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Guidelines for Children in the Workplace
Statement: Old Dominion University's employment policies and benefits are indicative of our efforts to help employees balance work and family responsibilities. The university believes in an environment that is conducive to work; therefore, the workplace should not be used in lieu of childcare. Office and work space is not designed with the safety of children in mind. There are safety hazards and possible university and supervisory liability in the event of accident or injury. Although the campus-at-large strives to be a family friendly environment, it must be recognized that it is not appropriate to bring children to work as a substitute for making arrangements for regular childcare while at work. The following guidelines are established to minimize potential liability to ODU, risk of harm to children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions. It is the responsibility of the University's managers and supervisors to ensure that the work of the university is accomplished in an environment in which employee health and safety concerns are respected and work-related disruptions are minimized. The workplace should not be used in lieu of childcare; therefore, it is inappropriate to allow extended workplace visits by minor children or other minor relatives (persons under the age of 18) of employees. There may be occasions when brief visits by minor children may be necessary. These visits are at the manager's discretion and the employee should receive prior permission before bringing a minor child to the workplace. In these circumstances, children will be the responsibility of the parent while in the workplace. Supervisors may make an exception for a temporary, unforeseen emergency, but no parent or relative may have a child in the workplace without the supervisor's permission or use the workplace as an alternative to childcare or for any other purpose. As necessary, supervisors may grant leave or flexible hours at their discretion to meet emergency or unforeseen circumstances. Employees and supervisors must consider issues of safety, confidentiality, disruption of operations, disruption of services, disruption to other employees, appropriateness and liability posed by the presence of the minor children in the workplace. No minor may ever be allowed into an area that is potentially hazardous. Children exhibiting symptoms of potentially contagious illnesses should not be brought into the workplace. The guidelines do not prohibit minor children and family members from being in the workplace during university-sponsored events intended for children and/or families, or intended for community participation.
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