Reader Query: Children, Work, Best Practices

A regular reader writes: “Many of us have at one time or another brought our kids to work. Arguably, a university that aims to be inclusive of women needs to support this option. However, kids in the workplace can prove
distracting for colleagues and students. How do we appropriately
balance these concerns? I’m looking for advice on best practices with
respect to kids at work. I’m especially keen to read readers’ examples
of practices and policies that are already working well at their
universities.”

Your thoughts and suggestions requested. Thanks!

Petition to pardon Alan Turing

It’s clearly the right thing to do. But I do find it hugely problematic to focus just on him. What was done to less famous people was equally horrific and we should seek a pardon for all of them.

Here’s the text of the petition:

We ask the HM Government to grant a pardon to Alan Turing for the conviction of ‘gross indecency’. In 1952, he was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ with another man and was forced to undergo so-called ‘organo-therapy’ – chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he’d done so much to save. This remains a shame on the UK government and UK history. A pardon can go to some way to healing this damage. It may act as an apology to many of the other gay men, not as well known as Alan Turing, who were subjected to these laws.

And here’s where to go to sign. (UK citizens or residents only.)