Telework with a sick child
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Anonymous
Yes, my employer would rather I keep working and get projects done, regardless of where I am or if there is a child sleeping in an adjoining room. I know that sounds weird to government bosses though! |
Anonymous
| If my 6 year old were really sick - like the flu - he would lay around and sleep all day or watch tv, and I could get work done. If he were just a bit under the weather, he would harass me constantly and I would get nothing done. |
Anonymous
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OP this is as much about her as it is about your team.
She is taking more leave than the policy allows, maybe in clear violation of the policy (6 to me is not an older child. An older child is in middle/high school), may or may not be getting work done. Meanwhile others are working in accordance with the policy on your team, I presume. But whatever her situation is/is not, you need to think about its impact on the rest of the team. What kind of message are you sending? If you do nothing it will be construed as favoritism or a lack of expectations, and that breads resentment and laziness. Can others who are sick, but with no kids, "work from home" even if they get their work done? Or do they need to take a sick day if it isn't a planned telecommute day. She's using it as a substitute for sick leave. With that said, like a PP said, you should not expect her to work if she is taking sick leave. |
Anonymous
Agree. Easily work from home with my 6 yr old. |
Anonymous
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Others on team are watching.
Our GSE has devolved to people working at home and having infants crying on the conf calls in background . everyone knows and many do it. So if you want others to do same thing do nothing And if people think they can work with a sick 6 year old you must have nothing to do. There is no way I could do my job with a small child in the house and no one else watching. |
Anonymous
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This is one of the reasons I'll never work for the government - rigid rules reign over common sense. Progressive companies have caught onto the fact that we are actually human beings when we're not in the office.
As the baby boomers keep getting older, more and more people need to take time off to be with their families. And people have always needed occasional time off to stay with sick kids. That's not going to change. I work for a company that allows liberal teleworking - you can take it whether you are single or married, have kids or not. Whether it's a sick pet or a grandmother who needs someone with her once a week, as long as you get your work done and don't inconvenience the rest of the team, you are allowed to be a responsible adult. I'm not saying that this particular employee is not in the wrong; she seems like she is taking advantage. But life is hard for a lot of people. The OP sounds like she is married with only one child, and doesn't understand the juggling that many of us have to do. What happens when she has two or three, or her husband leaves her? Balancing work with the rest of your life becomes much more difficult. I agree with PPs that the OP should ask her if something serious is going on in her life - maybe her child has cancer or a serious illness. |
Anonymous
With all the typos in your post, it appears that you can't do your job even when there are no children present. |
Anonymous
| OP, is there an update? |
Anonymous
I'm curious what your sick 6 year old is doing. Mine literally will watch tv/movies all day, and occasionally moan. What type of at-home job can't you do while your kid watches tv? |
Anonymous
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Don't forget another thing - you said the employee has a long commute, so she could actually be even more productive on these days she's home. I know when I telework and don't have to deal with an hour commute each way, I get a TON more done (even if I have to spend 10 minutes making lunch, or cuddling with my kid, or finding a new movie for him to watch). I'm also not being distracted at work by co-workers stopping by wanting to chat about random things.
It's hard to say if she's taking advantage. Some kids are just sick all the freaking time, and there are strict rules for when kids can and can't go to school. |
Anonymous
And some kids notice that mommy keeps them home from school for the lightest headache... and start complaining, a lot. Like mother, like child. |
Anonymous
| Be tough OP. I doubt she is getting as much work done at home as she should. |
Anonymous
| This is so ridiculous, first of all her kid may have a serious illness that she doesn't want to disclose. Second, who cares if she is doing her job?? I can blow off work both in and out of the office. I call BS that OP cares about the rest of the team - at least I've never seen that in any gov't manager, ever. Don't forget if she's forced to take sick leave that means zero works gets done and frankly she can blow off work from the office too since it is nearly impossible to fire someone. |
Anonymous
Sure if your dc has a fever and sleeps it is possible but when the kid is getting sick or getting better it is an all day affair. Wanting to go for walk. Play with toys. Chase dog. Eat lunch turn on tv. Turn off music. Read a book. Chase squirrels. Go to cousins play football. You name it. A 6 year old craves attention. Anyone that says they work while watching a 6 year old is lying |
Anonymous
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I am sure I missed this, but OP. . .He SHE GETTING HER WORK DONE?"
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