Administrative Policy 77: Children in the Workplace |
Issued: 08/09/05 Revised: 12/15/2015 |
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Institution Approval: Chancellor's Cabinet 12/15/15 |
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Reviewers: |
Maintained By: Mel Klinkner |
77.01 Statement of Purpose
Maintaining the safety and health of University of Wisconsin–Parkside employees, students, guests and visitors relies upon the control of hazardous conditions and prevention of unsafe behaviors. When the visitors are children, diligence to guard against unsafe conditions and unpredictable behaviors must be heightened.
The workplace is typically not an appropriate place for children of employees. However, the University of Wisconsin–Parkside recognizes that employees may occasionally want to bring children to the workplace for brief visits, specific campus events, situational convenience, or family emergencies.
77.02 Definitions
For purposes of this policy:
“Child” or “children” means a person or persons less than 18 years of age, and not enrolled or admitted for enrollment in classes at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside.
“Employee” means any employee who has responsibility for a child, as defined above, while in the workplace regardless of the employee’s relationship to the child.
“High risk area” includes any area deemed high risk by the campus risk manager, or any area with: hazardous levels of radiation; hazardous chemicals or substances; hazardous biological agents or vectors; or, hazardous equipment or processes. Examples of areas with these characteristics include:
“Management” includes supervisors, managers, department chairs, deans, provosts, or chancellors. UWSYS Children in the Workplace Policy 05.05.14
77.03 Exclusions
Except as provided elsewhere in this policy, or other university policies, laws and regulations that limit access to or otherwise regulate high-risk areas, this policy does not apply when a child:
77.04 Policy Statement
This policy addresses the factors to consider when allowing an employee to bring a child into the workplace. Circumstances in which employees want to bring children into the workplace generally fall into the following acceptable categories:
Abuse of policy. Children are not to be brought to the workplace on a regular basis in lieu of childcare.
High risk areas. Children are not allowed in high risk areas, as defined in this policy, unless an exception has been agreed to by management of the area and the institutional risk or safety officer. Even children excluded from this policy, as stated above, are not allowed in high-risk areas, unless an exception exists.
Responsibilities.Generally, an employee who brings a child into the workplace shall not leave the child unsupervised. Employees are responsible for verifying with their manager the circumstances under which children are allowed in their specific workplace. If management allows the occasional visit of children to the workplace, both the employee responsible for the child and workplace management must accept certain responsibilities (listed below) to protect the welfare of the child and the integrity of the workplace.
An employee who brings a child to the workplace must:
Management must:
77.05 Denial of Permission
Notwithstanding the exceptions provided by this policy, management has the authority to deny the presence of children in the workplace. Management may revoke previously granted permission for the employee to bring the child to the workplace (e.g., the child’s presence is later determined to be disruptive to the workplace).
Violations. Any employee who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
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