SURVEY SAYS – What's Going On for Take Your Kids to Work Day?
Based on this week’s responses, the commitment to this day in the workplace has waned somewhat over the past several years, with 40% noting basically that their workplace wasn’t doing anything special today (more on that in a moment), and another 25% citing “other” – generally either because they didn’t have children, didn’t have children of the proper age(s), or – most commonly, because the day was now being commemorated on a different day. As one reader noted, “…the schools in our area requested we recognize the day after school is out so as to not disrupt the learning process. We heard, listened, and changed our “official” day to bring our kids to work on June 8th, at which point the kids will come, and thank goodness for our Director of Employee Programs, I get to enjoy the day without too much extra effort.” Another said, “Our company has decided to recognize this affair at a later date…some time in June I believe. This is the 3rd year they have chosen to do this.”
On the “no children” front, one reader observed, “I have no children to bring to Take your Children to Work Day. However I have requested, and been denied, permission to bring my dogs to work on Take Your Dog to Work Day. (This year June 23, 2006.) My dogs are better behaved and often times more interested in what is going on in the workplace than some of the children co-workers have dragged along to Take your Children to Work Days.”
Having said that, roughly 10% of this week’s respondents were bringing their kids to work, another 3% were actively involved with those events, and roughly 5% cited a “more than one ” response, generally some combination of an involvement with the event – and some trepidation about it. On the positive side were respondents like the reader who said, “I dragged my daughter to work with me on every occasion possible. She could fax at 8, file by 10 and was a good accounts payable clerk by 16. She knows how offices and their politics work, she is a productive member of society, she earning a decent living, and she is sitting at her own desk right now.” Another noted, “My daughter is 9 and would love to come to work with me for a day. Unfortunately my employer has changed the day’s activities to only include those ages 11-17. She is extremely disappointed – and IMHO by the time the kids are in middle school they are not really interested what their parents do!”
“Our company will be participating in kids at work day,” noted another. “It will include activities such as going on client calls with reps., projects we have been stock piling for that summer help, sitting with staff to learn what we do, beside gazing out the window, answering the phones and a pizza lunch. We try to make it a fun day even though we all know it’s not as much fun as being a kid.
“Our company used to recognize the day, and my kids absolutely loved coming in for it. I am not sure why it got cut, but I am sure the almighty dollar and wasted (or perceived wasted) productivity did away with it,” noted another.
Yet another recalled, “I certainly would have taken my son to work with me if they had this event when he was young. The fact is, I did take him on a regular basis when he was young. As a single mom, I often had to work extra hours to make ends meet. I took him to work with me on the weekends and paid him to file, copy, fax, up-date accounting books, etc.”
One reader simply noted, “I am bringing my son to work tomorrow and he is very excited.”
Among the roughly 11% who were disappointed that their kids were too old for such things was the reader who noted, “My 3 children are college age now and have lives of their own. I used to bring one to work each year and really miss the time we spent together now.”
Despite those positive perspectives, negatives seemed to dominate this week’s responses – not so much because it is/was a bad idea – but because it appears, at least in a number of situations, to be so poorly implemented. Here’s a sampling:
“While I originally applauded the notion of “taking our daughters to work”, in order to expose young women to the workforce, it, like so many other things, appears to have become yet another victim of political correctness, that reduces an otherwise laudable attempt, to a mere transformation of the workplace into a childcare center for the day.”
“I believe that for the most part the kids who come to our office are not the ones who most need this day. Would really prefer to see this program changed to encourage firms to “adopt” a class at a school where the kids aren’t likely to be taken to work so that those children will get a glimpse into a working world they could aspire to.”
“We used to support it, but no more. The general (although not universal) view is that it was not particularly educational, and it was disruptive, both for the participating parents and the irritated nearby coworkers. Our school district doesn’t like it either, and actively discourages parents from taking their kids out of school for the day. I think the whole idea has the potential to be counterproductive: when the kids find out how stunningly boring most of their parents’ jobs are they may seek more satisfying careers, or they may just decide that work is something to be avoided at all costs.”
