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Children on campus policy

Policy

The policy for children on campus (for staff with family responsibilities) affirms the existing positive practices within the University and recognises that provision for students and staff with family responsibilities is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving equality of education and employment opportunity.

The University recognises that family responsibilities are industrial and educational matters which are not confined to social or private realms of life but are the concern of the University community as a whole.

Various childcare options may be available to staff members either through the University or in the wider community. These include childcare centres, occasional care centres, babysitting, family day care, school holiday programs and before and after school programs.

Despite the range of childcare options, staff members may occasionally, in unforeseen situations, need to bring children to their workplace until other arrangements can be made, thus allowing staff members to meet workplace demands. However, when children are introduced to environments which are not designed to cater to them, issues of safety, supervision, productivity and legal liability arise.

Guidelines

The following guidelines have been developed to protect the interests of children of staff members and students of the University community and the University:

Responsibilities of parents/care givers

Requests should be made (preferably in advance) to the relevant supervisor, except in the case of a short visit. The principle of "reasonableness" will apply to both those requesting and those granting permission.

Staff members should be sensitive to the needs of colleagues and should not expect other staff members to care for their child(ren). When bringing children into the university the needs of other staff members should be recognised.

Child(ren) with or without an adult, are not permitted to remain in areas where there are safety hazards. Hazardous areas may include laboratories, dark rooms, workshops, plant rooms, food preparation areas, printing or maintenance workshops, areas where chemicals are stored, areas where machinery is used or any other areas designated to be hazardous by the zone occupational health and safety committee.

Child(ren) will be permitted to accompany their parents/caregivers to the library, student union, staff offices or other non teaching areas subject to particular regulations relating to safety hazard areas mentioned above.

Parents or caregivers must ensure that other users of these facilities are not unreasonably inconvenienced by the child(ren).

Child(ren) brought into the university must be under the direct supervision of an accompanying parent or caregiver at all times. Responsibility for all aspects of the child's behaviour should rest solely with the parent.

Responsibility of supervisors

Requests by staff to bring child(ren) to the workplace shall be treated sympathetically and no reasonable request should be refused. Requests shall be treated with flexibility and sensitivity.

Factors when considering permission to bring children on campus may include the age of the child(ren), the environment (location, size of area), and the degree of possible interference with other staff members.

Provision for sick children should normally be made within the context of various forms of leave available to staff, which include: carer's leave, compassionate leave, annual leave, special paid leave, and unpaid leave provisions.

Note: As a general rule, a sick child is any child who is too ill to attend school or a childcare centre.

The length of time and frequency of visits may be arranged between the staff member and their supervisor.

Permission may be withdrawn should any child(ren) be disruptive to the workplace.

Resolution of problems or disputes

Monitoring, intervention and resolution of any problems or disputes rests with the relevant staff member concerned and their supervisor.

If a matter is unresolved, the Head, Family and Child Care Services or the co-ordinator, Work Life Family Unit may be involved to conciliate the matter, in consultation with the relevant supervisor or head of department or administrative unit and thereafter be dealt with via appropriate University procedures.

Related policies and Enterprise agreement provisions