Bringing Babies to Work

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Tiffany Sharples

A cooing baby in the next cubicle? It may sound like a recipe for distraction to some, but programs that allow parents to take their infants to work are growing across the country. The newly established Parenting in the Workplace Institute has a database of more than 70 U.S. companies that allow babies at work, and founder Carla Moquin says she is constantly including more. "I believe that this is actually a lot more prevalent than I've found so far," she says, adding that many companies are slow to establish formal policies but often make ad hoc arrangements for individual employees.

Those informal agreements are paving the way for official policies, particularly as more women move into protocol-setting positions. While working as an attorney early in her career, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius took her two infant sons to the office and has been an advocate for workplace parenting ever since. Today, 21 state agencies in Kansas allow parenting in the office. "We live in a society where too many people make workers choose--do you want to be a good parent, or do you want to be a good worker?" says Sebelius, whose oldest is now 26.

Advocates know that permitting babies on the job is not a universal solution. It wouldn't work well, for example, with certain jobs, like doctoring and teaching, or for particularly fussy infants. But even naysayers may be surprised by the results of research conducted by Mary Secret, a social-work professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her 2005 analysis of 55 businesses with baby-friendly policies found that people often anticipate disaster but there is rarely a negative effect on co-workers or productivity. What's more, she learned that having babies around can boost morale among colleagues. "We have tended to have this myth of the separation between work and family," Secret says. "In reality, that never existed."

Of course, studying how babies affect a workplace is one thing, and experiencing it is another. Here are some views from people who have:

The Working Mom

Susan Goodykoontz, 42, epidemiologist, Arizona department of public health, Phoenix.

At various times, she took three of her four kids to work. "I felt as though I had a before-and-after experience with my children," she says. "It's a great benefit, you have more time to find day care, and it's obviously a cost-saving." Still, it does require some adjustments. "It definitely takes some getting used to," she admits. "Some things are difficult, such as talking on the phone when your baby wants to talk too."

The Business Owner

Debra Pierson, 40, Pierson Consulting Co., Mechanicsburg, Pa.

She lets employees bring babies on a case-by-case basis. "I don't think a baby is any more distracting than talk about Dancing with the Stars or what you did over the weekend," she says. "I really think it's the best of both worlds for those women who can bring their babies to work. They can care for their own child and not miss those firsts."

The Opponent

Collette Liantonio, 58, president, Concepts TV Productions, Boonton, N.J. A mother of three, she thinks a child-care option at work is a good idea but babies shouldn't be allowed in open work spaces: "I think it's totally inappropriate. Why should the person in the next cubicle be subjected to that distraction? It's disrespectful."

The Convert

Don Herrington, 50, bureau chief for epidemiology and disease control, Arizona department of public health, Phoenix. He has no children and initially opposed the program. "It couldn't have been more the 180° opposite. Any reservations I had are gone," he says. "The babies were a great source of morale. Everyone enjoyed seeing them--they were happier people."

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1699879,00.html

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I barely get anything done at home with my daughter underfoot. I would get absolutely nothing done at work in the office. I would rather advocate on-site daycare, sectioned away from the workers.

[Krikit 1,165]

The only time I would want babies around me while I was at work would be if I worked at a daycare.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

With more adults acting like children at work, who needs more babies on the job? Not I.

[Fandango 1,440]

Steven, are you thinking of bringing your baby to work? Or can J bring the baby to Dillards?

[Alex+R 0]

OMG sounds AWFUL. Like being trapped in coach with screaming babies, except, hello, it's your work life. Children do NOT belong at work.

[Jenn! 918]

Hmmm, I'm all for more flexibility in terms of working from home for parents whose line of work will allow it. But bringing the baby to work is too much!

[JODO 2]

Is this like take your daughter to work day?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven, are you thinking of bringing your baby to work? Or can J bring the baby to Dillards?

No way. A baby needs constant tending to. I couldn't see how this would work for most jobs. BTW, Jinky won't be going back to retail, once she leaves.

[Fandango 1,440]

Steven, are you thinking of bringing your baby to work? Or can J bring the baby to Dillards?

No way. A baby needs constant tending to. I couldn't see how this would work for most jobs. BTW, Jinky won't be going back to retail, once she leaves.

When you post articles, it's hard to figure out what you're getting at cos you never say anything cept the article quote.

[Alex+R 0]

When you post articles, it's hard to figure out what you're getting at cos you never say anything cept the article quote.

I don't think he has to be making a point. It's more like he wants to know what others' opinions of the ideas in the article are.

[Fandango 1,440]

When you post articles, it's hard to figure out what you're getting at cos you never say anything cept the article quote.

I don't think he has to be making a point. It's more like he wants to know what others' opinions of the ideas in the article are.

I didn't say he has to be making a point. But one would think for the sake of conversation, if you're starting a conversation about what ppl think, you would add your .02 as well.

I was explaining why I was asking him what he thought.

[AUBGER 0]

On-site daycare yes. Babies running all around though. I really doubt the productivity. They can prove it all they want and maybe it doesn't affect the super moms but the people without children must me pulling their hair.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

But even naysayers may be surprised by the results of research conducted by Mary Secret, a social-work professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her 2005 analysis of 55 businesses with baby-friendly policies found that people often anticipate disaster but there is rarely a negative effect on co-workers or productivity. What's more, she learned that having babies around can boost morale among colleagues. "We have tended to have this myth of the separation between work and family," Secret says. "In reality, that never existed."

Very interesting Steven, thank you for sharing

Saludos,

Caro

[KiKi 0]

I was lucky to be able to bring my daughter to work 2 days a week (I could have brought her everyday if I had wanted to)....until she got too mobile.

I brought her playgym, bouncy seat etc and she just hung out with me.

I worked for a very family friendly social service agency, and my boss was a great guy.

When she got really mobile it no longer worked, but it helped me SO much when i went back to work to be able to have her with me a couple of days. My heart was breaking to leave her.

Now, thankfully, my husband got a better job, so I'm home with her.

It was hard, but thank God, I had great support.