“I brought my daughter to work when she was 8 (she is now 15) and after one hour she said incredulously “is this what you do all day?”. Thank goodness for our wonderful Administrative Assistant who kept her busy for a few hours with copying and stapling chores (they were the highlight of her half day here!). My husband came at lunch to pick her up because she was so bored – she has never asked again.”
“I will once again have to be the bad guy who reminds employees of company policy regarding visitors and especially minors visiting out facility. Some employees (1) bring their kids to work and let them roam the halls and have others baby sit while they (the parent) do some real work, or (2) take them into manufacturing areas (we have a fab shop and a foundry) where minors just don’t belong. (We once had an employee driving his 6-year-old son around on a forktruck!!). I already feel like I babysit many of our employees, I don’t want to do it for their kids.”
My firm tried this a number of years ago but after one little darling scratched the words “Snoop Dog” in our newly-refinished walnut conference room table while eating the pizza lunch we thoughtfully provided, we reconsidered our commitment to this annual event.
I would say glad that I don’t have any children to worry about bringing to work, and glad that our HR Department (myself included) doesn’t even appear to be aware of this day.”
“Several years ago, I naively volunteered to present my department’s functions to the most uninterested, obnoxious bunch of juvenile delinquents I’ve ever encountered. And I like kids! It also didn’t help that by the time my presentation started, they were thoroughly tanked up on “sweet treats.” Needless to say, they didn’t handle the massive sugar infusion at all well. It ended up being one part “The Breakfast Club” (them) and one part “The Office” (me, albeit unintentionally). Never again!”
“…we should have it the other way around — a Take Your Mom/Dad to School Day. Spellig, Gramer, attn: to Detial, and Math skillss are all becomeing lost arts these days.”
“I already have a boss at work, I like to keep my mini-bosses at home.”
But this week’s Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who noted, “…while I find my job interesting, I fear my children would be bored to tears. “Hey kids, watch dad review the new DOL regulations on abandoned plans.”
Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey.
You can find out more about the day at http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=443
I'd have to go with (g) but based on past experience, I'd also say (c). Several years ago, I naively volunteered to present my department's functions to the most uninterested, obnoxious bunch of juvenile delinquents I've ever encountered. And I like kids! It also didn't help that by the time my presentation started, they were thoroughly tanked up on "sweet treats." Needless to say, they didn't handle the massive sugar infusion at all well. It ended up being one part "The Breakfast Club" (them) and one part "The Office" (me, albeit unintentionally). Never again!
None of the above. I certainly would have taken my son to work with me if they had this event when he was young. The fact is, I did take him on a regular basis when he was young. As a single mom, I often had to work extra hours to make ends meet. I took him to work with me on the weekends and paid him to file, copy, fax, up-date accounting books, etc. In fact, I had one particular boss who would pay him out of his own pocket for his help - saving me some money.
Last time I invited my legitimate children to the workplace, my illegitimate ones felt left out.
On Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day, I am:
e) disappointed my daughters and/or sons are too old/unable/uninterested in participating,
This year I've been asked to be the closing speaker for Take Your Children to Work Day and I will do that. But, I believe that for the most part the kids who come to our office are not the ones who most need this day. Would really prefer to see this program changed to encourage firms to "adopt" a class at a school where the kids aren't likely to be taken to work so that those children will get a glimpse into a working world they could aspire to.
H) Other - no kids!!!!
Will you be:
(a) bringing YOUR daughters and/or sons to work - NO - HE IS AT SCHOOL AND I'D RATHER HE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT THAN HANG AROUND MY WORK AND GOOF OFF - AT AGE 7, HE IS NOT THAT INTERESTED IN WHAT I DO AND I AM NOT INTERESTED IN BABYSITTING HIM DURING THE WORK DAY!
(b) helping out with events/programs related to the day - NO
(c) afraid you will have to help out with events/programs related to the day - YES!
(d) glad your daughters and/or sons are too old/unable/uninterested in participating - YES!
(e) disappointed your daughters and/or sons are too old/unable/uninterested in participating - NOPE
(f) more than one of the above- NA
(g) none of the above/workplace doesn't recognize the day - WE RECOGNIZETHE DAY
or (h) other (please specify)?.
