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Work

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Work & childcare

30 replies

ElevenTwelve13 · 06/09/2024 11:05

Recently my manager has started asking me about my childcare arrangements. I've been in the job for nearly 5 years and this is the first time this has come up. I've never taken the mickey and always work my hours. Theres never been a time when I've been called upon and unavailable due to childcare. I've made early and late starts on time and before colleagues without school aged kids so its not like theres a history there. My works unaffected which my manager has reiterated. My OH is not willing to pay for any childcare and has told me he finds it too stressful trying to get done on time to pick up every day. Am so exhausted from trying to do it all and the anxiety of the situation that I fall asleep as soon as kids in bed which doesn't help with OH. I feel I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Work not happy with me or OH. Anyone else had a smiliar experience? Any advice? TIA

OP posts:
Howdyboob · 06/09/2024 13:35

Yeah, no u to our can't be having the children at home with you with no other childcare in place during your work hours.

Most work places are pretty firm on this.

If they were 13/14 ish I don't think it'd be an issue, but not with primary children.

Overthebow · 06/09/2024 13:36

ElevenTwelve13 · 06/09/2024 13:17

So their not young (8+) and are in school during the day. The reason I was given when work first mentioned this was I might get called out for work in the future. Don't get my OH wrong, he does do his share. I think it's just a different experience for men. I asked him how many times his boss asked about childcare. Unsurprisingly this wasn't question he'd been asked by his work.

Have work said they are not happy with your current arrangements? Ultimately they have the final say, if you’re not allowed to work from home whilst looking after your children then you can’t do it. You need to find childcare for them. Ultimately they could request you work from the office full time instead of wfh, and/or put you on a performance management plan.

Choochoo21 · 06/09/2024 13:39

The reason I was given when work first mentioned this was I might get called out for work in the future.

Is this part of your contract?

If not, then just say no (even childless people wouldn’t be happy with this) or get OH to look after the kids?

SheilaFentiman · 06/09/2024 13:50

It may be that your OH hasn’t been asked cos he is male, or it may be that he’s chatted with colleagues and said “ yeah, my partner covers them after school” and hence the question is answered!

NerrSnerr · 06/09/2024 13:59

Are you doing drop offs and pick ups when you're supposed to be working? Are you doing after school childcare when you're supposed to be working?

I assume you're WFH? Does your other half work from home and does he do half the care and drop offs?

Sounds like you need childcare and you shouldn't need his permission to sort this

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