topic Re: Kids at Work in Community Spirit

Kids at Work

meh_too — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:26:13 GMT

We have a lady returning to work from maternity leave shortly. She will be bringing her infant to work when she returns, because she thinks the baby is too young to go to a childminder - the baby is 3 months old.

I had no family support when my kids were little and I had to pay (alot) in order for me to work, and I suspect thats what is really going on here - she does not want to pay.

I share an office with this woman and I am very upset about it. I have no wish to become this child's babysitter.

What do you think about this situation?

Re: Kids at Work

i-need-a-martini — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:33:53 GMT

What makes you think you will be a babysitter? Don't offer and it won't happen.

Anyway, I think it's great. Once everyone settles down and stops cooing over having a baby in the office, then the office will settle into a routine that accommodates a baby.

We have a small office of 10 people and babies, children and dogs are standard for us.There is a general understanding that if babies/children/animals get too noisy or unruly then they get taken out or back home. And mum (and in one case dad) has 100% responsibility for baby/child/dog. Unless they are on the phone or with clients in which case we all step in and help.

It's fabulous that your employer is happy to do it and I think it is the way of the future.

Re: Kids at Work

i-need-a-martini — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:35:08 GMT

On saying that sometimes its a pain in the behind (dog hairs all over my clothes, kiddy chatter etc) but overall it makes for one extremely happy workplace.

Re: Kids at Work

azureline** — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:38:29 GMT

I can see 2 things here... it may inconvenience you a little bit but just don't be a babysitter... look, smile, don't touch.

The other thing is... you didn't get it... why should she?

I think it is a good thing that things have changed. 🙂

Re: Kids at Work

meh_too — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:40:57 GMT

Thanks for your reply Martini - the problem for me is that there will be no rules. And there is no facilities at all for feeding/changing a nappy, or anything else associated with babies. She did bring the child in a month ago, changed her nappy on the desk and then just dropped the dirty one in the wasterpaper bin - where it stayed for 3 days. X-(

And I have no intention of giving the child any attention at all - IMO it should not be there.

Re: Kids at Work

meh_too — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:42:46 GMT

I can see 2 things here... it may inconvenience you a little bit but just don't be a babysitter... look, smile, don't touch.

The other thing is... you didn't get it... why should she?

I think it is a good thing that things have changed. 🙂

I dont understand this bit ??

Re: Kids at Work

cherry*135 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:46:45 GMT

I think it is not on (don't stone me). If a employee with a baby/child works in a business/company that has a creche/daycare centre for employees on site, then that would be a good thing - mother could put her baby in there and visit it in her breaks/when it needed feeding (if b/f).

Will the Mum be working full-time?

I wouldn't like to work with a 3mth old baby in the same room. Iwouldn't like to take a baby to work with me, wouldn't be able to give either the baby or work my full attention.

I am assuming your employer has given permission for the mother to bring her baby into the office? How long is she able to bring the baby into work for?

Babies of around 4mths can start rolling around the floor etc.. how are they supposed to do that in an office... maybe a playpen? but thats not much life for a baby/infant..

Re: Kids at Work

love*today — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:48:03 GMT

She is being a smart as, basically calling you out for being jealous

Re: Kids at Work

meh_too — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:49:41 GMT

She is being a smart as, basically calling you out for being jealous

:^O Jealous of what?

Re: Kids at Work

love*today — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:49:42 GMT

And I agree with the op in that its not going to work.

youll need to tell her not to stink ur work space up for one!!

selfish IMO, shed be smelling that too ughhh

Re: Kids at Work

cherry*135 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:49:47 GMT

Why are there creches/day care centres - to put your baby/child in while you are doing paid work, that is if you don't have anyone else ( close relative etc) to look after her/him while you undertake paid work.

Re: Kids at Work

love*today — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:50:41 GMT

That u didnt have that option!

was easy to read between the lines lol...maybe the poster will Owen her words and tell u herself lol

Re: Kids at Work

azureline** — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:51:06 GMT

I dont understand this bit ??

You had to get child care, she doesn't and you resent it?

The nappy thing, that is disgusting. Unless her baby sleeps for 4 hrs at a time, how will she manage to work? I have had time to think about it and I think... she should have someone take care of baby at home and bring in for feeds, given there are no facilities.

Re: Kids at Work

i-need-a-martini — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:51:32 GMT

IMO it should not be there.

I think you should keep and open mind. 🙂

Can you talk to the owner (I assume this is a small business?) and ask for some rules to be developed for new mum?

Re: Kids at Work

cherry*135 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:52:16 GMT

I read it as - OP you didn't have the offer/chance of taking your babies to work when they were new borns (if you had wanted to) so you don't like this mother having the chance to do so?

Re: Kids at Work

azureline** — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:52:30 GMT

LT... no need to read between the lines.... quite clear what I meant.

Re: Kids at Work

azureline** — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:53:18 GMT

I read it as - OP you didn't have the offer/chance of taking your babies to work when they were new borns (if you had wanted to) so you don't like this mother having the chance to do so?

yes, thank you.

Re: Kids at Work

meh_too — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:54:42 GMT

I think it is not on (don't stone me). If a employee with a baby/child works in a business/company that has a creche/daycare centre for employees on site, then that would be a good thing - mother could put her baby in there and visit it in her breaks/when it needed feeding (if b/f).

Will the Mum be working full-time?

I wouldn't like to work with a 3mth old baby in the same room. Iwouldn't like to take a baby to work with me, wouldn't be able to give either the baby or work my full attention.

I am assuming your employer has given permission for the mother to bring her baby into the office? How long is she able to bring the baby into work for?

Babies of around 4mths can start rolling around the floor etc.. how are they supposed to do that in an office... maybe a playpen? but thats not much life for a baby/infant..

Working 3 days a week, and she has the permission of the boss, who is too weak to say no.

I am on the phone to people all day long, chasing overdue accounts. Its not to best of jobs, however you do have to be on the ball and speak with authority, I am not looking forward to having a baby crying the the background while I am trying to do my job.

Re: Kids at Work

shhh_its_me — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:54:55 GMT

What kind of work is done in the office? Is there phone calls with clients? Do clients attend the premises? Where will the baby kept?

I don't agree with kids in the workplace most if the time, but your op does sound narky... I had to suffer so everyone else should too.

Re: Kids at Work

cherry*135 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:55:08 GMT

martini - what would you do with a 4mth old that wanted to roll around the floor in an office, with another staff members desk in there (ie: not much space, can't exactly set up a playroom in your office unless you are a CEO!).