It’s a hugely successful initiative that Employees Matter has rolled out across major UK corporates over the past few years, and as word spreads, momentum is growing.
If you’re new to the BYCTWD concept, here are a few key points:
Why should we hold one?
- It’s an engagement tool with a huge impact that can be felt right across the business. Clients tell us that employees love having their children involved in the business for a day.
- It exposes children to what their parents do and gives them a real insight into the place and atmosphere of their parents’ workplace
- It affords staff a positive view of the organisation
- The scheme engages staff with children during tours of the building, or when they’re talking about the role they play at work
Is there a specific date for Bring Your Child to Work Day?
No. Companies choose a day that is convenient for them, usually during one of the half term breaks or school holidays.
How does this differ to when individual members of staff ask if they can bring in their child to the office for the day?
This is totally different. Many schools ask parents to take their child into work for the day as part of a ‘Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day.’ This is like work shadowing. A formal Bring Your Child to Work Day opens up the workplace to a group of children enjoying fun and educational programmes together in a formal setting on one day.
It sounds like a lot of work – is it?
Clients can have as much or as little input into the day as they choose. Booking a room in the office and sending an invitation out to the company to participate is the minimum requirement.
Do you only run these days in London?
No, we travel around the country and we have held days in Basingstoke, Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, London and Reading – so far.
Do your staff have the relevant safety and security checks?
Yes. Health and safety is hugely important to us. We only work with leaders who are fully DBS checked and a member of the team is always first aid trained.
What can a typical day look like?
Days are centred on a theme so that the children build up to a final crescendo. Everything we do is linked to a number of activities throughout the day. We provide all the equipment and resources and bring along games for some down-time.