Sticky Work Situation

[lillygator]

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?

well come on, a doctor's office is a completely different "germ" environment!!

I work for a hospital - but we are off the main campus and we have a Kids Under the Weather program.

 

[disneygirl725]

I'm not a manager and I do not have kids. I have a WEAK boss. Complete pushover. My one coworker is a single mom who has a child who is highly functioning autistic.

He ALWAYS gives her special privilages. Half the reason she got the job is because he felt sorry for her. One day he was telecommuting and so was she b/c her daughter was sick. Well, I guess she was having computer problems, so she dragged her sick daughter to the office!!!! She coughed so hard she almost threw up in her cube!!

The whole team was so mad, but the boss never knew. A few months later she brought her in b/c school was cancelled. Well someone complained to a higher up and she was told she can't do it anymore.

From an employee perspective, just make sure the rules are the same is across the board for all employees, including yourself.

 

[horseshowmom]

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".

You have to do what you think is best, but I don't think you're helping your situation with this decision.

While you hope that people would keep their children from breaking things or making a mess, you know from experience that at least one employee hasn't/won't do that. Basically, the only improvement with your new policy is that the child won't be there when other workers are there, so he won't be annoying them.

 

[manning]

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.

Bingo you hit it on the head.

If I was the owner or officer of the company and one child got injured after the law suit is settled the person(s) who allowed it to happen would be out the door pronto.

If your employees are feeling resentment what do you think would happen if one of them decides to go over the head of YOUR boss?