Ethical daycare closures
March 16, 2020 8:12 AM Subscribe
Our daycare ought to be closing soon. Rather than just assume they are doing right by their workers, what should we push them for? (USA)
Schools in our area are closing on Wednesday. Our private daycare hasn't announced their plans yet but I will be shocked if they don't close on the same day as the schools.
1) If they don't close, should we pressure them to close? Either way we are keeping the kids home to do our part, but should we press the daycare to close? On one hand it seems obvious they should close so they don't become a hub for spreading coronavirus, on the other hand closing has impacts on the people that work there and the other parents who send their children there so I'm not sure it's our place to push for anything.
2) I'm fine continuing to pay tuition, but it feels deeply unfair for the school to continue charging us and not pay their workers. If they say we have to keep paying tuition and make it clear they're going to pay their people as usual I think that's fine. But if they don't make that clear I'm considering pushing them to pay their people. This seems like the ethical thing for them to do but at the same time it feels like I'm volunteering other parents' money. I suppose they could waive tuition for a couple weeks and not pay their workers but that seems not as good as charging tuition and paying people who are staying home.
Obviously we are just one family and can't force the daycare to do anything, but I do feel it's important as their customers to advocate for them to do things ethically.
Schools in our area are closing on Wednesday. Our private daycare hasn't announced their plans yet but I will be shocked if they don't close on the same day as the schools.
1) If they don't close, should we pressure them to close? Either way we are keeping the kids home to do our part, but should we press the daycare to close? On one hand it seems obvious they should close so they don't become a hub for spreading coronavirus, on the other hand closing has impacts on the people that work there and the other parents who send their children there so I'm not sure it's our place to push for anything.
2) I'm fine continuing to pay tuition, but it feels deeply unfair for the school to continue charging us and not pay their workers. If they say we have to keep paying tuition and make it clear they're going to pay their people as usual I think that's fine. But if they don't make that clear I'm considering pushing them to pay their people. This seems like the ethical thing for them to do but at the same time it feels like I'm volunteering other parents' money. I suppose they could waive tuition for a couple weeks and not pay their workers but that seems not as good as charging tuition and paying people who are staying home.
Obviously we are just one family and can't force the daycare to do anything, but I do feel it's important as their customers to advocate for them to do things ethically.
I don't think it's your place to push for them to close. Do they care for children of medical workers? How are the medical workers supposed to go to work if they have no child care?
Obviously, if they charge you, they should be paying their workers. Full stop.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:28 AM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
Obviously, if they charge you, they should be paying their workers. Full stop.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 8:28 AM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
We are keeping our child out of daycare, even if they remain open. But I think it is admirable that they are trying to stay open - I recognize that not everyone has the same privilege I have to work at home or take time off. Some are hourly workers, some are medical staff or other essential personnel. The issue is bigger than you and your family. Everyone has to make the best decision for their particular circumstances.
If they do close, then absolutely ask what they are doing for their staff and push for them to make it right with the staff. That is a great idea for us all.
posted by cessair at 8:45 AM on March 16, 2020
If they do close, then absolutely ask what they are doing for their staff and push for them to make it right with the staff. That is a great idea for us all.
posted by cessair at 8:45 AM on March 16, 2020
I'll just answer this from the perspective of someone on the ground with a similar business.
We have already received requests from people to freeze their payments that represents a really good chunk of our income. Payroll is a huge percentage of our costs. For every person that's asked us about our staff, we have a whack more asking how to not pay us. Note that we do want to pay our staff. We also know that when the lights come back on, so to speak, we will need some cash left in the business because the day we open our doors we will want to pay our staff but we may not have anywhere close to our current client base. Even people who usually have a need for care may be laid off by then.
The odd person urging us to pay our staff is appreciated, as we want to, if it comes with a commitment for them to pay their fees. But please don't assume that your pushing changes the bottom line.
