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?

[azureline**]

I took my 9 month old grandaughter to work for a week...... our own business and had a suitable room for it equipped with playpen, change table etc..... but it was difficult when I was there alone.

[i-need-a-martini]

What I asked is what would you/they do with a baby who is past laying sedately on a playmat and starts to roll across the floor?

Well we will soon find out - the baby is 3 months old now.

We will adjust. Or should I say, mum will adjust. 🙂

Honestly, this is a non issue if everyone looked at it with an open mind.

[patchoo78]

Will the mother be allowed to breastfeed at work?

:^O

[cherry*135]

can of worms patchoo.:^O

It isn't an issue to me, but it is to little*stars and I wouldn't want to ben working with a 3mth old baby in my office. Depends what type of work you do also. I couldn't concentrate on bookkeeping while working in a child/animal zone.

[shhh_its_me]

call worksafe

Pfft!

[kayza40]

This is a funny thread.

[cherry*135]

Babies deserve better than a space on an office floor.

[*mrgrizz*]

Pfft!

ok try docs then

[patchoo78]

To be honest, I wouldn't like it much either, aside from the fact that I hate kids, I don't have a very long attention span and I get distracted really easily so I couldn't work with a screaming baby right next to me.. 

If the baby is lying on the floor on a playmat, what happens when someone (who has forgotten that there is a baby at work) walks into the office and accidentally steps on or trips over the baby? 

I am all for equal rights, but what about the rights of little*stars who has to share an office with the lady?

[aspie*mum]

In short, it's the managers decision.  Nothing you can do about it.  Complain to the manager and put everything in writing  IF the baby stops you doing your work or impacts on it.

I have a family friendly workplace and on occasion my daughter has come to work with me (not that young but she could have in theory).  It's not ideal and I wouldn't want to do it everyday. 

BUT as a 3 month old, babies don't do much other than eat and sleep, so I can't see it being much of an issue.  I'm sure if it's too hard the mum will either quit or put the child into care.

But it's your manager's issue.  Don't let it be yours.  Complain if need be but don't complain just to make a point that you don't want a baby there.