Kids in workplaces all summer instead of in proper childcare

[ElleWanchoc3]

I want to ask what people think about taking your child into your workplace every weekday of the long summer holidays? Even if your employer allows it, is it fair on the child? Is it fair on the colleagues, especially those that pay for childcare and arrange their time off to cover it?

I used to have to go with my mum to work during holidays, no idea how she did it 🫠

And no it didn't effect me as a child...

It raises questions of safety especially with very young children, and if if machinery is involved. Is the employer insured for accidents? I don’t think children should be going to work with their parents, unless they are of legal working age, and will be helping in the parent’s businesses. Apart from these concerns, parents may not be able to concentrate on their work.

I don't think it's fair to other employees who are childfree or paying for childcare. It's bound to be a distraction both to the parent and other colleagues. I very occasionally took my son with me as a single parent back in the 80's. It was a very relaxed office with around 30 really friendly staff. He was around 10 years old and wasn't a naughty child but I was constantly on edge. There's only so many "little jobs" you can find to entertain them. Then there's the immortal words "I'm hungry" or "I'm tired". I suppose it's different now with ipads etc, but still.

It really depends on the age of the child as well as the nature of the workplace. If you have a 5yo then you can't leave them unsupervised while you're working, and they can't entertain themselves for more that about twenty minutes if you're lucky. So you'd be parenting them while working or not paying them proper attention and it wouldn't be fair on anyone. If you've got a pretty compliant and chill 8-10 year old then maybe for the odd day it could be manageable, if they would read, craft and play on a tablet quietly all day or could sort index cards into alphabetical order or count pens in the stationary cupboard or something. 12+ where they're basically okay to look after themselves but you can't really leave them at home alone all day, again the odd day of you just posting snacks in to them regularly and too much tablet time, fine. But it wouldn't be much of a summer holiday to be sat in a workplace every day being told to be quiet and not bother people who are working, with no other children for company and limited activities you can do.

Children are not allowed in my workplace at any time!! Even if they were, I wouldn’t bring them in. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. We can bring them as far as the front door, but we’re not allowed to bring them past the turnstiles. no exceptions.

Only as an emergency, not every day. It’s hugely distracting in an office and changes the dynamic.

I disagree with it totally. Even in an office type environment if hot tea was spilt on that child there would be no insurance when the parent sued and could risk everyone's job. Never mind the risk to the child.

It's frustrating for all other staff. None more so than those who have paid for appropriate childcare.

Raised 4 kids alone, had to pay for all childcare.

Well on the face of it it doesn't sound great but you haven't given many specifics.

Given post covid many workplaces have been brought into the family home......

Personally, no. I've never done the sort of job that I could take the kids to. Neither has DH. So it's not something I can really picture.

This reads as though someone else i doing it, you don’t like it and you want MN to say it’s wrong?

Depends what your workplace is.

In general it wouldn't work.

But there are exceptions - nanny who brings her own baby etc.

It's not fair on the child to do that for the whole summer. They really need some other activities, days out, time with friends.

Unless you work in an out-of-school club or as a childminder. Even then I think the child would need a break from that and some time with the parent when they're not working.

I work from home and my children are older, but my 9yr old has still gone to summer clubs, friends and grandparents while I work and I've taken loads of annual leave. I have a colleague who's had her 3 young kids at home all summer while she 'works'. They're always making noise in the background and interrupting meetings, it's annoyed me tbh.
I asked my boss what the deal was with having kids at home and she said she doesn't mind as long as the work is done.

I don't this is common though is it? Not many workplaces would allow it.

The times that I had to take mine to work with me during the holidays in the 80's,they would spend the whole day in my bosses office playing board games and drawing pictures with him. He was a grandfather figure to them and loved these days. If the sun was shining he would open his French doors so they could play in the courtyard and he could keep an eye on them.
He would have done the same for any of his employees

It’s not great. But I think a lot of parents are pretty desperate. Six weeks is a long time and around here there are pretty limited holiday clubs etc. I don’t think anyone would choose to do it if there were other, better options.

It would never be possible in my workplace, but I have a friend who works in the office for a trade business run by a family who always brought their kids to work, and she is allowed to bring her son to work - he doesn't mind it, and she saves about £500 over the summer.

I can't imagine many places would be happy about this, maybe as a one off if childcare fell through or something but 5 days a week all summer? I'd hate it as an employee and also would hate to think of my kids being dragged along to work with me everyday. I completely understand how difficult childcare is over the summer but it is not fair on anyone involved.

Some of my favourite memories are going to work with my mum in the 90s. A government job where everyone had their own offices though, so not open plan like now. I learned so much about using computers and socialising etc. Very different time though. Will completely depend on the child, age, workplace, colleagues etc. Don't think it can be a blanket yes or no.

It's bloody awful for the child, their parent and for the other staff. Where does the employer draw the line? I could happily accommodate it but in an office setting one day would be ok in an emergency, and only one child. Where it would become difficult is if 2, 7 or 15 members of staff decided if so and so can bring his in then i will bring mine and before you know it you have a bloody holiday club in your office.

I think the OP is getting at people who work from home with their children there also. If you wouldn’t take them to the office to work why try and work from home? Am I right @ElleWanchoc3?

I have been working half days during the 6 weeks holidays, for the 4 hours I’m working my children (11 & 7) are quite capable of being in the comfort of their own home, with their toys, iPads, tv’s. It’s not comparable to taking them into an office. Half the time my kids aren’t up yet when I start work (7.30 so I’m done by lunch time.)

Why don’t you give some context OP? Are we talking an office?

I would feel sorry for the child.

I can't recall one parent around me allowed to bring children to work.
I would hate having random kids around my work.

I do know a woman doing it this summer - but she works at a holiday club. We can't possibly judged based on the OP alone - it's written to imply a 5yo in the office Mon-Fri 9-5, but there are lots of other possibilities.