Employers: This is a week for childcare compassion

When Toronto municipal workers walked off the job at midnight last night, that left 2,800 kids without daycare. There are 57 city-run daycares that are now closed, leaving hundreds of families in a bind.

Most vulnerable here are the people who rely on city daycares to mind their children while they're at work full-time, and who don't have grandparents or other family members ready to help out in a pinch. I'm thinking particularly of new immigrants, of single parents raising children without help from the other parent, and of those in low-paying service jobs where not showing up could mean immediate dismissal.

Some people will be able to get away with taking their kids to the office for a day or two. Others will start eating into precious holiday days or - if they're among the lucky few - some family emergency days.

This is the time for managers to be compassionate and throw out the rule book. Who cares if you're not meant to use your sick days for anything other than being sick yourself? (Hell, it's a rather luxurious sick-days package that has, in part, got us into this mess.) Maybe there's an empty office where a few stray kids can play computer games or watch a DVD. Perhaps some of your employees can work from home. Business won't grind to a halt, and it's just this sort of decency that builds company morale and trust, particularly in difficult economic times.

And childless eye-rollers be damned. Our kids may be sitting next to us colouring with the highlighters from our desk drawer for a few days until we figure something out. It's incredibly stressful to be torn between work and family responsibilities, particularly if you've got mouths to feed and concerns about keeping the paycheque that allows you to do so. Don't like it? Plunk on some headphones and maybe throw your extra Post-it notes our way. We might just get a few more things done while Junior uses those to decorates the filing cabinet.

Comments

[Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem]

I find it irresponsible for this union to go on strike and risk the health and safety of millions including small children and babies. Any work place that cannot support parents through this needs to create a plan for such situations. This is the perfect time for all people to promote emergency family plans as the children are not the belongings of their parents, they are the generation that inherits our future and will be there creating jobs when the workers of today want to have pensions. This is not just about the short term but a shift in our society to act responsibly.

[Shady]

I guess that I'd be considered a "childless eye-roller". Kids have no place in professional environments and I know if my co-workers were to bring theirs around, I would be angry. I would be angry because they would be distracting, probably noisy, possibly messy.

You have children and it's your responsibility to have a back-up child care plan in place. Even without a strike, what happens when he or she is ill and is not allowed to attend daycare?

[New Immigrant in toronto]

in Canada "System " says we care lot when subject called " child" comes... it seems to be big Lie..if you do not belive then do not act. this strike is completly unfair. they should make them point by protesting differant way like they use black band on wrist or they pickup only one side garbage or they work slow like anything they do bhut not to balckmail society..this is Blackmailing and this is not fair for those people who do not have Jobs and they willing to do anything to feel their families.
God ......Save this materialistic world..it is not good for human race ...Unions should be banned.

[Brandie Weikle]

Shady, you ask a good question about what parents do when their children are sick and have to stay home from daycare. Here's the answer: They blow through their sick days and holidays, call in favours, or empty their bank accounts paying both the fees at their daycare and a back-up agency or babysitter. When something like a strike comes along they've likely already spent the playdate karma and used the holidays/sick days. Then when parents of nearly 3,000 kids - many who rely on subsidies because they don't have the money for luxuries like nannies - compete for those back-up spots/favours/nannies in an environment where there are two-year wait lists for spaces, the math just doesn't work out.

When there's a transit strike work places often pull together to help people figure out carpools, etc. I think there's a general understanding that if one's ride in from Oakville was going to make them later than normal, the workplace could offer that much understanding. That's what's required to keep business running, and what's required in this situation is compassion, tolerance and a little open-heartedness.

(Incidentally, my kid has spent a couple of days in the office and managed to sit quietly colouring and watching movies on a laptop all day.)

[canadian]

Would Liketo Ask Simple Question here....
what ever people write here...do some one listening?? and make it work or No...
I fel no one care here

[Imie]

Good post!

It's easy for anyone to roll their eyes and say it is our "responsibilities".

But don't forget, as a society, it is our responsibility to care for our future - our children.

It's funny how the unions say on the radio - "they care" so they are on strike to service us. huh?

[Leanne]

I'm a stay at home/work at home Mom, and I realize how blessed I am AGAIN when this sort of strike happens. I loved this post, thanks for reminding us all again that 'it takes a village'.

Oh, and here's some cyber post-it notes for the kids. ;)

[G.]

I really don't understand how people could turn their backs on the union workers. It really is unfortunate that your children are without day care and other services, but why don't you focus your anger towards the real culprits...the city of Toronto. I understand that we are in a difficult economic situation and that demanding to keep paid out sick days might seem kind of selfish...but no one seems to mind that the city council is giving everyone else cut backs but themselves. When a union goes on strike it is time for the people and the workers to come together and change those in power ...not themselves.

[Shady]

Imie,
You chose to have children and I didn't. Therefore they are your responsibility (no quototation marks).

My part in the village is making environmentally sound decisions so 'our future' inherit an earth worth living on, its lies in paying taxes so kids can go to school and get healthcare, it involves not drinking and driving so kids have saf(er) streets to play on, it means covering for their parents when they have to leave work early to take them to appointments or pick them up at daycare sick, attend a meeting with the teacher at school or drive out of town for a weekend hockey tournament. It doesn't involve me having to share my workday with them.

In answer to Braidie's response. I work for an organization that provides unlimited sick self days and unlimited sick family days. You get investigated if a suspcious pattern is seen (i.e. your child is sick every Friday) but otherwise are very flexible.

I maintain that children have no place in a professional environment.

