[Publib] re: children of staff

[Tracey.Reed at myClearwater.com]

Howdy all - 
 
Like many, I was going to continue to lurk on this but figured I'll throw my opinion in for good measure.
 
MPOW has no specific policy against staff children and allow it as long as it doesn't disturb the work of the parent (or in one case, grandparent) of the child.  I had one staff member in my department who really can't afford child care for her son so he spends many days off from school here; I know of one librarian who, like many who have written before, put her daughter to volunteering after school and during summers and that young woman is now considering a career in librarianship.  
 
I find that pretty cool.  And I'd rather have my staff in work, doing his/her job than home.  Yes, we give leave for the needs of children, but wouldn't we rather have work getting done than having a person take sick time (or vacation time/personal time/whatever) when bringing them into the library is available?  And allow that leave to be used more effectively?
 
Any behaviour that interfered with work or disrupted the library should fall under an existing policy for patrons or staff.  As long as it doesn't interfere, then I don't see a problem.
 
And, since this thread ran a tangent into the single, childless get dumped on, I'll throw my single, childless opinion on that too.  Picking up shifts/covering for or otherwise any team member should be a priority for everyone in a place of work.  Ideally, we work together and catch each other's slack all the time.  It's what makes people be able to work together.  However, if it's *expected* that Jane or Joe will always work nights, or should be willing to cover for those with kids who dart out early, reschedule leave around those that have children, or can't come in (wouldn't we rather the kid come with in this case?), then that's a workplace culture issue that should be addressed.  
 
-t, opinions are my own, usually just to spite me
----- 
Tracey Reed 
Computer Services Librarian 
Clearwater Public Library System 
tracey.reed at myclearwater.com 
727.562.4970 x5036 
www.myclearwater.com/cpl 
Florida Library Association New Members Round Table:  http://flanmrt.blogspot.com <http://flanmrt.blogspot.com/>  
"Living never wore one out so much as the effort not to live." - Anais Nin 

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