Babies in the office....

[EggsBenedict]

Tyre Tread said:

Once again, insult: The last resort when reasoned argument and discussion fails.

Where?

Tyre Tread said:

You know, thinking about it, it is the parents fault for bringing the 'little bundles of joy' into the office not the child's fault at all.

Just another set of inconsiderate people (aka new parents) who think the mix of their egg and (insert some random guy)'s sperm is worthy of parading in front of colleagues.

It's a fking baby. Its just like any other baby and has no real place in the workplace.

'inconsiderate' - ah the irony. Why don't you consider that (1) It's more than likely the most important event in that person's life, and try and show a little bit of appreciation for that? (2) that usually (perhaps not you), but lots of others have said 'do bring the little one in when you're ready, be lovely to see him/her'. I very much doubt it's an everyday event after all.

And clearly, to the mum and to her friends or colleagues in the office, it's not just a fking baby, so perhaps you could cope with just putting up with it for a little while.

Tyre Tread said:

At least a pet interacts. Even a goldfish reacts when you tap on the bowl. A newborn baby? Just dog food really.

...and some people don't make it past the dog food stage eh?

[toohuge]

Something that does concern me about the whole displaying of children to friends etc. is that it can be a hugely emotionally difficult time for those couples / individuals that are not fortunate enough to have children. There seems to be very little thought put into the parents of the new born when parading around, look at how wonderful this is etc. when there are thousands of adults that do not have the same good fortunate.

I think a little discretion should be shown, as for some not having children is not a choice, it's a way of life and can cause serious emotional distress.

Chris

[Cotty]

Some Gump said:

One could argue that a single 15 minute "this is my baby" is good for morale, and will result in increased net team productivity for the working week.

You could also argue that someone on a years maternity leave decreases the teams productivity for whole year not a week.

How about multiple women taking turns to be on maternity leave for a total of 4 years. Do you think that is good for the moral of the people who have to do their work while they are away?

[toohuge]

Something that does concern me about the whole displaying of children to friends etc. is that it can be a hugely emotionally difficult time for those couples / individuals that are not fortunate enough to have children. There seems to be very little thought put into the parents of the new born when parading around, look at how wonderful this is etc. when there are thousands of adults that do not have the same good fortunate.

I think a little discretion should be shown, as for some not having children is not a choice, it's a way of life and can cause serious emotional distress.

Chris

[Some Gump]

Cotty said:

You could also argue that someone on a years maternity leave decreases the teams productivity for whole year not a week.

How about multiple women taking turns to be on maternity leave for a total of 4 years. Do you think that is good for the moral of the people who have to do their work while they are away?

Dunno chap - i'm guessing that in your example, the effect of multiple maternities within a team will have a vey negative effect on productivity. However, since maternity leave is not only a fact of life but a legal reuirement, i'm going to take on a similar logical outlook as used in the mathematical consideration of probability:

GIVEN that the mother is away on maternity leave for between 6 months and a year as a legal reuirement, I belive that the ability to introduce that kid to friends and co-workers will:
A - bring happyness to the department whilst the person on mat leave is away (and happy people are known to be more productive)
B - reduce the chance of resentment within that team due to absence connected with said "bag of meat"
C - increase the likelyhood that the new mum might feel ready to come back to wrok sooner.

You can argue as much as you want about maternity cover and pay etc - but that was not the initial topic of this thread. I know what it's like to cover a maternity (and see the commission for your sales go to said woman, who happens to be a bh), but the law is the law. Bringing a kid into work or not doesn't change the law, so your arguement is invalid.

[Cotty]

Some Gump said:

Cotty said:

You could also argue that someone on a years maternity leave decreases the teams productivity for whole year not a week.

How about multiple women taking turns to be on maternity leave for a total of 4 years. Do you think that is good for the moral of the people who have to do their work while they are away?

Dunno chap - i'm guessing that in your example, the effect of multiple maternities within a team will have a vey negative effect on productivity. However, since maternity leave is not only a fact of life but a legal reuirement, i'm going to take on a similar logical outlook as used in the mathematical consideration of probability:

GIVEN that the mother is away on maternity leave for between 6 months and a year as a legal reuirement, I belive that the ability to introduce that kid to friends and co-workers will:
A - bring happyness to the department whilst the person on mat leave is away (and happy people are known to be more productive)
B - reduce the chance of resentment within that team due to absence connected with said "bag of meat"
C - increase the likelyhood that the new mum might feel ready to come back to wrok sooner.

You can argue as much as you want about maternity cover and pay etc - but that was not the initial topic of this thread. I know what it's like to cover a maternity (and see the commission for your sales go to said woman, who happens to be a bh), but the law is the law. Bringing a kid into work or not doesn't change the law, so your arguement is invalid.

I was not arguing. But I stand by my comment that someone not working for a year is not being a productive member of a team

A no
B no
C will continue to take 1 year and come back on part time.

Quite simply I have had enough, I accept that companies have a legal requirement to offer up to a year maternity leave and that the mother can opt to come back part time. My response to that is to look for a new job and when that happens it will completely implode the team I work with.

[Vaud]

Cotty said:

I accept that companies have a legal requirement to offer up to a year maternity leave and that the mother can opt to come back part time.

It is a right to apply for the adaptation, it isn't a right for it to be accepted.

[Brigand]

A lass on my shift has recently gone on maternity leave, meaning I'm left to do "mandatory unpaid overtime" covering some of her shifts. If she has the cheek to bring her baby in to swan about the office I shall be a very peeved man under the circumstances!

(That's my bitter ten pence on the matter anyway)

[Impasse]

This thread is on the cusp of someone uttering the immortal: "When you've had children, you'll understand."

[PorkInsider]

Impasse said:

This thread is on the cusp of someone uttering the immortal: "When you've had children, you'll understand."

It's certain to come. It can only be a matter of time...

[BlackST]

I worked along side 2 women once. Could not imagine having to work with them 2 particular women and also a baby

[TwigtheWonderkid]

toohuge said:

Something that does concern me about the whole displaying of children to friends etc. is that it can be a hugely emotionally difficult time for those couples / individuals that are not fortunate enough to have children. There seems to be very little thought put into the parents of the new born when parading around, look at how wonderful this is etc. when there are thousands of adults that do not have the same good fortunate.

I think a little discretion should be shown, as for some not having children is not a choice, it's a way of life and can cause serious emotional distress.

Chris

We were in that position for a long time, although eventually did have children. We always fought against that negative emotion, and took pleasure from other people's joy in pregnancy/children. Why should people suppress their happiness for fear of upsetting someone else less fortunate? It's like saying "I won't drive my new car to work because Fred is going thru a tough time and is having to get the bus.

A woman in our office recent brought in cakes and threw a lunchtime party to thank everyone for their support having been given the all clear from cancer. Perhaps she shouldn't have bothered for fear of upsetting someone who has lost someone to cancer or is still battling cancer.

If I won the lotto, I wouldn't run thru the dole office waving wads of cash about, as that would be crass. But wanting to show off your new baby, that's perfectly natural.

[Blown2CV]

i guess the equivalent is to bring your new V8 into the office and then round up all the guys to admire it and have a go and then talk loudly about it and do no work for 45 mins.