[H.]

Frankly, I happen to agree that a good, responsible employer should try to make accommodations in these circumstances, however, the extent of those accommodations must be weighed against their impact on the employee's performance, as well as others attempting to do their jobs. On the other hand, I'm a "childless eye-roller" and I resent that I'm the one being cast as bitter and unreasonable in such issues. Yes, children are our most valuable asset, but that is exactly why people choosing to bring children into the world must cover their bases and ensure they have contingencies plans. Frequently, I am asked to make significant accommodations to my workday for my child rearing colleagues, they come to work ill because they had to stay home when their child was sick so I get the pleasure of catching their child's cold, they leave early so they can attend concerts, sports meets while I stay late to pick up the slack, etc. Then, when I ask for the same accommodations so I can take my dog to the vet or insist that I must be home before dark so she can get some time in the sunlight, I am refused and treated as though my request is laughable. It is about work-life balance for all, not just those privileged enough to have children.

[H.]

G. I disagree and believe that one must examine what the issues are. Yes, council should also be expected to make some concessions, however, these unionized workers have had an easy ride for far too long and we, the citizens, can not afford to maintain their standard of living any longer. These employees get twice as many sick days as I do and their wage increases are significantly higher, yet my taxes pay for that. If we have another significant property tax increase, I won't be able to afford my current accommodations and will have to sell and move. The unionized workers are being unrealistic in their demands.

[Lloyd]

Very important article Brandie, thanks.

I'm fortunate enough to work in an office where it's very tolerant. My child can come to work with me practically any day, and I don't need a reason.

As for children having no place in the office: I think it's okay as long as the parent is keeping their child's behaviour in check. If the child is misbehaving, and you as a parent can't control it to the point where it's disruptive to your co-workers, then you need to be respectful to your co-workers and find an alternative. However, if the child is doing nothing but being a child and not doing anything outrageous, and that annoys someone at the office, then I'd say that annoyed person has the issue -- not the child, not the parent. Your pet peeve or mental anguish is an issue you have to address.

To H: I will agree with you about catching illness from a parent who caught it from a child. That's just selfish and not respectful. Also, I'm sorry to hear that your office is not treating you fairly according to your perspective. However, don't you think that's an issue with your company more than an issue with the parents? Staying late to "pick up the slack" means you're letting people take advantage of you. That's not right, so maybe you should take that up with them (co-workers/managers) if you think you're being wronged. BTW, personally, as a co-worker of yours, I would indeed cover for you if you had to take your pet to the vet or wanted to see your niece's graduation.

I'm grateful I don't have these issues at my office. I hope some of you can understand that the parents are just being parents -- being responsible (well most of them are). I'm sure they don't think they're better than you or deserve better treatment. Even before I had a child, I never had issues with children in the office as long as it was respectful. And I'd apply the same mentality to any other office behaviour.

[Not amused]

Going on the attack against "childless eye-rollers" says more about the author of the article than it says about anyone who doesn't have children.

Whether of not those of us without kids are in agreement with automatically welcoming this sudden change in our work environment it would behoove the author to keep in mind the many times we already cover for those with children when they cut out early or take more days off than the rest of us.

[Muskoka resident]

With the garbage piling up and no one to check that the water your kids swim in is clean, why not just send your kids to a nice healthy sleep-away camp? Or maybe now is the time for a family vacation? There are lots of camp and daycare spots here in Muskoka, and the air is sweeter. As for work being no place for kids, I agree - but not because some snotty "professional" will find that to be distracting. Kids need fresh air and play time.

[JMJ]

Of the 2,800 children, how many have parents currently picketing? As well City of Toronto employees, currently on strike also have priority accesss to childcare facilities to other taxpayers. How's that for going through the backdoor?

CUPE Local 79 Collective Agreement: ".....Currently employees of the City have priority access to 400 child care spaces presently being provided directly by the Children’s Services Division...."

And as Shady has indicated: "Kids have no place in professional environments". They're not Day Cares, they're Businesses and quite simply it's NOT their problem.

It's a City of Toronto problem.

David Miller: Call in the replacement workers.

[AL]

As there is nothing more that a child wants to do with their summer vacation is to be sitting inside playing computer games and watching movies. They spent 10 months of their year inside sitting and "learning". They need these two months of summer to exercise more than just their eyes.

This is summer. They should be outside, PLAYING. Send them to camp, not daycares. Think outside your city. Ontario/Canada has so many opportunities.

Children spent too much of their time in sedentary activities.
Find a neighbourhood teen, get them to watch/play with your child(ren) outside. I'm sure they are looking for something to do

I understand the parks are not being maintained, but wait, isn't their school yards and playgrounds all over the city that can be used. I bet your child knows all the cool things to do there. That is why recess is their favorite time of day.

Physical Education and recreation is more than just a school "frill". Once parents start to demand the schools educate their children in play, games, and leisure, they will be more than capable of filling their free time with more than television and video games.
It happened with language arts and math. Parents stood up and demanded that schools be accountable for that curriculum. Now its time to focus on physical education, leisure and recreation.
Leisure takes up 35% (equals roughly 25 years)of your life. Start thinking about how your child is spending it.

[Clyde MacGregor (MacGregrrrr the Terrier-ist to the unwashed!)]

I've been obliged to take my son to the office on a number of occasions (e.g. emergencies such as deaths, explosions, forest fires). It has helped him learn that sometimes we have duties and responsibilties, and he accepts his role in being helpful. "Win-win" life lesson, I'd say.