Sticky Work Situation

[jrmasm]

Nope.

Wow. Can you explain your reasoning because I'm really scratching my head over this one.

 

[MareQ]

If a child is too sick to be at school or daycare, then the child should be at home, not at a workplace possibly spreading a virus to your co-workers.

If you choose to have kids, then they need to take priority over work.

That's for a parent to decide - we don't inspect their children or require them to bring us a Doctor's note saying they are not contagious just like we don;t ask them to bring in a Doctor's not saying THEY are not contagious when THEY come in not feeling too well...

We have a very liberal sick/vacation/personal time policy so if the parents need a day off to care for a child they get it without hassles. Whenever possible we will allow working from homes if requested on a limited basis - if they however choose to bring their child in - we're fine with that too. Most parents would stay home if their child was ill or contagious - our employees are no different - however if they choose to bring them in - we trust them...

No complaints in 35 years of business...

 

[n2dzny]

To me the "boss" is getting paid for their additional duties in such a role, does not mean they should be able to write their own rules.

things to consider
-does this organization have a policy for/against having children @ work? If so, follow the policy. period.
-is this THE boss? or does this boss answer to someone higher? If so, I would take it to the higher boss in order to remove bias
-if the boss creates the rule based on this situation, it needs to be well thought out and followed.

 

[va32h]

-does this organization have a policy for/against having children @ work? If so, follow the policy. period.

No. There is no policy. Already answered twice in this thread, but that's okay.


-is this THE boss? or does this boss answer to someone higher? If so, I would take it to the higher boss in order to remove bias

The person I answer to is the owner of the company. He works in an entirely different city. Although any of my employees could contact him, he discourages it. He prefers not to be bothered by what he considers "tattle-taling".

-if the boss creates the rule based on this situation, it needs to be well thought out and followed.

I suppose that is what this thread is helping me to work out.

 

[LuvOrlando]

The trouble is you can't say "Kids allowed" and then just excluse this woman's kid. Since he is Special Needs you are just asking for trouble.

You also can't say "No kids allowed" because you do bring your own in & other employees shouldn't suffer because this woman doesn't get that a place of employment is no place to air ones troubles.

I think it would be a good idea to make the rule, "No children allowed" with the understanding that exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

 

[Chicago526]

OP, what does your boss think? I know you said he doesn't like to be bothered with "tattleing" and I would also assume "petty stuff" but I think this type of situation rises above that. Maybe he needs to set a policy (like, "children are allowed, but only with advance notice and aproval, and children must be quiet and well behaved"), that way your employees don't think you're just making up rules that give you preferential treatment. If it comes down from on high, that should help settle any resentment.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd send out a new directive stating that "because of recent issues with children accompanying parents tot he workplace, this practice will no longer be allowed".

Then follow it yourself as well.

You're going to get yourself into too much trouble if you start with "Well, your kid can come because he behaves, but your kid can't come because she's noisy" and before you know it, you'll be discriminating against the person with the ADD kid because he has ADD.

It'll be a big huge mess.

 

[missj1975]

Ok I just read all three pages and I can't believe no one has asked yet. To the OP and anyone else who brings their kids to work, what is your occupation that you are allowed to bring your kids to work? I have worked in various companies over 15 years and have never heard of anyone bringing their kids to work. I am just very curious what you ladies do for a living that allows this.

 

[shirleyb]

OP, how about this:
"No kids during the regular work hours"

Then, you could still bring your kids by on weekends, etc, without ruffling any feathers.

I am also the boss, and would never think to bring my kids to work during the regular work week, but my youngest has sometimes come in with me on a Saturday, if I have a few hours worth of work to do.

 

[Cantw8]

I am a boss also and I would never institute a rule that I didn't expect myself to follow, there's no quicker path to a mutiny than to blatantly remind everyone that you are the boss by putting your needs above those of your employees But that's just my opinion

 

[va32h]

OP, how about this:
"No kids during the regular work hours"

Then, you could still bring your kids by on weekends, etc, without ruffling any feathers.

I am also the boss, and would never think to bring my kids to work during the regular work week, but my youngest has sometimes come in with me on a Saturday, if I have a few hours worth of work to do.

After some thought, and bearing in mind all the input from this thread, this is what I have decided to do.

The "official" policy will now be "On days when you are the only person assigned to work, you may bring your child(ren). On sale days, when the full staff and customers are present, children are not permitted."

I would hope that it goes without saying that people who do bring children are expected to keep them from breaking stuff or making a mess, but you know what they say about "when you assume".

To the OP and anyone else who brings their kids to work, what is your occupation that you are allowed to bring your kids to work?

I work for an auction house.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Some of my staff suggested that making a general rule "no children at work" would be the least offensive way to handle it. I guess I'm being stubborn, but I don't see why I should be inconvenienced because someone else's child cannot behave, regardless of the reason they cannot behave.

Your thoughts?

I am not reading any of the responses. As I feel that I am confident in my opinion on this, and do not want to be influenced by all the other comments.

If you actually OWN the place of business, then you own it, and you can do what you wish.

Otherwise, I strongly agree with your staff.

