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?

They don't, and it's not, it's perfectly possible for employers to cover these.
I've had my childcare costs covered for my family to accompany me on a research trip.

I think people don't realise some companies can and will do things like this.

My friend has the company he works for to pay for his two kids to travel abroad 3 times a year to visit him, and he has 3 trips each year for returning home to visit. Plus they pay his accommodation overseas all year round.

The reason why a man wouldn’t ask is he normally ‘expects’ his wife or partner to organise childcare and her salary to cover additional childcare costs such as these. This is why women often can’t get back into the workforce. I remember international lawyers having babies where I used to work and then even though they could possibly afford it (or possibly claim some childcare costs depending on the case) just not being able to return as who would want to leave their very young child with a total stranger for a week or 10 days to travel abroad on some work trip?

Similarly, I also remember them sending a total stranger to care for your baby if he/she was unwell if you were in the middle of a big deal.
IMHO It’s totally inhumane and against maternal instincts and bonding to want to work over being with your unwell child. Men often (and I hope this is changing!) are happy just to go to work to ‘get away’ from the intensity and all the stress of running a household/caring for children. They need the adult interaction and being part of a team etc. Women do too which is why it is so hard being a professional woman and then having a baby.

I just came across this thread looking for info on the topic. And I have to say I think its deplorable that you would suggest OP's attitude is ruining it for all other woman. You know how we get change, we ask questions and challenge norms? We get change.

On that note, I left the UK and went to the US for work - my employer OFFERED an amount in childcare expenses when I travelled. I changed jobs and in negotiation - I asked them to cover childcare costs when I travelled - they agreed. The next US employer was much larger with very strict rules to avoid pay equity issues - so the childcare need became part of the salary negotiation and part of a salary sacrifice program where I could save on taxes by putting money aside for all childcare.

The notion that because we decided to have children means we should economically suffer is so backwards. Also, have you considered that in many instances men are leaving the children they chose to have with their wives? And that over 80% of single parents are women (many of whom did not plan on being solo parents?). Food for thought.

travel isn't mentioned in my contract therefore i do expect any related expenses when required to be paid by my employer. I'm not working for free.

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