.
At what point would you draw the line at your employers request then? If they ask me to go away for a year, is that ok?
I think it’s my employers problem as they are asking me to do something that is not my job.

Then your husband needs to make himself available. Its that simple

At what point would you draw the line at your employers request then? If they ask me to go away for a year, is that ok?

But they're not asking that, so it's irrelevant.

I think it’s my employers problem as they are asking me to do something that is not my job.

But it is your job. You've said yourself that your contract covers business travel 🤔

When travelling on a business trip you will have a daily food/travel allowance.
so the value saved on food and travel for you for the week could go towards the extra nursery cost.

Businesses generally won’t pay for childcare costs unless they ask you to cover last minute for something. I’m presuming you have adequate time to plan your childcare for the week you are away.

I run my own by business. If I asked someone to go away and it meant them having to pay £300 on childcare I would let them expense it.

I've worked at companies before with parents who worked part time, if they were asked to work on their day off they could add the extra childcare to expenses so it seems normal to me.

Just ask, worse they can say is no and then understand why you don't want to go.

Exactly!! The responses on here are just embarrassing. This isn't Mary and the baby Jesus, your kid isn't that special OP. You're normal, like everyone else, having a kid doesn't give you special rights

Well it’s been interesting. But I will ask, and I shall update on their reply.

Disrupting this balance because work needs change is a total pain in the arse.

I don't think anyone is saying otherwise, but that doesn't make it the employers' problem to solve.

Key being 'directly incurred' - childcare is not such an expense.

The same way that mileage is typically paid from your place of work, not your home.

@Justfinking no shit.

Ask, they either say yes or no. As an employer I would cover the cost and if a man had to go away and his wife needed help, same.

A job that needs someone to be away for a year would generally need a very special contract. Such jobs do exist but they are advertised as based overseas, with possible overseas extended travel (which then usually includes the cost of relocating for an extended period for the whole family), and you know what you are in for when you take it on. That sort of job is normally not under a general travel clause.

I think it's other posters who are being deliberately obtuse.

The point is that the employer is asking her to do something outside of her normal scope that would incur additional expense to her. When my employer asks me to dyne around delivering leaflets in my vehicle, I claim for mileage. This employer wants this employee to travel abroad, so she can set last discuss with them claiming for out of pocket expenses like childcare.

YABU. Is this part of your job and expected or not. Why can't your partner cope.

Problem is OP, because you’ve been so aggressive on this thread, if they do agree to pay, no one will actually believe you as everyone will think you’re making it up to defend your position!

I'm so glad I'm not managing you.

In my line of work, travel to conferences is part of our roles. A significant part of this - the travel there, evening meal and so on - is outside our 'contracted hours'.

It's considered part of our roles and professional development.

Not everything in a workplace can be calculated exactly - it's part of give & take and in a good workplace, both employer & employee should benefit, overall.

Which is why I said - have a mature conversation about this, and balance both sets of needs.

The point is that the employer is asking her to do something outside of her normal scope that would incur additional expense to her. When my employer asks me to dyne around delivering leaflets in my vehicle, I claim for mileage. This employer wants this employee to travel abroad, so she can set last discuss with them claiming for out of pocket expenses like childcare.

But the mileage is unavoidable as it's part of the job you're being asked to do - therefore it's a standard business expense.

Childcare is nothing to do with the employer.

That's grand. Your choice - it's fine for them to ask, it's fine for you to say no.

You were being asked to do something outside your contract - that's the difference.

OP is not.

This is the mystery!!
The OP is refusing to answer that question!

I'm amazed you can't see how utterly unreasonable you are being.

As I've said (repeatedly), have the conversation about your preferences with your employer. Some might be prepared to offer some payment that would alleviate those costs.

But no, they are not unreasonable to ask you to travel and expect you to manage the childcare implications.

But @Totupthenumberspls you are not single.

All I was saying is managers have to justify additional expense requests and if I agreed to cover your childcare expenses it is likely our accounts department would ask if other reasonable options had been considered - the present and invoved father of your children stepping up whilst you are away would be, for me, a reasonable alternative to paying for extra childcare.

@ElaineMBenes ive answered that previously,