Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

WFH and childcare

119 replies

MoominGang · 01/02/2024 20:29

We had a new employee joining the team recently in a role that’s fully WFH. It’s now became apparent that childcare is an issue and the plan has always been to work with a small child around. I’m the manager in this scenario and completely exhausted with people who think this is appropriate and fair for both child and employer. It’s not the first case like this either. We’re not allowed to ask about personal situation and childcare situation at interview stage but I feel this needs to change.
Only here to vent…

OP posts:
Dogsandbabies · 01/02/2024 20:32

I hear you. It is completely unacceptable. We have it very clearly laid out in contracts. And we ask HR to point it out to everyone joining so we can make absolutely sure they are aware.

Shinyandnew1 · 01/02/2024 20:34

It might be the case that you can’t ask about a family situation at interview, but surely before the job is offered/contract is signed, you should be making it clear that wfh whilst having young children to simultaneously care for is unacceptable and will result in termination of the contract?

Original poster
MoominGang · 01/02/2024 20:38

I’m absolutely outraged by the fact that some people think this is acceptable.
It’s part of company policy but not contracts I believe. Not everyone admits to having caring responsibilities unfortunately, whether it’s at interview stage or later.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 01/02/2024 20:43

Are they on probation? I wouldn't be passing them without reliable childcare in place

AuntieJoyce · 01/02/2024 20:46

What are you planning to do about it OP? I have a relative who has just gone back to work and she is very open with family that that this is what she will be doing on the days she WFH at least some of the day. I think some people genuinely don’t realise or think a few hours here and there is okay

Sunglassesweather · 01/02/2024 20:47

Surely it'll massively impact her performance sooner rather than later, then you'll have cause for a disciplinary/performance management? How is she attending meetings etc with a young child around? Whenever my toddler is ill and off nursery, the most I can manage is checking a few emails over nap time.

katmarie · 01/02/2024 20:47

It's not in our contracts either but is in company wfh policy, and so not adhering to that can be managed as a disciplinary issue. I wfh full time, and most of my colleagues do too. My kids are in childcare/school and tbh I wouldn't be able to do my job properly if they weren't.

Starlightstarbright3 · 01/02/2024 20:56

I think lockdown brought this thought about.

Does she need to attend meetings . How is the role going presumably not well - the other thing lockdown taught us is it impossible to do both either well when trying to do them together .

Original poster
MoominGang · 01/02/2024 20:59

The job is busy and I think that the realisation that it’s impossible to combine both will come soon enough.
Still in probation but we’ve also given deadline for sorting childcare. If this continues, I feel the only way forward is to ask for a copy of nursery contracts.
I have children too and understand the need of emergency time off to cover illness or similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
MoominGang · 01/02/2024 21:00

She is doing well and enjoys the role I think but baby has been spotted at the meetings.

OP posts:
Robott · 01/02/2024 21:00

Not unreasonable at all. It’s not fair on the employer, colleagues, and the child themselves.
You don’t have to ask specifically about peoples arrangements for childcare, but surely you could state ( as part of the conditions of the job role) that it would not be acceptable to be caring for a child during working hours and put it in the terms and conditions.

Hmmmmaybe · 01/02/2024 21:04

Is she fulfilling her obligations?

I mean - I think in the majority of jobs you couldn’t do it - but in some you could.

i could in mine no worries - would mean I was working at random times including evening but I could do it. I also have about one meeting a week.

MuggleMe · 01/02/2024 21:12

If it's not in a contract it sounds like you'll need to keep an eye out for where she's not meeting expectations. Dropping out of meetings to settle the baby, not meeting deadlines, errors etc. It might be that she's doing extra in evenings to keep up and make allowance for time lost.

Motheranddaughter · 01/02/2024 21:16

That’s a nightmare
WFH while looking after DC is not fair on your employers / colleagues or the DC

coxesorangepippin · 01/02/2024 21:18

Baby was spotted at the meetings?!

AgnesNaismith · 01/02/2024 21:19

Ha! I have a colleague who, since she began, brings her baby to teams meetings online. Her line manager doesn’t seem to give a shit and just seems to like promoting her.

Figgygal · 01/02/2024 21:24

This phenomenon pisses me right off
How can anyone think that both can be done at the same time
Its unprofessional unfair to the employer who is paying for their time and most importantly unfair to their child
Our policy now been made much clearer that wfh is not a substitute for childcare

NerrSnerr · 01/02/2024 21:35

This is happening more and more. Almost always women too. So many people at my workplace take the piss nowadays and it's very frustrating.

NerrSnerr · 01/02/2024 21:37

.... but I wouldn't be surprised if you get some people come on the thread saying they work full time and look after their 2 year old and their performance is not affected.

Heatherbell1978 · 01/02/2024 21:37

Totally unacceptable. I have a friend who does this regularly with 3 kids, youngest 2, and I can't believe for a second she actually does her job. DS walks home now aged 9 so is around in my last 2 hrs of work but not really an issue at his age. I wouldn't have dared try it any younger. Lockdown was a nightmare!!

aliatalia2 · 01/02/2024 21:40

We aren't allowed to work and take care of children. We are expected to put our kids in childcare and we free hours from the government too

Original poster
MoominGang · 01/02/2024 21:41

We were very much office only pre covid with absolutely no flexibility. I don’t want those times to return but we’ll be heading this way soon enough if people keep taking the piss.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 01/02/2024 21:42

I think lockdown brought this thought about

No shit Sherlock 😂

EarringsandLipstick · 01/02/2024 21:44

MoominGang · 01/02/2024 21:41

We were very much office only pre covid with absolutely no flexibility. I don’t want those times to return but we’ll be heading this way soon enough if people keep taking the piss.

In this case not really. You are aware she is looking after a DC, and have seen the baby at meetings.

Just bring it up & remind her of your company policy (which I assume you have?). The End.

If she continues, you can end her employment.

NCfor24 · 01/02/2024 21:51

My contract definitely states that wfh is not a substitute for arranging childcare. I wfh and my kids are in breakfast club and afterschool club apart from Friday when I collect them and log back in afterwards or use flexitime to finish early.
I couldn't do my job with school runs or even just their presence as they just ask for attention and food constantly - despite being old enough to manage for a couple hours alone, they still come to me.for everything!