Now, you say that you are the 'boss' in the division. This would mean that you do not 'own' the company.

IMHO, you are out of line to bring your children to work when it is not on your property and not your company. I would imagine that there may be liability issues and some kind of corporate policy.

IMHO, you are out of line to expect to get away with questionable actions that are considered 'not acceptable' for other employees.

IMHO, it is out of line to say that 'bosses can do things that others can't'.

Bosses can earn more money.
Bosses can have more freedom in their 'work duties'.
Bosses can get big bonuses.
Bosses can have perks like designated parking spaces.

These things are usually spelled out in the job description and benefits/compensation package.

But, when it comes to general 'rules', such as whether it is acceptable to bring one's children into the workplace while working... IMHO, bosses should not be granted cart-blanche or amnesty for doing things that might be considered 'not acceptable'.

By the other staff's comments, I imagine that this situation is breeding ill feelings and resentment in the work environment. Is that what you wish to do with the staff?

Bottom line.
If you do not actually OWN the business, then it is not appropriate to bring your children there while you are working.

 

[PaulaSue]

Op, it should be an all or nothing rule. Maybe the other employees are trying to hint that your DC is not wanted at work either.

 

[FSUGrad97]

IMHO, a good manager would follow the same rules that they expect their employees to follow. That way, the employees have buy-in.

By not doing so may lead to the perception that you feel you are above the rules and get you into trouble with your employer. That, and add in any potential HR complaints, and this situation could get a whole lot stickier for you.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

The trouble is you can't say "Kids allowed" and then just excluse this woman's kid. Since he is Special Needs you are just asking for trouble.

You also can't say "No kids allowed" because you do bring your own in & other employees shouldn't suffer because this woman doesn't get that a place of employment is no place to air ones troubles.

I think it would be a good idea to make the rule, "No children allowed" with the understanding that exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

Why do you say the kid is Special Needs? He has ADD. Just because a kid has ADD does not give him a free pass to be a PITA around other people or an excuse to misbehave.

I have one son who has ADHD (along with other neurological problems) and my other kid has ADD. I've never labeled them "Special Needs."

 

[Hannathy]

I would not want to work for you sorry but I hate working for bosses that think they are above or better than everyone else.

I get the feeling your staff doesn't appreciate your children being there or they never would have so readily came up with the no children rule, because aren't they hurting themselves if they ever wanted to bring theirs? They probably feel they pay or make arrangements for theirs why shouldn't you.

IMO you better run your new rule past the owner or someone higher up than you to check for liability and insurance coverage. I'm sure the company lawyer or insurance agent will be just pleased as punch with the first injury or accident to a child that they didn't even know were there! Nice lawsuit brewing. Or what if the next customer doesn't react well to something already paid for that gets broken-and the company isn't covered for it because it wasn't an employee? Oh and when you start picking and choosing which kids can come, especially if he is labeled special needs you open yourself up to discrimination charges- would your boss like that?

 

[daisyduck123]

I'm on your side.

Your kids behave...fine..they get to come to the office.
This kid blew his chance.

I'm a teacher, so to me, this is sort of like school...and this kid just got a permanent suspension - he can't come back!!

 

[KAMLEM]

Why do you say the kid is Special Needs? He has ADD. Just because a kid has ADD does not give him a free pass to be a PITA around other people or an excuse to misbehave."

I was thinking the same thing. I was also wondering why a 13 year old could not stay home. It seems like he didn't really want to be there. I guess that's OT, though.

 

[DisMN]

By not doing so may lead to the perception that you feel you are above the rules.......

I believe that was what the OP was telling us with the repeated "I'm the boss" comments.

In my experience it's not a good thing to hold your "boss" status over your employees heads, making rules for everyone else but yourself.
I can see where it would be real hard later on down the line to motivate people who don't believe you respect them enough to live by the same rules you set for them.

 

[delilah]

If their child is contagious it becomes everyone in the office's business.

OP, if it's after hours I see no issue....

Well, I am one who brings her sick child to school. I am a family physician, and usually, my son doesn't get sick on a day when I am scheduled to be off work. When my son is at work with me, he is less likely to spread illness to staff and patients than the other patients in the waiting room. He sits at my desk area in my office. During the work day, I rarely go into that room, and nobody other than the doctor who has a desk in that office does, either. He also comes with me when there is a two hour delay for weather or a snow day. This is because my patients would probably complain if I were out of the office because my son is sick, or because of the weather. Last week he was on spring break--it was bad enough that I took off for that, and that was planned at the beginning of the school year. Many of the nurses also have kids who spend some time in the office if necessary. We haven't had problems with disruptive children, in general.

The last time he was sick, with the flu, I was scheduled to be on call and the only doctor in the office on two days that week. It would have been total chaos if I had not been there those days. Three of the six doctors were in Florida (we are in Indiana). We have three offices, and the other two doctors were in the other two offices. Now, all health professionals are supposed to be immunized against the flu. So, my staff shouldn't have been able to get it from him. Patients had no direct contact with him, and, each of the days he was sick, there were several patients in my office with the same symptoms and diagnosis. So, how could people have gotten flu from my son and not from little Timmy who was in the waiting room with them?