Can we return to work with schools still closed?

Question

Curious on your thoughts and what options you are exploring as businesses slowly reopen and schools (and maybe summer camps) remain closed.

Anonymous · Answer

I am curious about the same thing - we are being asked to come back to work after memorial day, but no camps (for older children) have been announced as opening in the area of NC where I live. I am at a loss as to how to balance this.

SARAH HALL · Answer

This is why we as a nation have to have a serious conversation about child care. Child care costs more than rent in most cities and it’s next to impossible for some parents to find it, much less afford it, but child care workers make barely more than minimum wage. We claim we as a country care about families, but we don’t do a damn thing to support them. We need policies - paid family leave, affordable child care, better employment policies, flexible work environments, higher wages - that allow people to both work and have kids. Parenthood shouldn’t be a privilege of the wealthy.

Goalsetter721394 · Answer

I am experiencing both sides. I have a child in second grade, and I am a people leader with employees who have kids.

My perspective - this is nothing we have control over. It's a difficult set of circumstances that we need to manage as best we can. I am planning on having to care for my child until school opens in the fall, perhaps beyond.  I don't expect that I'll feel comfortable with any sort of arrangement for anyone else to care for him.

Because of that, I'm balancing homeschooling and keeping him occupied with my full-time job that I'm doing from home. It's hard but we're making it work. I expect that this will continue for several months.  And even after the homeschooling curriculum is no longer provided by his school at the end of this month, we are going to continue learning something. We bought Rosetta Stone so we can all learn Spanish this summer and will continue reading, writing, and math. I'm hoping the routine of home learning will help all of us through the extended time of being at home.

I'm extending a lot of latitude to my team because they are juggling everything just like I am. It's not like a global pandemic happens every day. We're working together to keep the bases covered and will just take it as it comes.

I would suggest that anyone in a challenging situation have a very honest conversation with your boss. Explain your circumstances and try to find a workable situation together.  If you show a willingness to work and compromise, a reasonable manager would meet you halfway until we return to some semblance of normalcy.

Anonymous · Answer

I guess the answer is we can because so many of us are already doing it. I do think there is going to be a huge influx of demand for babysitters and nannies if daycares and schools don't open because you can at least make the decision to invite these people in your home if you have the luxury of being able to afford it.

Jennifer A · Answer

No, I don't believe we can return to work without schools and/or childcare.  As an employee of a non-profit foundation being led by a president who was a leader in the public health, he explained to us that when communities shut down schools, they are serious as government understands the strain that this will cause to not only parents but the economy as a whole.   In addition, we were fortunate to have a guest zoom call yesterday with a local county leader in education.  Their first goal when this thing hit was to provide 'pop-up' childcare for essential workers and they are now working on how to bring kids back safely - starting with a pilot program for special needs kids beginning in the very near future.  One of the things that she emphasized is daycare or school - the first hurdle will be making labor feel safe.  I liked that approach and hope that when this happens in other areas, that parents question whether staff feels safe.  If staff feels safe then I believe that our children will be as safe as they can be.

Katie Malone · Answer

I've had so much anxiety over this. I work for an essential company (as does my husband) and we have made it work with the kids for now -- one is finishing first grade and the other is in day care full time. They haven't been to school or day care since March 15. Day care is open and our summer camps will open. I am hesitant to send my children, but I know work will ask me to come back soon. So what do I do?!? Put all of us in harm's way to go back to an office where I could easily do this work from home??

Anonymous · Answer

I'm not affected by this directly as I don't have children, but definitely see the concern and issue. As I doubt that there will be coordinated policies/recommendations between government and businesses, I expect that it will ultimately be handled differently by employer. Hopefully those whose jobs can be done remotely, will continue to have that option (for health safety as well as child care) with understanding, empathy, and flexibility from employers.

As for jobs where you need to be in person...I expect it will vary greatly and also be a nightmare. Some employers may be flexible and innovative in how they support their staff. Others will unfortunately take the attitude that it is the parents' problem. With the volume of unemployed right now, I unfortunately think many will choose to let those people go and look to hire new staff. I hope I'm wrong!

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Can we return to work with schools still closed?

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