D. I brought my daughter to work when she was 8 (she is now 15) and after one hour she said incredulously "is this what you do all day?". Thank goodness for our wonderful Administrative Assistant who kept her busy for a few hours with copying and stapling chores (they were the highlight of her half day here!). My husband came at lunch to pick her up because she was so bored - she has never asked again.
H) other. While I originally applauded the notion of "taking our daughters to work", in order to expose young women to the workforce, it, like so many other things, appears to have become yet another victim of political correctness, that reduces an otherwise laudable attempt, to a mere transformation of the workplace into a childcare center for the day. While I do not know precisely what my company has planned, from past experience I would guess the young "people" will take home few substantive lessons from the day. More likely, I suppose, their recollection will be that mommy or daddy spends more time commuting each day than they do awake at home with their children.
Answer (d) glad that my 2 daughters are too old and uninterested. Also (g) our workplace does not recognize this (idiotic) day.
Quite unfortunately, (c) afraid you will have to help out with events/programs related to the day.
In past years, employees have sent their children to fight for the best company trinkets given to the kids. One scolded a child for the teddy bear she commandeered and sent her back for a better choice. I think I feel a migraine coming on....
Our company has decided to recognize this affair at a later date...some time in June I believe.
Not sure why this decision was made. This is the 3rd year they have chosen to do this.
I'm ambivalent. I'm glad they're too old now, but it was fun when my boys did come to work with me for the day. I'm very glad they included boys since that's all I have.
Our office recognizes the day, but several years ago made the decision that no visitors are allowed in the office area. Instead of allowing the kids to come inside the office area, they are taken down to the cafeteria and allowed to watch a movie or something.
Thankfully my kids are in school and I don't have to worry about it!!
(h) other - I already have a boss at work, I like to keep my mini-bosses at home.
(g) Our group anyway is not encouraging participation. I have not seen daughters/sons here for the past four years.
(g) workplace doesn't recognize the day
I'll say (h) because my oldest daughter is two years old and the youngest is four months old.
Two things factor into the decision to not participate.
(1) They probably wouldn't get much out of the experience.
(2) It is difficult to type and talk to clients when holding a toddler and/or baby. Even if I brought in just the toddler, by the end of the day, everyone within earshot of my cube would be sick of hearing "uppy Daddy" and "uppy, uppy, uppy." Compounding this sort of problem is her recent discovery that shrieking loudly, especially whenever she doesn't get what she wants, is a great deal of fun, even if it is not effective at changing the parental decision(s).
About the only up-side is that I might be able to have an excuse to leave the office early -- to take her home for her nap right around lunch time!
I'm "Other" (H). No daughters or sons yet...that I know of.
(H) Other
Since the inception of "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" - the kids I have seen at the places I've worked are there mostly because it's another free day off from school. They could really care less about the purpose of the day- and hence, they become an even bigger distraction for their parents who can't get any work done. So my answer is (h) - I refuse to even offer the day to my kids - why give them another day off from school that only creates a backup of work for me?
I dragged my daughter to work with me on every occasion possible. She could fax at 8, file by 10 and was a good accounts payable clerk by 16. She knows how offices and their politics work, she is a productive member of society, she earning a decent living, and she is sitting at her own desk right now.
Do I support Bringing your kids to work? Absolutely!
H - other - My daughter is 9 and would love to come to work with me for a day. Unfortunately my employer has changed the day's activities to only include those ages 11-17. She is extremely disappointed - and IMHO by the time the kids are in middle school they are not really interested what their parents do!
Nevin: You've elicited a happy tear with this topic. I had the good fortune of bringing my youngest daughter with me to work for this annual event for many years (she is 24 now). She was the one that would always join me at the office on the weekends and I remember fondly how proud she was when she presented my boss with about 100 copies of her hand as a 6-year old office prodigy (he was, and still is a kind and warm gentleman). As my career evolved to the ownership of my own TPA firm, my daughter continued to join me and was actually quite helpful with any of the clerical tasks with which she was presented. My preference for dealing with our customers on year end visits and on sales calls presented an opportunity for her to experience interaction in a number of settings. A couple of these clients remember her fondly even today. Gradually, the annual event evolved to a golf outing. Since our family is generally nuts about golf, and I always told her that doing business on the golf course was really a part of the job, she caught me one year and we played golf for several years (sometimes, it really WAS work, but that's another topic). Both she and my son now work with me in my post-TPA existence. I consider it a blessing, and to a certain extent, a testament to my Father who passed 4 years ago. He always wanted us to be in business together and was a constant presence, sharing an office with our firm -- everybody loved Dad, our cheerleader, confidant and a source of wisdom.
