Babies in the workplace.

I dont really care either way doodle. Take the baby to work dont take the baby to work. It wont have any impact on womens lives, career progression, division of childcare between the sexes (in fact I think it will make that worse). Its the difference between real structural change and tinkering around the edges.

I agree, but alongside that, there is a huge gap which says that if an mp has trouble with childcare, how does a recently bereaved old nan with no family manage?
Isn't it time to address that, too?
Just using me as an example, but family life these days is very much more varied.

I think we are saying the same thing. I don't think that allowing people to have a baby on the premises will have a huge impact either.

I do, however, think that a blanket ban on allowing babies will make life more difficult for mothers (at least until men take a proper share of the childcare). For that reason, I wouldn't like to see it banned, as has been discussed wrt the HoC incident.

I agree with you on the bereavement situation too, MissA. None of these things should exclude the other.

Yes, but why all say the same thing, when we can have a good row about it?

Firstly if MPs are not permitted maternity leave then there has to be some system for them to work and care for their baby, otherwise you are discriminating against them as other women can take up to a year off.
Then if we want men to take equal responsibility they need to be given the ability to do so. So perhaps 2 years babycare leave to be shared equally amongst the parents might help. Of course at present even the one year isn't fully funded so only the well paid could afford to use it. Perhaps payment which could only be paid to a dad caring for a baby would help.
As for taking your baby to work, I see no reason to rule against that. It should of course be subjected to risk assessment and there will be jobs that can't do it. Perhaps those jobs should receive some financial help.

I am really grumpy I am on day 10 of testing positive for covid.
I have just read the guardian article from Stella Creasy, she is so close but so far away at the same time.

bloody covid I hope you are okay
I agree with you MissA, flexibility needs to be there for lots of people. I think people overlook the complex situations a lot of people who are unemployed or economically inactive face.
I couldn't take Stella Creasy's baby into work either fwiw and neither would I want to as I don't think it is a safe environment for a child (or some adults to be perfectly honest )

To be fair from what we are hearing I am not sure the HofC is a safe place for some adults.

I wouldn't want my baby around somewhere with traces of cocaine here there and everywhere.

How long is a child a baby ?For myself not long enough.I cherished every moment my two noisy little mites were totally dependent on me.
I was more than willing to sacrifice my independence by giving up a well paid job to work for less which I did. giving me more time with my children .What was more important ? than sharing a time in my and my children's lives (that could never be recaptured) for the sake of a job.?

Some people breastfeed until their child is at school these days.

I haven't had the option of giving up work, though.
I couldn't even mourn the loss of my only child.
I was sent straight off to the job centre to sign on.

Allsorts
Agree 100%%%%.

My gp was written to by the dwp to tell him not to issue another sick certificate, and the one which was still valid was overridden.
Again - it just opens up and exposes the huge gap, and widens it

daisend1

What is important for each woman is different

For you, you chose your kids vs work

For others, it could be making both compatible

When a father chooses his job and his family has to adapt to it - society accepts it as "providing for his his family"

When a mother chooses to make both priorities compatibility- she is shamed for it

Not a choice I was given.
I was nowhere near ready to go back to work.
I had to cut short the counselling I was having, push my boy from pillar to post.
Those are the sorts of issues that need sorting.

Agreed, Hithere.

One size does not fit all, whether that is choices about working or some workplaces being different from others. Nobody should be pushing their experiences or viewpoints onto others.

MissA, the bereavement situation is a disgrace. A friend of mine was full-time carer for his mother for years, and when she died he had three weeks to sort everything out and start applying for work, whilst simultaneously grieving for the loss of his mum. Heartless.

What if a woman would put her work first, family second?
That's inconceivable and unacceptable

Hithere

What if a woman would put her work first, family second?
That's inconceivable and unacceptable

Why? Men do it.

Perhaps if men did it less, we'd have a more equal society.

Daisend1

How long is a child a baby ?For myself not long enough.I cherished every moment my two noisy little mites were totally dependent on me.
I was more than willing to sacrifice my independence by giving up a well paid job to work for less which I did. giving me more time with my children .What was more important ? than sharing a time in my and my children's lives (that could never be recaptured) for the sake of a job.?

Dangerous. If you'd divorced, you'd have been parachuted into poverty.

I'm not sure where people think the option is for single parents not to work.
Where would the money come from to allow someone to stay home?
The job centre? The clue there is in the name.

Gagajo

I agree with you, I should have put a label of "sarcasm on"