Telework with a sick child

[Anonymous]

From 4-6 I was sick all the time. I had fever of unknown origin when I was 4 for over half a year, then traded bronchitis back and forth with my brother for a year, then traded strep throat back and forth with him for a year. Then he got his tonsils out and we both stopped getting so sick.

Having said that, while I was sick, I didn't need anything. I either laid in bed sleeping, reading or coloring, or laid on the couch watching tv, or on the floor petting the dog. Every few hours my mother would bring me medicine and a drink.

She could have easily teleworked.

[Anonymous]

7 times in a month is a lot. Before you throw the rule book at her, have a conversation. Ask her what's up...maybe her kid has cancer or something. If you still have a feeling she's not being honest, then throw the rules at her.

[Anonymous]

OP you need to go to HR. I would be angry if I was her coworker and she wasn't pulling her own weight and boss wasn't doing anything. I had a coworker who teleworked with her parents with dementia for years. We could never get her on the phone, prompt answers, nothing. It really pissed us off that the boss never did anything.

[Anonymous]

Boss at my last federal job allowed me to do this (and I was pretty honest about taking leave for the hours I felt I didn't work). That said - I didn't abuse it and I got my work done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telework is not a means of childcare. Yes a day here or there happens and it's doable but she seems excessive with it. It has nothing to do with her still be able to perform her work duties. That is not relevant. You need to explain to her that a day of telework for a sick child is ok with you but after two days, she needs to find alternative care.

OP here - this is my primary concern. She seems to be working most of the time, but it's the frequency that it's happening that isn't reasonable. I just checked my calendar and she has teleworked 7 times in the past month due to a sick child. I don't even see how her child can reasonably miss that much school, even in kindergarten. She has complained about her commute in the past, and I'm starting to wonder if she is saying she has a sick child to get out of coming to the office.

That is an excessive amount of time for her child to be sick. I think she is using the child as an excuse to stay home.

[Anonymous]

I can easily get a full day's work in with sick 6 yr old. Movie fest for kid. I get up every 90-120 minutes to switch disc, administer Tylenol and hug, return to working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From 4-6 I was sick all the time. I had fever of unknown origin when I was 4 for over half a year, then traded bronchitis back and forth with my brother for a year, then traded strep throat back and forth with him for a year. Then he got his tonsils out and we both stopped getting so sick.

Having said that, while I was sick, I didn't need anything. I either laid in bed sleeping, reading or coloring, or laid on the couch watching tv, or on the floor petting the dog. Every few hours my mother would bring me medicine and a drink.

She could have easily teleworked.

Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From 4-6 I was sick all the time. I had fever of unknown origin when I was 4 for over half a year, then traded bronchitis back and forth with my brother for a year, then traded strep throat back and forth with him for a year. Then he got his tonsils out and we both stopped getting so sick.

Having said that, while I was sick, I didn't need anything. I either laid in bed sleeping, reading or coloring, or laid on the couch watching tv, or on the floor petting the dog. Every few hours my mother would bring me medicine and a drink.

She could have easily teleworked.

Wow.

NP here - don't understand the eyeroll

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old sleeps and watches tv when he is sick. They are easy and peaceful days. I'm not sure I see the problem. You say she's getting the work done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to go to HR. I would be angry if I was her coworker and she wasn't pulling her own weight and boss wasn't doing anything. I had a coworker who teleworked with her parents with dementia for years. We could never get her on the phone, prompt answers, nothing. It really pissed us off that the boss never did anything.

OP says this person is getting her work done. You might be projecting your situation onto this one a bit.

[Anonymous]

OP She's taking advantage of you and the situation. Cite the terms of the agreement, and involve HR if you think you need to, but you have to talk to her.

[Anonymous]

7 times in one month is a lot. What could it be? 1 time stomach bug, 1 time fever (virus), 1 time ear ache, 1 time strep... 1 time.... geez, I can't even think of 7 maladies that can happen in one single month. You might need to see what's going on with her child. OR, she's taking advantage of you.

[Anonymous]

I have done this - but only log in for the hours I actually work. Such as when my child is sleeping. I think she is taking advantage. My boss would NEVER go for it and I would NEVER ask.

[Anonymous]

If the employee does a good job and is responsible in getting his/her work done, then don't worry about it. They could be more productive than someone who is always in the office but doesn't get much done. It's not about face time, it's about being reliable and effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the employee does a good job and is responsible in getting his/her work done, then don't worry about it. They could be more productive than someone who is always in the office but doesn't get much done. It's not about face time, it's about being reliable and effective.

IMO it's not about being reliable or effective, it's that they are lying and taking advantage of OP.