If the Queen is doing it, it is definitely something you should be considering! Read all about our days in the FT Adviser
The engagement levels of staff for a Bring Your Child to Work Day have proven to be very high both for parents bringing in their children as well as the actual staff that are involved. Sarah Boddey, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer says ‘ We work with Employees Matter to run a Bring Your Child To Work Day every year at Northern Trust as part of our broader CSR and employee engagement strategy and the event is always very popular. The children learn about what their parents do at work through a variety of fun, engaging and age-appropriate activities and we always get such great feedback both from the children and their parents who often comment that their children were talking about the event for days afterwards.’
So here are a few top tips to consider if you are thinking about arranging a Bring Your Child to Work Day:
- Have you got the space? Ideally you need a large room that will fit tables and chairs for the children to do all their activities at.
- Age range. A Bring Your Child to Work Day, in our view, is not a Christmas party. This is an interactive, work orientated day. We recommend a good age range is 8-12 year olds. 8 is old enough to start understanding the world of work and 12 is just before ideas of work experience kick in. You may also want to consider a corporate teens day which you could offer 12-15 year olds.
- Health and safety. This is a very important aspect to consider. A risk assessment needs to be done of the areas the children will be working in and DBS checks needed. Simple things such as chords hanging from curtain and window shutters, accessible toilets and tripping hazards.
- Some of your staff may volunteer to talk to the children but are they dynamic and will it be exciting for the children? They may be brilliant at their job and THINK they should address the kids but will it be inspiring?
- Goody bags. Every child loves to go home with a goody bag. Even if it has a pencil, pen and a rubber the children will appreciate it. If you are planning one in the Christmas holidays, perhaps Santa can come along too.
Most parents are proud to bring their children into work and there is nothing better than them knowing they have had a great day. Chris McGarvey who is a partner for Pinsent Masons LLP fed back to us after a recent Bring Your Child To Work Day in their Glasgow office. ‘Thanks very much to you and Nadine for doing such a great job yesterday. Feedback from my two was extremely positive which was a refreshing surprise, especially from my daughter who can be prone to bouts of premature Disney teenage angst and sarcasm.’ What more could you want from a Bring Your Child to Work Day!
For help with any of the planning or running of the day, please contact us or follow us on @bringkids2work