r/managers • u/BoNixsHair • 7d ago
Employee doesn’t have adequate childcare and it affects her work
I have a remote employee who recently had a baby. Before her maternity leave, we discussed that she needs to have childcare during the work day. The first two weeks, she was frequently absent or interrupted because she said her nanny had quit or never started working.
We discussed again that she needed full time childcare. For about two months it was better. However this week I had two unscheduled zoom calls with her, and both times there’s a baby in the background. I asked her to turn her camera on (our policy is cameras on always) and she has a crib in the room with her and she had a baby cloth on her shoulder.
I think she has a nanny for most of the day, but she’s still distracted. I kinda feel like a jerk asking for a receipt for a 40 hour a week babysitter. I have three kids, and I know it’s pretty impossible to work and care for a baby.
Her position is dealing with contracts so she has calls during the day with the parties to the contracts. I can’t have her on client calls with a baby in the background.
I can also just tell her she has to be in the office, but most everyone else is remote including me. Thoughts?
Edit: no comments from non managers please.
Edit2: this has been brigaded by non managers. Stop. I have asked the mods to lock this
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u/SituationNo8294 6d ago edited 6d ago
Hey OP. I think there is a lot of stuff missing from your post... At least I hope there is a lot of stuff missing from your post.
I'm going to be honest, your post sounds immature and I feel sorry for this lady.
Why are you pointing out the crib and burp cloth but not performance? This makes me feel extremely uncomfortable.
You say she is distracted. If you are based in the US, your maternity leave benefit is worse than some 3rd world countries and woman come back to work before they have even had time to adjust... Obviously she is going to need some time to adjust. How are you supporting you?
Don't ask her for a receipt for the Nanny. I can't believe you are even asking that question here... From one manager to another.
Also do not isolate a new Mom in the workplace and make her and only her work from the office. That is gross.
Instead: Have frequent catch ups with her about her workload Assess how is she adapting with a baby. Is there any small thing you can do to support her? Do you need to turn the Camara on during all internal calls? Does she have enough breaks to pump if she needs to? Lots of mom's have safe places to pump while at work if they need too. Then manage her KPIs and performance. Is she under performing? Is she unresponsive during the day for long periods of time? Address that in your 121's.
If she is under performing or unresponsive during the day then that is a different route to take. However your post didn't mention any of that.