Sorry this went on so long. You touched me here -- somewhat a workaholic that had a positive opportunity to share with his kids. I guess I'd choose h) with the recommendation that everyone consider this day as an opportunity to connect at a different level with their child, to enjoy them, to show them off, to give them a little different experience that all will remember for a long while.
g - thankfully. My children are grown, but, even without special programs, I always found ways to let them know what the workplace is like.
It was a bad idea that had absolutely no redeeming value. My son was never interested in playing a "work" day with dad and I wasn't interested in trying to find innovative ways to keep him from being bored for a real 10 to 12 hour workday.
(g) Our workplace does not recognize the day.
G (enough said)
First of all, my employer does not allow us to bring sons and daughters to work.
It is looked at as a disruption in the work place.
Second, I encourage my son and daughter to pursue one of their interests and make a career out of that. If they do that they will love to work every day! My son's office is now a cockpit and he finds sunshine in his work everyday!
(g) Our office does not recognize the day.
Occasionally the need arises for someone to bring in a child to work and it's typically disruptive. Most of the children are under 10 and there is only so much copying or shredding that they can do. As a TPA firm with emphasis on consulting, it's difficult to schedule activities that could involve the children and keep them interested. We're probably afraid that none of them would want to follow in our footsteps after experiencing a day like that.
g. We used to support it, but no more. The general (although not universal) view is that it was not particularly educational, and it was disruptive, both for the participating parents and the irritated nearby coworkers. Our school district doesn't like it either, and actively discourages parents from taking their kids out of school for the day. I think the whole idea has the potential to be counterproductive: when the kids find out how stunningly boring most of their parents' jobs are they may seek more satisfying careers, or they may just decide that work is something to be avoided at all costs.
Nevin - I have no children to bring to Take your Children to Work Day. However I have requested, and been denied, permission to bring my dogs to work on Take Your Dog to Work Day. (This year June 23, 2006.) My dogs are better behaved and often times more interested in what is going on in the workplace than some of the children co-workers have dragged along to Take your Children to Work Days. Both are obedience trained and one has been certified as a Therapy Dog. I have no objection to showing kids what goes on in the office and in fact support the original goals of why the need for such a day. My observation is that parents have not really thought out what their kids will do all day long and so co-workers are recruited to fill up the kids' time, with little regard to what the co-worker might be doing that day. I've had clients that had their dogs with them in the workplace and most found the dogs to be an excellent judge of character as well as a morale booster for their employees. I have always said that should I ever own my own business, dogs will be allowed as long as they are well behaved and housebroken - two traits sometimes missing in children.
a) Our company will be participating in kids at work day. It will include activities such as going on client calls with reps., projects we have been stock piling for that summer help, sitting with staff to learn what we do, beside gazing out the window, answering the phones and a pizza lunch. We try to make it a fun day even though we all know it's not as much fun as being a kid.
h) Other....the schools in our area requested we recognize the day after school is out so as to not disrupt the learning process. We heard, listened, and changed our "official" day to bring our kids to work on June 8th, at which point the kids will come, and thank goodness for our Director of Employee Programs, I get to enjoy the day without too much extra effort.
(e) My 3 children are college age now and have lives of their own. I used to bring one to work each year and really miss the time we spent together now.
(i) More than one of the above - (a) bring son and daughter to work and (b) running the event for our group.
Why are you assuming that everyone has children?
A, b, e, and f. (My 10- and 13-year old will participate, my 16-year old will not).
