A male coworker lost his wife during the pandemic and is struggling financially with two toddlers. When our company reopened, he requested to bring his kids to work and none of us objected. However, he constantly leaves them with me for hours without permission, making it hard for me to do my job. When I complained to HR, he was told he could no longer bring his children to work. Now, everyone is angry with me for complaining about someone who is struggling. Was I wrong to go to HR? I had requested he not leave his kids with me unannounced, but never warned him I would go to HR. Read on for more details and to give your opinion.
Unsplash | Annie Spratt
Complaining about coworker's toddlers after wife's death - empathy needed
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
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Coworker brings toddlers to work, disrupting office environment during pandemic
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
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Coworker leaves kids with me without permission, disrupting work environment 💼
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
👶 Coworker leaves toddlers at work, complains made to HR
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Coworker retaliates after I reported him for bringing kids to work 😠
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Struggling with work-life balance while caring for toddlers 😩
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Navigating work and personal life boundaries, did I cross it? 🤔
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Setting boundaries with a coworker's toddlers 🚫👶
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Coworker brings toddlers to work only for important meetings. 🤔
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Avoiding team lunches gets you labeled a "poor team player" 😑
justwantedtoexplore | justwantedtoexplore
Coworker leaves kids with me at work, I complain to HR 😤
Returning to work after the pandemic has been tough for everyone, but for one coworker, it has been especially challenging. With two toddlers and the recent loss of his wife, he has been struggling to keep up with work and care for his children. When he asked to bring his kids to work, no one objected, but things quickly became overwhelming for one female coworker who found herself doing more babysitting than actual work. After confronting her coworker and getting no change in behavior, she went to HR, leading to a confrontation and a decision from HR that left everyone divided. Is she the a**hole for complaining about a grieving widower, or is it a necessary boundary to set in the workplace? Read on for comments and reactions.
Female coworker forced to babysit male coworker's children, NTA
[deleted] | [deleted]
Employee complains about coworker leaving toddlers at work, takes action 💪
bigbluebridge | bigbluebridge
NTA for going to HR after coworker repeatedly used you as free babysitter, despite being told to stop. Commenters express support and suggest seeking legal advice.
Jedi_Mind_Chick | Jedi_Mind_Chick
Coworker bringing toddlers to work unannounced is a liability 🚫👶
NiteGrimwood | NiteGrimwood
NTA for complaining to HR about coworker dumping toddlers on you.
ForzaA84 | ForzaA84
Don't let anyone take advantage of your kindness! 🙅♀️
Positive_Mango_2783 | Positive_Mango_2783
Coworker leaves toddlers with female coworker, and she reports him
DerekScott | DerekScott
👍 Stand up to sexism and entitlement in the workplace.
Academic_Snow_7680 | Academic_Snow_7680
Coworker leaves toddler with OP at work, HR complaint justified
Left-Car6520 | Left-Car6520
Set boundaries and stand up for yourself. 🙅♀️
Yisuscrais69 | Yisuscrais69
Breaking gender roles at work, NTA put coworker in place 👏
Urbanyeti0 | Urbanyeti0
No A-hole here! Others should help with the kids 🤝
NimyLS | NimyLS
Don't let a coworker take advantage of you 🤨
lawfox32 | lawfox32
Compassion doesn't justify burdening coworkers with childcare 🙅️
mommy0618 | mommy0618
Struggling father dumps toddlers at work, OP complains, NTA.
sarah280590 | sarah280590
NTA. HR was your only option. Don't let anyone guilt-trip you. 👍
Relative_Anybody8389 | Relative_Anybody8389
NTA coworker pawns his kids off on you, you complain to HR 🤷♀️
Southern_Hamster_338 | Southern_Hamster_338
Suggest offering to watch his kids during meetings. NTA 👍
nana_banana2 | nana_banana2
Female coworker becomes default childcare option for male coworker's toddlers 😠
Normal-Height-8577 | Normal-Height-8577
Coworker's personal struggles do not justify dumping his kids on you.
