Forums
Children in the Workplace Policies?
General Forum
Children in the Workplace Policies?
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
I'm an HR Consultant and I have a client who is considering implementing a Children in the workplace policy.
I'd like to hear a little bit about how other companies are addressing this issue...and
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53Discussion:DiscussionId35520
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Children in the Workplace Policies?
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 2/9/2009 6:53 AM EST
|
Posts: 12
First: 4/15/2002 Last: 2/10/2009 |
I'm an HR Consultant and I have a client who is considering implementing a Children in the workplace policy.
I'd like to hear a little bit about how other companies are addressing this issue...and if they've had any negative fall out from implementing a policy. Any "food for thought" would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 2/10/2009 5:42 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 1783
First: 11/11/2003 Last: 5/13/2010 |
We don't have a policy.
If an employee asks to bring his/her children, the manager says no. If an employee just shows up with children, the manager sends his/her home. Having a no-children-at-work policy is as essential as having a don't-pee-in-the-wastebasket policy. |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 2/10/2009 9:38 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 12
First: 4/15/2002 Last: 2/10/2009 |
Thanks, Cynbrandt. Has your zero-tolerance policy had any adverse impact on absenteeism? Meaning...do find that you have more call-outs from working parents due to child care issues? Also, do you offer any resources for working parents...such as an EAP or daycare assistance? |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 2/10/2009 10:32 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 1783
First: 11/11/2003 Last: 5/13/2010 |
Yes, we have an EAP and also a referral service for child care.
I do not believe allowing people to bring children to work is an effective way to address absenteeism. Anyone who thinks it IS has never been a parent. Children young enough to need supervision are not capable of sitting quietly and amusing themselves for an entire workday. They thus are a distraction not only for the parent, but also for the parent's colleagues, enough so that the parent may as well stay home after all. |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 2/12/2009 7:11 AM EST
|
|
Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
I agree with the others and would never have thought of bringing a child to work when I was with a major HR consulting firm.
However, I now work for a very family friendly employer. There are a few of us who bring a child every once in a while for a few hours or even a few minutes. Not a sick child though. This allows us to pick up work we could do at home. Or make a specific meeting. As of now, no one has abused the current policy. Nor do we have children who are badly behaved. If they did, we would address it. Does it distract others? For a few minutes to say "hi" maybe....but it also seems to bring a break in the stress that is often needed. So I wouldn't totally dismiss it out of hand but would look at the corporate/cultural environment of your client. |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 5/1/2009 12:58 PM EDT
|
|
Posts: 3
First: 5/1/2009 Last: 5/1/2009 |
We are a secure facility, so no one is permitted to come in and out without security clearance, meaning children cannot come into the facility.
Do most employers have a "child-free" policy, even when you're not secure? http://www.opendoorhr.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
Children in the Workplace Policies?
posted at 5/2/2009 6:39 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 464
First: 6/30/2004 Last: 11/22/2010 |
Our approach is more like RRuperts.
We do not officially allow it too happen, but if an employee makes a request for a temporary limited time accomodation, it is usually granted. One employee has recently just been having her kids dropped off at work toward the end of the work day. They are supposed to sit quietly in the lobby and do their homework. While they are well behaved, this near every day happening is not the intent of the policy. I get the day care issues and the expense, etc, but this is over the top for our agency. The job in question has an 8-5 work day requirement that can't be moved. The employee has been given a choice to discontinue this practice or to find a job that fits her schedule better. |
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Children in the Workplace Policies?