H - Other…
Our company celebrates this day in the summer as it falls too close to the April 15th tax deadline and no one has time to plan this event. It works well for everyone in the summer, the kids get a break from summer activities (or lack of activities) and they don't miss any school. A couple of years ago we added a service project for them to get involved with the community, whether it's making stuffed bears for the children's hospital or tying fleece blankets for the veteran's home they get a sense of volunteering for their community and everyone has fun.
I am bringing my son to work tomorrow and he is very excited.
I'd have to answer h) other. I work remotely and "take" my daughter and son to work when they are off from school. As much as I love them, I look SO forward to the bus whisking them away every morning so I can get some quality work done! J
I vote (H) in that we should have it the other way around -- a Take Your Mom/Dad to School Day. Spellig, Gramer, attn: to Detial, and Math skillss are all becomeing lost arts these days.
(g) None of the above/workplace doesn't recognize the day,
(g) We don't recognize the "take your son or daughter to work" day.
H (other) - I will once again have to be the bad guy who reminds employees of company policy regarding visitors and especially minors visiting out facility. Some employees (1) bring their kids to work and let them roam the halls and have others baby-sit while they (the parent) do some real work, or (2) take them into manufacturing areas (we have a fab shop and a foundry) where minors just don't belong. (We once had an employee driving his 6-year-old son around on a fork truck!!) I already feel like I baby-sit many of our employees, I don't want to do it for their kids. (By the way, I have my own kids, so I am not against the idea of exposing kids to work life - I just don't like the way some employees delegate responsibility for their children.)
Take children to work...why would I want to do that? First my 18 year old daughter has no desire to work period, much less come to work with Mom and my 12 year old son would be too far behind in school and have too much homework for Mom to help with to have him miss a day! Anyway, they would probably think Mom's day is boring...no My Space, no Play Station at work...how lame!
While my son and daughter (grades 7 and 5) would LOVE to miss school for this event, our district highly discourages taking them out of school on this day. They do encourage parents to bring their children to work with them, but on a day when the child would normally be out of school anyway (conference days, in-service days, etc.) Work ethic is great to teach your children, but is that what you are teaching them when they are missing their "job" for an event that is really just for fun?
g) None of the above/workplace doesn't recognize the day.
Even if our workplace did recognize the day, I wouldn't participate. I wouldn't want my children to miss school just to see what I do at work. Besides, I think my children would find it "boring" (boys, ages 9 and almost 7). Maybe I should change my answer to d!
(g) - not observing. My firm tried this a number of years ago but after one little darling scratched the words "Snoop Dog" in our newly-refinished walnut conference room table while eating the pizza lunch we thoughtfully provided, we reconsidered our commitment to this annual event.
I did have a good run with it while my daughter was of age. For some reason though, it taught her to avoid working in offices. Too boring she said. Sad isn't it?
You must be kidding. The men in my office don't want to be saddled with their kids all day while they are trying to conduct stock trades. Their wives don't work outside the home for a reason. Our home office tries to recognize this, but gets very little response. Brokerage firms aren't places to entertain children. Most of them end up playing games on computers in spare offices. I never did think this was a good idea. I never had children of my own, but I've had to baby-sit a lot of my bosses children because of the "bring your kid to work day" scheme cooked up by parents who don't want to pay the daycare for the day.
G. Besides, my son is 3 and 1/2 months. Although he is obviously a baby genius, perhaps, that would be expecting a little too much.
LOL! 🙂
G. We used to participate, but having all of the little darlings running around was too much of a distraction so management put a stop to it...one of the better decisions they've made!!
Related to the survey the response would be 'H' with overtones of 'D'. I don't participate in the Take our Daughters/Sons to Work Day. Likewise my children aren't interested in participating other than it would give them a day out of school. My children have visited my place of employment and know what my job entails. The children also have a 'job' and that is to attend school and become educated. If the children take the day off from school, they aren't doing their jobs and I certainly cannot perform my responsibilities to the fullest while monitoring them. Had the Take our Daughters/Sons to Work Day been designated on a date other than during school sessions it would, at least, be less disruptive to the education of the children.
I guess my answer is (H) Other. You forgot about those of us that have children that are too young. It hasn't been that long for you has it? Our company has a very elaborate Daughters and Sons Day planned. My daughter is 4 and unfortunately too young to participate. I did volunteer to be a part of the event but they had enough with the parents and HR staff.
