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?

Once more with feeling ...

She doesn't need to pay for childcare as she has a partner who can do this.

I don't think it's reasonable to ask your employer to cover the extra childcare costs, but it's totally reasonable to say you cannot manage a 10-day trip to Africa because you do not have wraparound care and have no means to put it in place.

Oh yeah the dinner/taxi thing is all very standard, but surely compensation for a missed gig is unusual when you could just sell the ticket. Good employer though!

But she does have wraparound care because she has a partner who can do this.

So what! A lot of the population have chosen to have dogs - should their employers pay for doggy day care if the owner has to make a business trip?

Going by the posts on here I now know why women's rights within employment are so behind Europe. Parents have rights within the workplace but it seems the women on here do not want to claim them. You seem afraid to ask thinking it'll set women back within the workplace.

Men and women work so why should women not request the things they need to - 1 be at work and 2 develop/progress at work?

If the OP was a single parent what would you guys suggest? That they dont ask? That would mean they probably wouldn't go... which may mean they leave employment fully. Which would mean that single parents are not supported in the workplace. And that definitely sets parents but mainly women back.

Can you guys really not see what you are saying when you say the OP is cheeky to ask for childcare expenses to be paid?

'A lot of the population have chosen to have dogs - should their employers pay for doggy day care if the owner has to make a business trip?'

Quite a lot of employers do pay for dog sitting or kennels if someone has to be away on business where it isn't usual for them to be away.

sorry if I’ve missed why your husband can’t cover the drop off and pick up?

anyway YANBU to ask but I’d probably just say I couldn’t go due to the kids.

I wonder about the types of workplaces you naysayers work in to think this is a big request. There are lots of extras employers give their staff members to retain them.

I'm guessing maybe there are not a lot of union members on this thread. Just a thought....

They can ask. This is the point, you can request your employer if you so wish. All they can do is say no.

And honestly, as a dog owner and lover who thinks her dog is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to this planet and shares both my sofa and my bed with my dog, this repeated comparison of children to dogs/cats/plants is ridiculous.

He works longer hours.

However the OP didn't say he had asked to be able to pick up their child during the time she is scheduled to be away and was told "No".

But it isn't a right for your employer to pay for childcare when THERE IS ANOTHER PARENT AVAILABLE, no matter whether you're male or female.

It’s weird how often I read on here that mens jobs are just not as flexible as womens when it comes to childcare. Why might this be? Anyway, if your DPs company stumps up for extra childcare when he travels for work, YANBU. But really, YABU.

I work for a university.
We've just been told to stop photocopying teaching materials to save money so I can imagine the response I'd get if I asked them to pay for childcare.

She's also said that it's not crucial for her to go on the trip and that her partner will be massively inconvenienced for the 10 days. That's a long time! If OP was the partner and had posted to say I'm being expected to cover wraparound care for 10 days while my husband goes on a business trip he doesn't need to go on there would probably be more sympathy.

Well, I think it's the OP's view that she doesn't need to go! And initially she said it was for a week, so I'm really not sure about what she wants/needs.

(And so what if it inconveniences her partner, actually? Plenty of men go on business trips and expect their partners to cope!)

My work expenses policy says they will cover if you need to work on a non working day and require additional childcare. I think only extra days count, nothing about overnight or longer hours meaning wrap around care.
I don't think YABU to ask if you work out the travel will cost you X in additional childcare costs.

Thank you! "If an employer requests extra hours then they should know to cover the costs"

Why would you give more without being reimbursed more?

Way too many women on here not asking for what they want while bending right over for the benefit of others.

Really the OP should be compensated for any out of pocket expenses incurred due to work trips. This should include childcare or dog/cat sitting. It shouldn’t be reliant on the partner taking time off to cover this.

Obviously there has to be some common sense & flexibility involved. But overall I agree with the posters that said that accepting the current status quo is adding to inequality in the workplace.

I didn't say it is a 'right' for an employer to pay childcare expenses.

I am saying it is not unusual for an employer to reimburse childcare expenses for an employee who is asked to work outside of their usual working hours.

It is not a 'big ask' or a 'cheeky' request. This is something many employers provide.

Pressed too soon.

And it doesn't matter about the other parent as they are not named in the employment contract. So, my employment contract is between my employer 'bob jones' and me. Bob jones wants me to work outside of my usual contacted hours - it is up to me to stike a deal that also benefits me as well. In the OPs case If want childcare paid. Therefore I'd ask for it.

It has nothing to do with the father/my partner.

A colleague once asked whether she could claim the cost of kennels for her dog for a week she was supposed to travel for work. It was declined. Personally I don't think childcare or pet care travel-related expenses should be claimed.

(And so what if it inconveniences her partner, actually? Plenty of men go on business trips and expect their partners to cope!)

So OP and her partner have to comply because everyone else puts up with it?

It feels like a huge leap from a contract that vaguely talks about travel and variable locations to expect someone to shoulder extra expenses for 10 days. I do think OP should push back on this. It's an additional expense incurred as a result of the business trip. If the company say they will not support this then fine, she can't go and someone else can benefit in her place. I used to travel a lot for work pre child - the world has changed since covid anyway, but I expect my employer to consider my situation as a whole person, not just as an employee. But then I also have a contract that specifies hours and location of work so my employment already feels a lot more considered than OP's.

@EarthaKittsVoice you said parents have rights but women don't want to claim them. This is not one of those rights...