“I let my employees bring their kids to work, wear what they want and make their own schedule"

A boss lets her employees bring their kids to work, make their own schedule and use the workplace space when they want.

Sierra Zagarri, 33, owns a playroom and finds she often needs to bring her children, aged six and nine, into work when no one can look after them.

She says it "made sense" for the same rules apply to her four part-time employees – and Sierra lets them bring their children into the playroom while they are on a shift.

Sierra is also passionate about letting them wear what they want so they can feel "comfortable" and lets her workers use the space outside of playroom hours for birthday parties or meetings.

Sierra, owner of Grandma’s playroom, from St Louis, Missouri, US, said: “I let my employees bring their kids to work – it’s a lifesaver.

“I try and make policies for my employees that are fair and make sense.

“I bring my kids to work so they can too.

“I don’t have a dress code - so why should they?”

Sierra took over the playroom in July 2020 after the previous owner allowed her to bring her children to the space during lockdown.

She wanted to make sure all her employees could benefit from the same concept.

Sierra said: “Bringing your kids to work is a good option.

“Half of them bring them in and we call them miniature employees.”

When the employees bring their children in, they often lower the playroom limit to around 18 - instead of 20 - as it is harder to keep and eye on everyone and your own children.

Sierra also wants her employees to be able to dress how they want.

She said: “I wear a crop top – I don’t see the issue with that.

“I don’t think the way you look affect how you do your job.

“I have employees with face piercings – it doesn’t affect the way they work.

“You need to feel comfortable.

“As long as you are dressed appropriately and can perform your duties, you can wear what you want.”

Sierra also likes to make sure her employees can use the space outside of bookings for their own personal use – such as parties or breastfeeding groups.

She said: “They can use this space whenever they need – I let my employees have birthday parties here, get togethers here.

“This space is supposed to be for everyone.”

Sierra also makes sure she sorts the shifts for each person’s schedule – letting them fill in their work availability.

She said: “I let my employees sort their own schedule.

“I take out the calendar – they write in when they want to work, and I fill in the rest.

“If you have happy, respectful employees they work hard for you.”