Nursery workers drinking at lunchtime.

[Brendathedoll]

Had a rare day off yesterday so went for a pub lunch with my sister. In there I saw 2 nursery nurses from my child’s daycare having lunch and they each had a glass of wine. There were also 2 empty glasses in the table but possibly from previous customers. I wasn’t happy but my sister says it’s there lunchtime they don’t get paid for and 2 glasses won’t make any difference. They saw me and looked a bit sheepish but it means I can’t report them anon now. I’m scared if I say something they would treat my child differently. Am I being ott thinkinb they shouldn’t drink while caring for kids?

Aside from the lunch time wine consumption, two things stand out to me here - they always have staffing issues, and you fear they would treat your child poorly if you reported it. It sounds like there are multiple issues with this nursery. Is it time to find alternative childcare?

I think you need to find out if they were actually working after they had been to the pub for lunch before you even think about reporting them. I'd be surprised if their lunch break was long enough to go to the pub, order, wait for food and eat.

This! Everywhere I've worked is 30 mins break.

Half day - absolutely none of your business

During the working day - dreadful and yes I would report it. There are few employers these days who would find that acceptable and not actually prohibit it in working policies.

So actually you have absolutely no idea whether they were on their lunch break, or it was their day off? If they had time for a lengthy pub lunch I'd say it's very likely the latter.

Wind your neck in FFS.

I can't imagine they get long enough lunch breaks for a pub lunch?

If they were in fact on lunch, they shouldn't be drinking, clearly.

What makes you sure they were drinking alcohol?

I am telling you now that out of everyone I know that works in a nursery, none of them would have a long enough lunch break to enjoy a pub lunch with wine.

It’s says they shouldn’t be under the influence to the degree it impacts their ability to do the job. One glass each with lunch you’d be fine to drive. I don’t see the issue honestly. Especially as OP isn’t even sure if they were working! Can you imagine a nice lunch with your colleague on a day off and some busybody reports you drank a glass of wine!!

In addition when I am abstaining, like during pregnancy, I have sparking water with a squeeze of lime in a wine glass at dinner/pub lunches to feel like I’m part of the fun. OP doesn’t even know what was in the glasses. Massive nosey busybody to report this to the nursery.

I think those saying the lunch break would be too short have it. I might be tempted to shout across the room 'Did you have a nice afternoon off yesterday? What did you get up to after I saw you in the pub?' if I could do it convincingly enough though. Just to see what happened.

If it's possible, I'd ask the nursery manager to check whether they had half day off on that day as you might (or might not) have relevant information to pass on. If the manager says they were off, you say fab, thanks, and you don't share any details of what you saw. If they were working that afternoon, well, then you need to report them for all kids' safety.

My thoughts too. Unless you saw them at the end of that day at the nursery, it's not really fair to do anything.

It is not being a busybody to worry about your kids' nursery staff being drunk at work.

What's wrong with the nursery workers having a drink with their pub lunch?
Nothing at all as long as they aren't intoxicated. If they were, their co-workers/managers would know

Agree with this! They might have the afternoon off, especially if they've been understaffed and worked more hours recently. They're probably friends! They've gone out for lunch. Are they not allowed a weekday meal together?

Are people seriously this pathetic?

if you are that bothered act like a grown up and say ‘did you have the afternoon off when I saw you in the pub, because I noticed you were drinking wine and it concerned me.’

too much of a coward to do that? Keep your mouth shut.

I don’t work with children but even my boss wouldn’t be happy if he knew I was drinking a glass of wine on my lunch break.

I think it says don’t be drunk, or under the influence. That is different from having a glass of wine.

the key part of the sentence is …’which may affect their ability to care for the children’.

if it doesn’t affect their ability to do their job, then fine.

id have no problems with someone having a standard glass of wine. It’s interesting how everyone is assuming they had two large glasses- we don’t know!

rude.

Why? They could have had a drink and NOT be intoxicated! Too many busy bodies

Seriously?

I was assuming a standard glass. No I don't think that's acceptable at lunchtime for nursery workers and I don't think most employers would either.

The most likely explanation is that they were off though.

I've worked in nurseries and never had a lunch break long enough to go off to the pub for. Surely they were on a half day.

Well I don’t know for sure they were not off however it was almost next to the nursery so i probably wrongly assumed. I know for a fact they get an hour lunch as my sister used to work there. However as people have said not enough evidence of anything so I am not going to say anything.

Did you have wine with your lunch? If you did who looked after your child afterwards?