“Most employers won’t let you WFH and look after children”

[choochoowah]

Is this actually the case? I know some must have this policy but my husbands certainly doesn’t: they don’t know or care what he does in the day as long as the work gets done (he works from home twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.)

WFH isn’t an option in my job so I don’t know. I’m just wondering how common this is as an actual policy.

Completely standard in my experience. Employees generally have an obligation to devote their full time and attention during office hours. Anything which detracts from that is contrary to the norm (and potentially a breach of contract) even if anecdotally there are exceptions.

If the company I work for found out a home worker was doing this, they’d be straight into the office 5 days a week, with a written warning.

If it’s not then it should be! In terms of children who actually need care. It’s one thing being in the house for older kids (10 or so+) and caring for young children.

You’re not working if you’re caring for children, and you’re also not caring for the children.

This was something people did out of necessity during COVID, but personally I don’t think anyone should have had to.

Depends on the age of the child. If you’ve got a 13 year old at home during the hols, that’s totally different to looking after a toddler. Our WFH policy would stipulate you can’t work from home and care for children who are under a certain age.

Yeah my workplace don’t care at all…as long as the work is done.

Not allowed in my Gov dept. People try it, and they are reminded they need childcare all days they work. It’s not fair on the child, or employer.

It’s very standard.
While some companies might be happy enough with a few hours here or there in between clubs during the holidays with older kids almost none will be happy with a preschooler or baby at home full time. It’s a full time job to care for a child that age and it can’t be done properly along side a full time job.

I don't know a single person who is permitted to do it, no.

I'm aware it's also very different from a teenager off sick from school for a couple of days who can self manage most of the time vs caring for a young child all day. The former would likely not be an issue at all. The latter is not acceptable.

Very standard.

At my company, it is policy to have childcare in place for children under 12.

It is totally standard
childcare should be in place - I know of no employers who say crack on to juggling client calls / work / meetings and a toddler (for example)
how can you do both? It’s not fair to anyone

I have a 10-month old and I manage about two short emails per day on the days I’m looking after him 😂 (I’m not employed, I’d never get away with it)

It’s not allowed for younger children at my work, unless an emergency means care has to be juggled and the parent feels able to do a bit of both (they take the day off if not). Colleagues with older children that don’t need close supervision work with them there during the holidays and after school.

It’s partly so people can focus on their work but also health and safety - if people are caring for young children and trying to work, an accident could easily happen.

Yes, this is completely standard but I have been lucky to have worked for 2 organisation as where they have been child friendly. The first one I worked when I had my first baby, they insisted I brought her with me to the office whilst I worked. Where I am now, they have had no issue with me having my kids with me since we all went wfh at covid time, my youngest was 8 then. My work has never suffered and my DC have always been fairly independent so no problems.

Normal, the policy at work is for children under 12, who must have childcare in place during working hours.

In practice we’d turn a blind eye if someone had a 10yo off sick for the day which is reasonable.

I WFH 3 days a week. My ten year old will be home with me for some of the holidays and it’s absolutely fine.

My company does not have a formal policy but I’m sure questions would be asked if someone had a toddler at home with them! Obviously that’s not appropriate. But for an older child who can entertain themselves or have a friend round, yes it’s fine.

My child fully respects if I have meetings and cannot be disturbed. In fact somebody senior to me often has their younger children appearing on a work call, swinging around their neck and being distracting etc and nothing is ever said. I do think it looks very unprofessional though 🤷🏼‍♀️

It's totally standard. How can you work and look after a small child?

Not where I work. We work hybrid and my colleague has a 5 year old and on school holidays she looks after him whilst working from home.

it’s not a secret and everyone knows this happens.

Surely nobody can work with kids around!?

how does it work logistically? Is it safe?

Guess what, most places don't allow you to bring your kids to work with you and never have. Shock horror.

It depends. A child being off school unwell and needed a supervising eye while watching tv would be fine. Expecting to regularly care for a toddler while ‘working’ would not be fine.

Not sure what your 'AIBU?' is ?

But I agree with everyone else.
It is basic common sense. However, common sense seems to not be that common in some people, so more and more employers will have put a formal policy in place.
It does depend, as you say, on what you mean by 'children' as dc get to an age where they can be in the house and know not bother you.

Plus, of course, there will always be some people who have to "get the work done" over the week or month and don't mind if you do it between 6pm and 1am when the other parent gets home.

I wfh when my dc are here but they are 13-17, bring me drinks but leave me alone in my study. Dh has a colleague whose high needs dd regularly joins calls and disrupts meetings. People are sympathetic but she’s senior civil servant so earns well and needs some form of childcare. People take the piss and it spoils it for those who need one off flex.

On Mumsnet, it involves having children who occupy themselves with improving activities which never disturb their parents

IRL, it involves a lot of screen time or slacking off work

I WFH in emergencies (snow day/child sick/inset day i forgot about). But I've got flexi, so I can put in a couple of hours and do the rest after childs bedtime.

Whether it's company policy or not seems irrelevant really.

Can your DH really work and look after young kids at the same time?