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| Yes | 33% | 243 votes | Total: 742 votes | |
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Add to FavoritesWith the increasing need for two incomes in the family and a decrease in the ability to find appropriate or sufficient child care programs, I believe that a mother should have the right to bring her child to work with her, as well as be provided with child care on the job site. I know that many will be guffawing this statement, wondering why an employer should be responsible to fund such a thing, but let me support my statement.
I am a mother to four children. They are all under 10 years of age. I have had to make the decision, with my husband's support, to stay home with our children, raising them in a loving and nurturing environment. We have only recently been forced to look into my going back out into the workforce. Now, I'm faced with a dilemma.
I don't trust the public school system to educate my children. I don't agree with their teaching agendas, and there are things that I would rather not have my children exposed to. On the other hand, I can't afford to send them all to private schools, as there is no "help" or "assistance" in tuition to these establishments. Thirdly, when one takes the time to count the cost, I can't exactly afford childcare for four children for an 8 hour day, either. By the time I pay for either daycare or private school, I have approximately $50 left of my paycheck, IF I'm working for a decent salary. What's the use of working? Yet, our family needs the extra income.
Why don't you start your own business, you may ask. Why don't you work from home, you may ask. That is great if one has a spirit of entrepreneurship. But what about those moms out there who don't have that spirit in them? Now, I plead their case. It would be fairly simple for an employer to set up a child care situation at their offices. Put a playground outside. Set up two or three employees who are dedicated to children and trained in daycare. Think about the jobs that alone could create. If your company can't afford it, have the moms donate a percentage of their income each week or month that could help with the funding of their daycare provision. I'm not talking charge them fully for daycare, as again, this doesn't afford them the opportunity to bring home any income at the end of the week. I'm saying let them co-fund with the place of employment.
The benefit to the employer for providing in-office daycare is a huge one. They get a mom who is obviously concerned about the well-being of her family. That is a sign of true dedication. They get a mom who wants to come to work. They, in turn, get an employee who they can count on being at the office. They get an employee who has confidence in her income. As a result, they get someone who will work hard while at the office. She will earn that check 100-fold. She has no feelings of hopelessness, because she knows she isn't spending her entire week working to pay for childcare or education alone. Daycare is provided for, so mom isn't wondering what to do when her sitter cancels last minute, because someone else got sick or she has an appointment she can't miss. She can still get dressed and go to the office that day, because her generous employer cares about her family and her ideals, and she has daycare provided for in the office.
As a mother who is pursuing a place in the job force, I can tell you now that I have my concerns. It is very important to me that my family be considered a first priority in my life. That's how it should be, and employers really need to understand that. I cannot afford to put my job ahead of my children. By allowing me to bring my children into my work place at an affordable price, I have the confidence that I need in knowing that they are taken care of, and that I can be called upon to assist with them as needed. I can go home with a paycheck that will help cover the costs of running my household, and I can breathe easy and do my job. I am a mommy who loves to work but refuses to sacrifice my childrens' need for my love and nurturing throughout their day for the 9-5 daily job. Having an employer who allows me to bring my children to work affords me the opportunity to be mommy and career woman at the same time.
By allowing your employee to bring the children to the office, you give moms a sense of confidence in her abilities to succeed. She knows that she will go home with a paycheck. She knows that her children are within an arm's reach and well taken care of. She knows that she is free to do her job and to do it well. Her concerns have been taken care of, and the employer gets the full benefit of a dedicated and faithful employee.
Learn more about this author, Alycia Morales.
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No
As a general rule; no, parents should not bring their children to work. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule and there are exceptions to this rule also; but, those exceptions are very few.
I was a working mother and I know how expensive daycare is and the scheduling nightmares it can cause. Believe me, I do understand and I do sympathize. But, the workplace is not the place to bring small children. Older children who are well-behaved may come to some workplaces for an hour or two after school; but even that should only be done occasionally.
Bringin g your child to work is bad for both the company you work for and your child's well-being. I will list some of the reasons why it is a very bad idea.
1) Safety - this is the biggest reason. It is not safe to have small children in many workplaces. No child-proofing has been done in the average workplace - there are open electrical sockets, sharp corners, cleaning products, file drawers that can pinch, etc. Do you honestly believe it is safe to take a child into even an office workplace safely? How about a construction site, a warehouse, a medical office or hospital, a laboratory, a restaurant kitchen, a taxi cab, etc.? These are not safe places for children and if you are working you cannot keep an eye on them all the time. You also cannot impose on coworkers and expect them to watch your child for you; they have their own jobs that need to be done.
Children in the workplace also create additional safety hazards. Toys end up in places they should not be and people trip and/or fall over them. Children make loud unexpected noises that can distract workers from their job and cause the worker to make mistakes that can cause serious injuries.
The workplace is not a safe place when children are there.
2) Appearances - having children in the workplace does not project a professional image unless you are running a daycare facility or a school. You may not care about that fact; but, customers do care about dealing with companies that are professional and many of them will take their business elsewhere.
3) Productivity - when children are in the workplace, productivity drops. The parent is not concentrating on their duties if they have to keep an eye on their child to make sure the child is not misbehaving and is safe. Children cause distractions to other workers even when they are behaving themselves. When the child is cranky and/or throwing a tantrum, all work stops.
4) Child's Development - children need to be around other children their own age and have age appropriate activities. Little children need room to be active and run around making noise. They need games and activities that will teach them and provide exercise. They will not get this in a working environment without causing problems or getting injured.
I know how hard it can be to trust someone else with your child's well-being while you work. If it is possible, having a family member or neighbor care for your small child is a good option. You already know them and they know you and your child. They are more likely to be flexible when your work schedule needs that flexibility.
But, even day care centers and preschools can be good options for childcare and your child will be with other children their own age and learning valuable social skills; as well as, the basics they will need when they are old enough to start school. Once they are in school, there are many excellent after school programs that will keep them safe until you are able to pick them up after work.
Learn more about this author, Ginger Kazay.
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