AIBU to think working from home with chickenpox child is unfair?

[Wfhsucks]

So I called work this morning as my 5 year old son has chicken pox and they advised for
me to still work (from home) I am really struggling juggling everything and I don’t think it is fair as I couldn’t take him into the office and be expected to work?

What were you hoping for?

Well take parental leave ?

Emergency leave for dependents

Well just say sorry no can do & take a day leave (paid/unpaid?) Or make the time up?

So you wanted to take your sick child to work ?

No, this my point, I wouldn’t be allowed to take him into the office so why am I expected to work with him whilst I am at home?

Well you could have requested unpaid leave or annual leave if you didn't want to work. I suspect they suggested that you WfH to help you out so that you didn't lose a day of leave or pay. If you wanted annual leave or unpaid leave instead you should have been clearer about communicating that.

Sorry misunderstood, you could have taken parental leave or a half day maybe, did you want your work to just give you time off ?

So they are suggesting you don't cut into your leave or take unpaid leave. Sounds like a very kind and considerate employer.

You’re not. They are giving you a choice here - ‘we are happy for you to WFH, or alternatively you will have to take parental leave’

By that age I've definitely done this - they're old enough to be plonked in front of a Disney film and just checked on every so often. What is it you're not able to juggle?

whats happened previously when your child has been unwell? Have you worked from home or taken leave? Is it paid or unpaid?

Would they not let you take unpaid leave or holiday.

I totally see where you are coming from.

This is why I don’t like the idea of working from home. You’re still expected to work if you’re ill (and if your kid is ill).

I’ve been quite stern with work and said I can’t work if one of them is ill. What are they going to do about it?

I started having awareness seizures during pregnancy. Several times a day, several in the office. My line Manager rang me and said ‘this is why we can work from home’. How fucking cheeky!! I went off sick for 5 months instead and had my multiple daily seizures in peace.

You wouldn’t take him to work because he’s contagious.

It sounds like a classic case of people projecting their experience on others. Bet the person who suggested you work from home assumes that your son is sleeping most of the day (like their child) or they have a stay at home spouse who looks after the child when they are ill so they don’t know what it’s like looking after a sick child.

You are an adult, they can’t see or know your child, you should have said ‘no I can’t, he needs my care, I’m taking emergency parental leave’. Many would be happy to not loose pay for this but if you aren’t then say so.

I guess they think WFH is giving you leeway without using up your AL, sorry I wasn't being obtuse i genuinely misread your post.

Perhaps they thought they were doing you a favour so you didn't lose pay or holiday

For me this is the beauty of WFH.

I would not be able to continue attending work with an ill child, but I can avoid taking unpaid leave if WFH and flex around their needs.

My youngest had a sick bug in the winter and was off all week (as had to add in the 48 hrs to clear). It would have been awful of I had had to be off for all that time but instead I worked while he napped and when he didn't need me/was happy in front of the tv or curled up next to me reading or playing. I also got through all the washing 🤢 and cleaning in between emails etc.

Surely they are aware that my productivity won’t be as good and obviously with my son being here I am
not focused. I always work from home anyway but I genuinely believe that you cannot possibly work when you are looking after a child

So you take leave parental/annual/unpaid if you do not want to work from home. You are hardly suggesting that your employer give you paid time off just because your son is sick. I don't really see your point about not being able to bring him into the office.

Could you take annual leave or unpaid parental leave instead? Did you ask for that as an option?

I just didn’t think employers allowed it to be honest.

I think they would assume you cannot focus 100% on work but they are probably thinking you could work around the care needs for your child. For me that was always a positive when I had sick children.

What is it that you would like? Would you rather take unpaid leave?

Why are you refusing to tell us what you expected. A paid day-off?