[deleted] | [deleted]
Don't let your coworker take advantage of you! 🚫👶
FondantHelpful | FondantHelpful
Coworker uses me as free daycare, I complain to HR 🤷♀️
7thatsanope | 7thatsanope
Sexism at work? NTA for complaining about coworker's selfish behavior 🤔
kimjong_unsbarber | kimjong_unsbarber
Don't let others take advantage of your kindness 🙏
e_lunitari | e_lunitari
Don't let coworkers dump their kids on you! 🚫👶
Any-Comment-7575 | Any-Comment-7575
NTA: Office ≠ daycare. Bound to happen. Condolences, but not acceptable.
[deleted] | [deleted]
Don't be a pushover. Demand respect and don't babysit.
OpinionatedAussieGal | OpinionatedAussieGal
Commenter accuses coworker of stealing company money for babysitting.
Puggymum64 | Puggymum64
Setting boundaries with coworkers who bring kids to work 🚫👶
mikokat | mikokat
Being a single parent is tough. NTA. 👍
floatingvan | floatingvan
Coworker leaves toddlers at work, company's compassionate solution. NTA.
jraa78 | jraa78
Empower yourself! Shut down the haters and focus on you! 💪
tatasz | tatasz
Don't let lazy coworkers dump their kids on you 😒
LMurtaugh | LMurtaugh
Gender bias in child care responsibilities acknowledged by commenter 👍
DragonflyFickle9550 | DragonflyFickle9550
Sending toddlers to work? Definitely NTA for going to HR 😮
Allyson1286 | Allyson1286
Dumping kids at work without prior agreement is unprofessional 👎
lovelyb1ch66 | lovelyb1ch66
Suggest a rotation for babysitting duties to avoid unsustainable arrangements 😕👶
CymruB | CymruB
Don't let coworkers take advantage of you 🚫👶
someone-w-issues | someone-w-issues
Bringing toddlers to work is absurd. NTA 👍
MaryContrary26 | MaryContrary26
Coworker dumps toddlers on female colleague, NTA for complaining to HR 🤷♀️
RevKyriel | RevKyriel
Single dad coworker dumps toddlers on female coworker. NTA for complaining.
dialtones- | dialtones-
Coworker dumps toddlers on me at work, I complain to HR 😒
bobby_axelr0d | bobby_axelr0d
Don't get paid to babysit 🤷♀️
Whole-Neighborhood | Whole-Neighborhood
Don't let entitled coworkers take advantage of you 😤👎
JennerikUse | JennerikUse
Don't let your coworker's personal problems become your problem 😕
[deleted] | [deleted]
Don't mix work with babysitting 🚫👶 NTA for complaining.
Stitchapuss | Stitchapuss
NTA: Coworker should not bring his kids to work.
capricorn40 | capricorn40
Commenter questions if OP is getting paid for extra work.
Yeppie123 | Yeppie123
NTA. Lack of planning on his part does not mean he gets to put pressure on other people to assist him.
EdwardRoivas | EdwardRoivas
Commenter frustrated with people avoiding responsibility 😑
Square_Temporary_893 | Square_Temporary_893
Don't let others take advantage of you at work! 💪🏽
furansisu | furansisu
Your coworker needs to find a proper babysitter 👨👩👧, not dump them on you at work.
littlepinkgrowl | littlepinkgrowl
Don't let sexist coworkers take advantage of you 👊🏼
thebarrelmonkey | thebarrelmonkey
NTA, a workplace is not a daycare. 🙅♀️
Responsible_Candle86 | Responsible_Candle86
Gender bias in parenting responsibilities at workplace exposed 👩🏻💼👶🏻
Bakecrazy | Bakecrazy
Insensitive coworker leaves toddlers at work; commenter bets on his remarriage
dibbun18 | dibbun18
Coworker gets what he deserves. You're NTA, thumbs up 👍
Avibuel | Avibuel
Don't let anyone take advantage of you at work 🤝
SneezlesForNeezles | SneezlesForNeezles
Children don't belong in a professional setting. NTA 👏
[deleted] | [deleted]
Gender bias in childcare responsibilities at workplace 🤔
GrouchyBear_99 | GrouchyBear_99
