Parents, why bring your baby, small child into work?

[MorrisM]

I'm a loan officer at a large banking institution where there is already a part-time child care center on site. Lately there seems to be a trend for employees, friends and family of employees, and even some clients who are new mothers to bring their babies, toddlers, or small children to the office.

The kids usually stay for a short amount of time, but they create a disturbance because they get restless. They cry, whine, and even scream out loud. This is very disturbing to us who are trying to concentrate on our jobs, and especially when we are meeting with clients.

I brought this issue up to my supervisor, only to receive a reply that guests, including children are allowed inside the office as long as it doesn't become exceedingly long. My supervisor has a young son, by the way who has shown up in the office on occasion.

It looks like nothing is going to be done about this situation, unless I confront H.R. or the site manager, which I want to avoid if possible.

The odd thing is pets, cellphones, and electronic gadgets are not allowed in the office because of the noise disturbance they create, and that's perfectly fine. I think that policy should also include not allowing children.

So I have to ask the rest of the parents with small children, why would you want to bring your child into the office and create a disturbance for everyone else? Do you not realize that your crying, screaming "bundle of joy" is not so joyful for many others?

An office is a work environment for adults, it's not a playground for kids.

[Dadu2004]

Quite honestly, I think you're being a prude. Most people like to have a bit of fun at work and sometimes like to show their kids off. Our employees here will sometimes bring their kids to work and I recently brought my 5 year old daughter to work. Everyone loved her and we enjoy having the kids around. It breaks up the monotony of the day. You need to relax brother and enjoy having the duldrums of the work day broken up with a bit of excitement.

[TabascoNatalie]

I sometimes bring my kids to work. For example, if I know that I'll only be staying in office for the day or it isn't a full long day. Nobody yet complained.
My parents used to take me to their work pretty often. I really preferred that to daycare

[IADad]

I think the supervisor's point is that there are plenty of disturbances and it's better to accomodate them within reason than to ban everything.

If there is a client in the office who talks to loud are you complaining to your supervisor about that disturbance?

What abotu 2 guys re-living last night's basketball game?

Workplaces can either be harsh sterile environments or resonably flexible places. If a particular non work activity becomes a disturbance, then people need to be reminded about professionalism and courtesy to their co-workers. I think it's professionaism that's the issue, not just "kids."

[Jeremy+3]

People shouldn't take their children to work unless it is bring your son/daughter to work day, you don't get paid to fool around and off load your work onto others, so don't disrespect your employer. If one of our staff try to bring their kids to work, they know where they can stuff their job.

[MorrisM]

Originally Posted by Dadu2004

Quite honestly, I think you're being a prude. Most people like to have a bit of fun at work and sometimes like to show their kids off. Our employees here will sometimes bring their kids to work and I recently brought my 5 year old daughter to work. Everyone loved her and we enjoy having the kids around. It breaks up the monotony of the day. You need to relax brother and enjoy having the duldrums of the work day broken up with a bit of excitement.

First of all I don't appreciate being called a prude.

I raised a son many years ago and never once brought him to work when he was younger. Even when my wife was in the hospital and unable to care for him, he was either in school or stayed with relatives. I guess people just had better values and set their priorities straight back then.

You may be proud to show off your child but you should be considerate of others - especially in a work environment. You are under the impression that everyone loved her, but how do you know there weren't some people annoyed by your actions and just didn't say anything? In today's politically-correct work environment many people are afraid to voice their opinions for fear of someone else taking offense.

We all know from experience that young children tend to become restless and impatient, and that's when they wander around, cry, and make noise. That's not appropriate for a work environment. It is disturbing to others, and really no different on the annoyance level than someone's cellphone constantly ringing. The last thing some of us want to hear is someone else's wailing infant in the middle of an already stressful day.

My company and many others have on-site child care, many provisions have been made over the past few years to accommodate people with small children, so there is no reason to bring the kids into the office.

[MorrisM]

Originally Posted by TabascoNatalie

I sometimes bring my kids to work. For example, if I know that I'll only be staying in office for the day or it isn't a full long day. Nobody yet complained.
My parents used to take me to their work pretty often. I really preferred that to daycare

You say nobody complained but how do you know they may not have been bothered by your action?

Gosh, if people think that bringing in their kids is perfectly fine then why stop there? Why not take their pets in too? Sure, why not - bring in your barking, shedding dog or your cat's stinky litter box too while we're at it.

[Dadu2004]

Ironically we had a bring your pet to work day...it was quite fun!

[MorrisM]

Originally Posted by Jeremy+3

People shouldn't take their children to work unless it is bring your son/daughter to work day, you don't get paid to fool around and off load your work onto others, so don't disrespect your employer. If one of our staff try to bring their kids to work, they know where they can stuff their job.

Thank you. You are 100% correct, and I'll spread some reputation to you for that.

[MorrisM]

Has anybody heard about the incident at JFK Airport in New York? This air traffic controller brought his children to work and even allowed them to give radio directions to pilots.

The FAA suspended him - rightfully so I should say. The controller's actions were completely inappropriate.