Last year I brought my daughter (11 at the time) to work. It ended up being more serious than she had hoped, but she got a much better idea of what I do. This year I will not be bringing her here. It's a small office, there are no events or programs related to the day. My son is in high school, and is too old to do it now. I guess I would have to answer (d) and (g) - since my workplace doesn't recognize the day (though they were very hospitable last year when I brought my daughter).
Both of my kids have been to both of their parents' workplaces over the years, so our work has never been a mystery. We have always shared during dinner, etc. what was going on at work with us. I think the "take your kid to work day" is extremely important for parents who don't normally try to explain what they do at work or what it's like. And its genesis - to show girls what is possible out there in terms of careers so they were not limited to the traditional secretary/nurse/waitress ideas - was really important. Secretaries, nurses, waitresses, etc. are needed and can be wonderful careers. But awhile back, girls didn't realize there were more possibilities.
Hadn't heard of it, so would assume the day is not recognized here. Anyway, since my "children" consist of a St. Bernard, Golden Retriever and Lab, wouldn't be a good idea for me to participate anyway!
(g)... not that it matters. I don't think my 4 month old son would be too thrilled to spend some time with Dad at work. Come to think of it, I wonder if he will ever be interested in spending a day with me at work? I know I wasn't too keen on the idea when I was young... work was so boring!
(g) none of the above/workplace doesn't recognize the day
My answer is (h) other.
Since we work in 'cubicle city', I'm hoping that those who do bring their daughters and sons to work, keep them relatively quiet and entertained so that the rest of us are not disturbed.
A combination of (d) and (e).
Since my daughter is 5 and my son is 2, bringing them to work isn't really an option yet. As for my answer, I lean toward (e), because when they get older, I think it would be fun to bring them to work and introduce then to the working world. I lean toward (d) because, while I find my job interesting, I fear my children would be bored to tears. "Hey kids, watch dad review the new DOL regulations on abandoned plans."
I didn't know that I could bring my sons (ages 3 and 5) to work tomorrow so I guess my answer would be G. However, even if I was able, they're both in school and I wouldn't pull them out just to have them come and be bored. They would drive me crazy because I don't have Play Station 2 at work.
(h) other (please specify)?.
Last year they observed the day later in the summer so the children wouldn't miss school. I haven't heard any mention of it this year.
(g) -- we don't recognize the day. Used to, but I think a corp. relocation got everyone too tired this year.
I will have to go w/G. Our company used to recognize the day, and my kids absolutely loved coming in for it. I am not sure why it got cut, but I am sure the almighty dollar and wasted (or perceived wasted) productivity did away with it.
I have also noticed many people who do well with adults cannot handle being around children and never really cared for the day...I have to wonder how they ever made it through childhood dealing with themselves.
🙂
I'd have to say (f), I have mixed feelings because while my college-age son is too old for bringing to work, I'd like him to see my new office. And while I think he'd be bored most of the day, the upside to that is that he could just leave and drive himself home!
(d) glad my daughter is too old.
I'm also disappointed that Secretary Day has moved so far away from it's origins. There is a small luncheon planned for Secretaries today. They will receive gifts from office supply vendors rather than their bosses (who, by the way and uninvolved). What we also do around here is in July, when kids are out of school, we have a "Bring your kids to work" day. However, the kids are entertained, rather than put to work. And, unfortunately, I will get sucked into assisting with the event (unless I'm able to plan a business trip).
My answer is g. I have had to plan and participate in some of the activities at prior jobs and I much prefer a company where we don't have to entertain other people's children. I used to think there was some value to your children seeing what you do at work, but now I just think it isn't productive either for the child or the company. Bah Humbug....
(e) disappointed your daughters and/or sons are too old/unable/uninterested in participating
I would say glad that I don't have any children to worry about bringing to work, and glad that our HR Department (myself included) doesn't even appear to be aware of this day J
Thankfully, I have two uninterested college student daughters, 18 & 22, one of whom is a Business & Marketing major. I say "thankfully" because, frankly, I come to work to get away from them. I love them & all, but all of us together in one place is just too much estrogen!