This is an interesting one and something that happpened to us recently where a baby was brought into the office environment and the mother started to change the baby in the office. The assumption is that people would understand that bringing a baby into work is not really ideal. However, as a parent you are clearly proud and want to show off your child. We had a reasoned discussion with the parent and they understood the reasons why this should not happen going forward.

As it is such a unique situation most companies would not have a policy or risk assessment in place for such an event and it would be perhaps disproportionate to do so. However, if you wish to encourage or make it an option than why not? The first thing to ensure is you undertake a risk assessment, develop a policy and ensure all would be parents and employees have been communicated to on the matter. You should also check with your insurance company to see if you are covered for visiting parents/children. They may just say no and then health and safety would be blamed rather than the insurance company and before you know it there would be a newspaper article saying ACME Ltd refuses hungry baby food....I digress.

You would need to make clear specific controls and no go areas for the parent and child and factor in any adjustments to your building as rooms should be made available for the parent to change/look after said child whilst on the premises etc. You will also have to consider what other people think as not everyone will appreicate having children entering the work place (even under the supervision of a parent).

I hope this helps and provides a starter for ten.

I implemented a VERY strict policy when it comes to new mothers bringing in their babies to the work place.

'All babies MUST be kept away from machinery & the H&S Manager'.

Works for us...

;-)

Andy

I am aganist bringing babies and/or children to the workplace.

I will mention just few hazards associated with babies and/or children to the workplace.

It is distraction for others (increase potential for accident), quite often generate extra noise (noise and stress hazard) and you need to look your steps where are you going as toddler can be everywhere (slip, trip and fall hazard), not to mention self closing doors (hit by moving object hazard) which can harm children when the parents disappear to toilet or talking to others.

Employees toilets are for adults in majority cases - not for children/babies.

If proud parents want to share joy, they can do outside workplace, outside working hours.

I will just say that I knew this would be a contentious issue when I posted it, I just wondered if anyone else had anything in place. I think when posts say things like Fred & Ann will be coming on site at 11:00 and will be in the main office with their new child, this is actually having a system in place. I have had 4 children and worked at the same place as my wife with 3 of them who were all displayed with joy to our co workers, (Some even gave a silver coin) The issue I have in the new workplace is that even though the production area is 100% off limits some people bring their toddlers (3 and 4 years)on site when they are not at work and sometimes go from one office block to another to make sure they see everyone. I personally would not do this (Not just because my oldest is now 28) because I think it opens up hazards that that do not need to be there. Having worked for "Bigger" companies where a children on site policy would be in place we currently have nothing and "Some" people seem to just tip the scales a bit much.

Some of these postings imply that their workplaces are so dangerous that nobody except a fully trained operative is allowed anywhere near them. As well as excluding babies this this should include Boards of Directors, auditors and local politicians looking for a photo opportunity.

One of the reasons for the negative reactions could be that some people see the workplace as a refuge from their kids and family, and seeing children at work reminds them of the world out there, which they would rather forget.

I had one manager like this, so whenever he was out I’d bring number one son in and use his desk as a changing station!  

The appearance of children in the workplace is permissible only in extreme cases and only if the working conditions are not dangerous or harmful. It would be best if you also considered that for such parents, it is necessary to equip a special place where they can feed and change the child.

If a proud mother or father wanted to bring their newborn into the office to say hi then I have no problem - put away your H&S clipboard and smile and coo.

However, if the parents then need to be told don't take your newborn into the factory (noise and dust, machinery and FLTs) or not to walk accross the busy transport yard or into warehouses where FLTs also operate then that is a whole different issue and I would feel sorry for the poor child.

Just my opinion.

I have a Children and Young Person Policy and Risk Assessment I can send you if you would like it. It covers work experience students as well as visits from employee's children.  

2018 thread - December 2020 last visit by OP