WFH? Will your employer be fine that you will also have your kids around?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

I may need to WFH 4 days a week due to coronavirus and social distancing etc (there's a specific task I need to be on site for which would take one day).

I have a 5yo and an 8yo. I suspect I can perform my role to a very basic level with them around (responsive role so phone and email right next to me).

Anyone else spoken to their employer about WFH with small dc?

I think the employer will have to just suck it up! What else do they expect you to do? You are trying your best to help keep their business running so it’s the very least they can do to allow you a bit of slack as there’s children around.
These are unprecedented times, unless you employer is the NHS or an essential part of the UK’s infrastructure that keeps the country running then to be honest they will just have to live with it. Tough!

Yes...That's sort of how I feel.

I'll do as much as I physically can from home. I will sort it so that the dc don't need to come in with me on that one day. But I will offer a responsive service so shout if you need me type of thing.

Well, they'll just have to! DP's employer has said just to do the best he can. I'm NHS So still going in, but working flexible hours so that dp can get work done when he really needs to

I'm planning to tag team with DH. We are lucky we can both be flexible. He's part time anyway which is a massive help, but I'm planning on working 6-9am, then 2-8pm. I'll look after the DC 9-2 when he works. I guess it really depends on the nature of your jobs. Does it all fall on you? My employer would not be understanding if I worked when the DC were around to enable DH to work for someone else. There will have to be give and take all round.

I’ve emailed my immediate bosses and one has come back and said she Can take on more of my stuff . The ceo has already said she will have her kids at home with her so don’t think company can do much about it .

Mine thankfully are fine with it, and there's not really a choice is there? I've been on MS Teams all day with colleagues, my DD got curious and popped into view, several cats walked over keyboards and people's OHs have been bringing tea and saying 'hi'. I'm voluntary sector, so we tend to be more pragmatic, but really, any childcare options left need to be for essential workers.

So grateful for mine. They've told us to just do the bare minimum, whatever is possible. No change in pay, not expected to work my hours.

Mine are fine with it.

Not sure what will happen once we're out of isolation, schools are still closed and work expect someone to be able to go in if needed though

My direct line manager is home himself with his own kids (his wife is on mat leave) so I'd expect him to understand.

Slurpy

That actually sounds quite lovely

My employer has said to just do the best we can. DH and I are both wfh but DH is on phased return and working mornings only.

Both dh and I now home
We going to tag team for the time being we can do some hours in evenings or weekend.
I Usually work mon-thu I think I’ll work Monday-Friday now so can do hours across extended days

I think they just have to be ok with it. It's unprecedented times for everyone, they need to be flexible and realistic as much as possible. I have a 5 year old and 18 month old, it's going to be interesting

I’ve heard of companies asking people to take unpaid leave....that won’t pay the mortgage

I think mine has accepted we're going to wing it a bit. I'm a LP so I'll figure out a rough timetable and we'll see how it goes.

I have a core list of daily/weekly/monthly tasks which I can guarantee them I will do on time from home.

What I cannot do is sit and look at my screen from 9-5.

On the other hand even though we have the technology our workplace is not allowing our team to WFH as we work giving technical advice to customers about our product. They are afraid that if we WFH we will not be able to provide the phone service as well as the email service we provide. I suspect they think we’ll slack off and not work our guts out like we normally do.

Because they can’t quite get the incoming calls to divert out to mobiles they aren’t keen. All they need to do is place an automated message asking people to email their enquires in instead. Without being outing our product is really not something that will help keep the country running during these very difficult times but we are still very busy. It just all feels so bloody pointless, they are worried about losing a bit of business and are happy to keep just our team in work like sitting ducks whilst everyone else feels secure WFH.

Boss today said he doesn't expect as much work to be done and is fine with it.
I work for the county council.

DP’s boss asked him today if he though she should allocate him more work whilst WFH, as surely he will be more productive as he will have less distractions. Despite having to look after a 2 year old.

Work have been very good so far and we're trying to work out what the routine will be. DS has ASD and is really struggling, so they know there's no way I'll be able to carry on as normal. They've said to just try different patterns until I find what works for me and they'll go along with it. I'm just hoping they can stick by that if I can't manage all the hours I usually do.

Oh, and they're also expecting this to last a minimum of 4 months so we're planning for the long haul.

I’m starting WFH tomorrow. There are people in my company who are single mums of three, have disabled family members etc. We’ve been told 9:30-6 every single day, no excuses. Can’t wait to see how that will pan out...

I will do as much as I can when I can and at various points throughout the day, I just can't be glued to my laptop 9 - 5.

Employers need to be realistic that with schools closing and in all likelihood nurseries too, that parents are having to juggle with children who are out of a set routine, shortages of basic food items and getting their jobs done.

I am realistic in terms of knowing that I may not be as productive as normal for a short time, but eventually I'll be back on track - we tell our children to do their best, we can only do the same.

DH and I are still teachers so waiting for details of what's happening.

If I'm WFH, I'm sure I can set and mark work with DC here (I often do work from home in the evenings anyway) but I'm not sure how any live teaching with a 2 year old around would go!

Mine and DH’s work are fine with it thankfully. I’m part-time anyway and we’re just trying to get through it as best we can.