Washington State University
BUSINESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

---

Children in the Workplace

University employees are not to bring children to the workplace except as permitted by this policy.

For purposes of this policy, a child is defined as an individual under the age of 18 years who is not a student or employee of the University.

This policy applies to employees who may wish to bring dependent children to the workplace. This policy does not apply to approved University programs that involve children in education or research. This policy does not apply to children enrolled in approved University child care facilities.

A child who has an illness that prevents him or her from being accepted by a regular day care provider, particularly a child with infectious disease, may not be brought to the workplace under any circumstances.

The workplace may not be used as an alternative for regular child care.

When child care arrangements break down, an employee should seek alternatives to bringing the child to the workplace. In such cases, an employee typically uses accrued leave hours or leave without pay and cares for a child at home.

In emergencies, e.g., when the employee cannot be absent from the workplace, the supervisor may grant an exception to this policy. To request an exception, an employee submits a written request to the supervisor. Approved exceptions are subject to the requirements below.

Participation in an organized and approved educational event that permits children to observe and/or participate in parents' work activities is acceptable.

An incidental and brief visit by a child to a parent's workplace is acceptable.

When children are brought to the workplace, the following requirements apply:

• Children are expressly prohibited from entering hazardous areas. Laboratories, kitchens, and workshops are examples of locations that often present hazards to children.


• The employee who brought the child to the workplace is responsible for keeping the child within his or her "sight and sound" at all times. The employee may not ask any other employee or student to supervise the child.


• The employee who brought the child to the workplace is responsible for all aspects of the child's behavior. The employee is responsible for the child's safety and is financially responsible for any damages caused by the child.


• The presence of the child cannot disrupt the work environment or negatively impact the productivity of the employee who brought the child or other employees or students.


• The employee's supervisor may direct the employee to remove the child from the workplace at any time if the supervisor determines that this policy has been violated or that the child's presence negatively impacts University interests.

See 50.20 for the general University policy regarding access to facilities.