Redditor Asks If She's An A**hole For Making Her Employee Put Her Kids In A "Dog Cage"

"It's not the right environment for rambunctious kids."

Stephanie

• Published in Interesting
• June 6, 2023

Being a great boss is admirable and, of course, greatly appreciated by any employee who is lucky enough to work for you. But there is a fine line between being an incredible boss and being a little too lenient.

Reddit user u/throwaway11-04-2-22 recently posted a story in the AITA (Am I The A**hole?) subreddit about an experience she's having with one of her staff. The OP explained that she owns a small veterinary practice that specializes in making veterinary care as low-stress as possible for pets and their owners.

However, one of OP's employees ("Ann") has two children who often attend the office while Ann works. The OP says she probably shouldn't have allowed Ann to start bringing her kids, but she had already allowed another staff member ("Beth") to bring her child, so she didn't want to show favoritism.

The thing is, Beth's child is quiet and has never caused any trouble. But Ann's children are a different story.

The OP says Ann's parenting style involves a lot of yelling that typically doesn't accomplish anything. That's where the "cage" comes into the story.

The OP explained that she has a small, fenced-in area outside surrounded by an 8ft chain-link fence. It is typically used to perform exams on dogs that feel less anxious when they are outside.

So, after Ann's kids made a scene while there were clients in the waiting area one day, the OP told Ann that from then on, if she wanted to bring her kids to work, they would need to go and wait in the caged area whenever there were clients inside. Of course, Ann didn't take too kindly to being told to put her kids in a "cage."

She complained and argued her point, but the OP explained to Ann that it was the only option considering her children's history of bad behavior. Eventually, Ann agreed to the new rules (begrudgingly), but the OP says she is still noticeably annoyed about it.

Now the OP is wondering if she's the a**hole here, especially since she plans on still allowing Beth's child inside. Keep scrolling to see how people reacted.

The OP asked if she is an a**hole for making her employee leave her children in a "dog cage."

She explained that one of her staff has two children who often attend the office while Ann works.

The OP explained that she has a small, fenced-in area outside surrounded by an 8ft chain-link fence that is typically used to perform exams on dogs that feel less anxiety when they are outside.

So, after Ann's kids made a scene while there were clients in the waiting area one day, the OP told Ann that from then on, if she wanted to bring her kids to work, they would need to go and wait in the caged area whenever there were clients inside.

Of course, Ann didn't take too kindly to being told to put her kids in a "cage."

Ann complained and argued her point, but the OP explained to her that it was the only option considering her children's history of bad behavior.

Now the OP is wondering if she's the a**hole here, especially since she plans on still allowing Beth's child inside.

Here's how people reacted.

NTA.

"Kids do not belong at a business."

"Do not call it a cage."

Perhaps it's time for a child-free workplace.

ESH.

"It's not the right environment for rambunctious kids."

"She done ruined it for everyone."

"Tell Ann she can't bring her kids."

"It's a safety hazard."

"Very unprofessional."

"You need to establish rules."

What's your take on this situation? Do you think the OP is being unfair to Ann and her kids, or are the rules she has put in place for her business reasonable under the circumstances?

We would love to hear your opinions on this topic. You can share them with us in the comment section.

Stephanie