What can I do aboout coworkers bringing their sick children to work?

Question

What can I do about a coworkers who bring their sick children to the office? I have tried talking to our supervisor, but the supervisor says that if they have no babysitter and are needed at in the office they can bring the kids in.They wont let them work from home when the children are sick,they bring them in and I get sick along with everyone else.I like kids but HATE being sick....last winter and spring I had one cold after another. Other than look for another job, which I am considering, what else can I do? I dont want to be sick for the next 4 months!!

Answer 1

Keep a can of antibacterial spray in your desk and use it frequently in your work area. Also there are some medications over the counter that are supposed to work. You should not have to defend yourself for trying to prevent catching all these colds. If your desk is in a pool, ask to be moved to a remote area. Tell your supervisor that you are prone to catching all the air born bacteria that the kids have and you wish to work away from it. Point out to your supervisor that you are asking for equal treatment.

Answer 2

Airborne is great! And keep anti bacterial stuff at your desk. You could also ask your supervisor if he/she can make a room available at the office that's just for the sick kids. Have the supervisor stock it(since he/she is the one who allows this) with books, toys, puzzles, crayons and coloring books, a little table and chairs, possibly a TV and some kid DVD's, that way, they can stay in there and not be running around getting everyone in the office sick. Personally, I don't understand a supervisor that would allow that to happen. I mean, would they rather have one person out every other week with sick kids, or the whole dang office at one time. Not very smart on the supervisor's part. Maybe if more of you complained about it, your supervisor will have second thoughts.

Answer 3

This is not a simple answer because you know your employer is looking out for the bottom line. The solution is how to get a healthy and productive workplace, yet keep your employer satisfied.

The work-life balance is not working at your place if people are bringing sick children to work. And I bet under these circumstances, there are also people who are coming to work sick because they can't work from home.

Given these circumstances, you can either be a change agent in your workplace or you can go find another job.

How many people in your work area (with or without children) are suffering the same problem -- recurring colds, etc. when sick children/employees?

Does your company have a human resources staff? Offer solutions -- complaining will not bring change.

Some suggestions:
1) Posters regarding personal hygiene (washing hands) posted in restrooms and eating areas
2) Find out whether hospitals or agencies offer sick-child care in your area, and make this information available to parents -- maybe your employer can subsidize part of the expense!
3) Ask employer to provide personal hygiene supplies like kleenex, waterless hand cleaner, antiseptic wipes for telephones and keyboards
4) The telecommuting policy is something you have to discuss with an HR person. Sometimes for security and privacy reasons, some jobs cannot be performed outside the work area. But it's worth giving it a try -- because telecommuting has many benefits, among them, reduces employee's time commuting to work.

I hope this helps and good luck

PS. I swear by Zicam Gel Remedy -- I haven't had a big time cold since I've used it!!!

Answer 4

airborne. It's like a super vitamin pill, that prevents you from getting sick. Personally I don't think it's very professional, the parent should just take sick time to take care of their child. But if the supervisor says they can, then they can. You can always escalate your complaint, saying by bringing in the sick child, they are exposing all the workers to get sick at the same time. Which would then be even worse. Having one person sick as opposed to having an entire team be out.

Answer 5

Try Airborne. I tried this when I came down with a cold.. and it worked! You can take it whenever you feel like you are getting ready to get sick.. or when your coworkers bring in their sick kids.. keep it at your desk.. and you can take it then!

Answer 6

I'm sorry but you sound like a whining immature kid yourself, sitting here complaining about someone else's child being sick and coming to work~Everybody doesn't have it like you, GROW UP...