Kids at Work

[meh_too]

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?

[meh_too]

thinking about it this story has holes in it

don't you get PAID materinty leave now?

she has used it all - and she is in debt up to her eyeballs. Hence her inability to pay for childcare.

Mr G  I wish it wasn't true  😞

[meh_too]

Just complain loudly and tell her exactly what you think of it, tell her you don't like the idea of it so keep her kid away from you.  You said they hate you there anyway so might as well give them a good reason to. 

she is such a vindictive cow, she will make my life hell

I heard today I have friends in high places who think suitable childcare should be arranged (as I do).   I think perhaps I will let them do the talking  ]:)

And she does not breastfeed - she told me her breasts are not there for feeding babies.  I told her I had news  for her!  :^O 

[amalan11]

Im perhaps being a cow here but if anyone left a dirty nappy in the office bin where I work id call the health dept and complain.

Im wondering if it will all last more than a few days till it all gos pear shaped and child care has to be arranged

[*mrgrizz*]

sorry i thought it was for a year

is only 18 weeks

[i-need-a-martini]

she is such a vindictive cow, she will make my life hell

Why do I have a feeling that this is not about a baby coming to work...? Clearly there are other issues here and OP is grasping a bit me thinks. ?:|

[i-need-a-martini]

We had the 3 month in today. 

She spent some waking time in a sling in mums lap, sleeping time in a pram, and some time on the floor gurgling.

Baby squawked a few times, cried a few times. But mum kept it all under control. The only reason I noticed was because I was thinking of this thread.

I have no idea how/when baby got changed as mum did it at her desk. Not sure where the nappies went. Baby got walked at lunchtime 

By the way, baby is being breastfed. 😉

[toon_town_nutter]

Crying baby would do my head in, I'd be off on stress leave.

[i-need-a-martini]

Crying baby would do my head in, I'd be off on stress leave.

What does my head in is the constant phone ringing, the CD player going, the chatter about boyfriends/what they did last night/the latest movie and the constant beeping of mobile phones as their messages come in.

An occasional cry from a baby is small fry in comparison.

[witches*wol]

I wish you luck with this little stars and I have to say I wouldn't be happy about it either.

Firstly I would get in contact with whoever your Work Health and Safety officer is and ask them what things BY LAW need to be put in place for this baby to be safely cared for at work.  If something happens to either the baby or another employee because of the baby (say they trip over it or something) your employer could be in for a whole world of hurt with the WH&S people not to mention legally.

If you don't have a WH&S officer I'd be phoning worksafe myself and getting some info for the boss cause I am 99% certain you can't legally just have a kid lying on a mat on the floor in a workplace anymore.  Will the mother of this baby be ok with it if her baby gets some nasty flu or whooping cough or whatever from one of the staff since bubs wont be fully immunised?

Next thing, obviously you can't work making phone calls if you have a screaming baby in the back ground so you might want to go and speak to the boss and just ask him "What do you want me to do about my work if this baby is unsettled/crying etc?  You know I wont be able to make phones calls with a baby crying and sound professional so do I just sit and read a book until the baby settles or can I come and work in your office?"

See what ideas he can come up with!

[nevynreally]

Usually phones ringing constantly is part of office work. A crying baby isn't.