Paying our staff a reduced rate where I live might lower their payments for (un)employment insurance so we are thinking about that right now - whether it's possible to stagger layoffs so that people get the benefit of their full salaries. This is different for every business and different for part-time and full-time workers. I've been in the phone queue for advice from the government on this since 7:30 this morning and the auto attendant says it's unlikely they will get to my call today. BTW I am in that category although because of my personal situation I've already made myself the first cut.
So basically - I would talk to them about your concerns and your desires to mitigate the impact, but I would not shame them.
posted by warriorqueen at 8:57 AM on March 16, 2020 [14 favorites]
We have already received requests from people to freeze their payments that represents a really good chunk of our income. Payroll is a huge percentage of our costs. For every person that's asked us about our staff, we have a whack more asking how to not pay us. Note that we do want to pay our staff. We also know that when the lights come back on, so to speak, we will need some cash left in the business because the day we open our doors we will want to pay our staff but we may not have anywhere close to our current client base. Even people who usually have a need for care may be laid off by then.
The odd person urging us to pay our staff is appreciated, as we want to, if it comes with a commitment for them to pay their fees. But please don't assume that your pushing changes the bottom line.
Paying our staff a reduced rate where I live might lower their payments for (un)employment insurance so we are thinking about that right now - whether it's possible to stagger layoffs so that people get the benefit of their full salaries. This is different for every business and different for part-time and full-time workers. I've been in the phone queue for advice from the government on this since 7:30 this morning and the auto attendant says it's unlikely they will get to my call today. BTW I am in that category although because of my personal situation I've already made myself the first cut.
So basically - I would talk to them about your concerns and your desires to mitigate the impact, but I would not shame them.
posted by warriorqueen at 8:57 AM on March 16, 2020 [14 favorites]
Also - the people contacting us re: paying are real people too, who are also losing work and freaked out. There is a big difference between being Walmart here, and being a local bricks and mortar operation.
posted by warriorqueen at 9:04 AM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
posted by warriorqueen at 9:04 AM on March 16, 2020 [7 favorites]
Philadelphia today ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses. Daycare centers were specifically exempted and identified as essential. We are a city of many hospitals and medical schools, so many, many medical workers need daycare.
On the other hand, the governor of PA mandated the closure of all schools, including daycare centers in several adjacent suburban counties. I don't know which approach is more appropriate, and I have an education in public health. I can see both sides of the argument. People are needed to staff doctor's offices and hospitals, and some of these people have nobody else to care for their children.
posted by citygirl at 12:10 PM on March 16, 2020
On the other hand, the governor of PA mandated the closure of all schools, including daycare centers in several adjacent suburban counties. I don't know which approach is more appropriate, and I have an education in public health. I can see both sides of the argument. People are needed to staff doctor's offices and hospitals, and some of these people have nobody else to care for their children.
posted by citygirl at 12:10 PM on March 16, 2020
Likewise, here in Washington state, daycares are among the only businesses that are staying open despite schools and almost all businesses being ordered to close.
I think it’s excellent if you volunteer to continue paying while keeping your child home, but keep in mind that other parents might not be able to afford that because they can’t work if their children are home. And if not all parents can pay, the daycare probably doesn’t have the money to pay its staff their normal wages.
posted by mbrubeck at 9:32 PM on March 16, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee announced a mandatory six-week school closure last week, part of Washington’s effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2. With libraries, community centers and other communal spaces also closed statewide, and gatherings of 50 or more prohibited, many parents have seen their options dwindle.Our public health department is providing advice for preventing virus transmission in daycares.
Amid the confusion, and while shutting down almost every other industry, Inslee announced Monday that child care facilities will remain open. “We’re keeping open pharmacies, child care and day care facilities,” Inslee said.
I think it’s excellent if you volunteer to continue paying while keeping your child home, but keep in mind that other parents might not be able to afford that because they can’t work if their children are home. And if not all parents can pay, the daycare probably doesn’t have the money to pay its staff their normal wages.
posted by mbrubeck at 9:32 PM on March 16, 2020
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posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 8:15 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]