0:00:02 > 0:00:06Addison Lee is Britain's biggest minicab firm.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10A £200 million company which books 25,000 journeys a day.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Can I take the job number for the booking, please?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Where were you going, please?
0:00:17 > 0:00:19The world of taxis used to be a blokes' business.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22The cab driver comes off the road, works in the office.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25They sit around smoking and talking about football.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29But the arrival of women has put children and careers
0:00:29 > 0:00:30on a collision course.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33I don't want to be stuck in my house all day, every day.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37I don't think, just because I have a baby,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40I should be shoved into a corner or locked out of sight.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44So the company are trialling a radical American scheme...
0:00:44 > 0:00:46BABY CRIES
0:00:47 > 0:00:49..that allows babies in the office.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Like a lot of ideas at Addison, it's a bit crackers.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56We do try a lot of new things, and most work, some don't.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- Victor's sick, sorry.- Sick?
0:01:00 > 0:01:04A one-day trial caused teething troubles.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- Nyla, Mummy's going to work now, OK?- No.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And 3,500 drivers nearly went unpaid.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I'm not able to do a few things at once
0:01:12 > 0:01:16when I have a nearly two-year-old running around screaming for attention.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Now, seven parents must combine their day job...
0:01:20 > 0:01:21Oh, after all that, you don't want...
0:01:21 > 0:01:24..with being Mummy and Daddy for a whole month.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27With this experiment, I really want it to work,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30but I don't know if it's going to work.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- From the call centre... - Shellon speaking.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Can I take passenger's contact number, please?
0:01:35 > 0:01:37..to the sales team...
0:01:37 > 0:01:40You've all got 25 minutes to get that to green.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42..they must train their new recruits...
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Ta.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Ohh! All right, you're not having that.
0:01:47 > 0:01:48..and prove the doubters wrong.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Hello!- Hello!
0:01:51 > 0:01:53For one or two days, it's lovely,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57but I reckon for every day of your working day, it could never run.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02But can the taxi business and babies start a workplace revolution?
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Bounce, bounce! Yeah!
0:02:05 > 0:02:08It's nice, yeah, but it is kind of a hard-sell environment.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10I don't want it too airy fairy in here.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Or will this be one journey that all ends in tears?
0:02:15 > 0:02:19I don't...I don't think I could do this full-time.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Can I have my agenda back, please?
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Last time, Britain's busiest cab company
0:02:32 > 0:02:35allowed babies into the office for a single day.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43BABY SHOUTS AND LAUGHS
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Before welcoming the new arrivals,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50the office was baby-proofed from top to bottom.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Whilst mums and dads with babies suffered some hiccups...
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- No, no...! - OK, sorry. That way round.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- Nyla, Mummy's going to work now, OK?- No!
0:03:03 > 0:03:06..for some, it was a revelation.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08I am happy. It feels really good, to be honest,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10it feels good to be back.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13What can I say? Babies at work. Great idea.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17But toddlers caused trouble.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Do you want to come over here? Do you want to come to Mummy?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23No? I feel so bad!
0:03:23 > 0:03:26And, for one mum, one day was enough.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Let's go. I'm happy actually to go home!
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- Bye!- See you!
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Now, MD Liam has extended the trial for an entire month.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42Whilst we learnt things from the one day, the novelty factor meant
0:03:42 > 0:03:44you're not going to get a true picture of how it affects
0:03:44 > 0:03:46how people interact with these kids
0:03:46 > 0:03:49once they see them day in, day out. By doing a longer period,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53we'll get an idea of people getting more comfortable with them in that environment.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57They'll get used to doing the job. Hopefully, productivity will improve
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and we'll get a true reflection on what it would be like long-term.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Liam's head of Human Resources, Clare,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05wants it to work for her own reasons.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It's probably made me more broody.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It helps that I've got Paul's very cute daughter
0:04:12 > 0:04:16who sits just outside my office and she's gorgeous.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17It's made me more broody.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Now, everything depends on the next four weeks.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25In concept, fantastic idea.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27But if it's too chaotic and too disruptive
0:04:27 > 0:04:30then it's not something we can persevere with.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Seven parents with seven babies have agreed
0:04:37 > 0:04:40to participate in the month-long trial.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43If it succeeds, they hope Liam will agree to make it permanent.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51One parent keen to make it work is 24-year-old single mum Maria.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56She works full-time and has a 15-month-old daughter, Tanisha.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02If I could take her to work with me, it would be better for me,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06because then I could get more of a quality time with her.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11It would make me feel happier if I could see her more often.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I'll feel more involved in her life.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17I wouldn't feel like a part-time mother any more.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Maria chose to return to work after having her daughter,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22rather than relying on the state.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28It's comfortable, isn't it, to rely on benefits?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31And you have that time with your child as well,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34so if you're getting paid to stay at home with your child,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36why not? Who wouldn't, really?
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Um, but I had that drive to kind of build on my career
0:05:41 > 0:05:45and possibly build a better future for me and my daughter.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49For the next four weeks, Maria must prove that she can do her job
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and look after Tanisha at the same time.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- Hello!- Say good morning.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01I think it will make me feel more positive, because there's times
0:06:01 > 0:06:06I feel quite down at work, I'm much more quiet than I was before,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10because sometimes I think about my daughter
0:06:10 > 0:06:11and I kind of feel a bit guilty
0:06:11 > 0:06:16that she's separated from me, if you see what I mean.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18What we need to do is grab some details.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Maria works in the sales department.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24It's target-driven and highly competitive,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27which means patience will be in short supply.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30The sales team is a certain type of guy.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32The fourth floor has a reputation
0:06:32 > 0:06:34for being very boisterous.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37..do go on direct debit, then you get a 5% discount...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39They're here to sell, and they all want to be
0:06:39 > 0:06:43the best salesman out there. They all want to earn the most money.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45BABY CRIES
0:06:45 > 0:06:47All right, darling.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50You need to have your bottle. Please.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- We have to go in a minute. - BABY CRIES
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Oh, darling! I've got more accounts to open.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00The kind of job that Maria's doing here
0:07:00 > 0:07:04is very much attention to detail. It's amending people's accounts,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08making sure that the right payment details are on their profile.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Yeah, its admin work and you could say it's repetitive
0:07:11 > 0:07:13but it is important, cos, you know,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16if a customer is phoning to book a taxi
0:07:16 > 0:07:20and their details haven't been put on right and they can't get their car,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23we're not delivering what we should be delivering.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27It's Friday, the busiest day of the week for the sales department.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32For Maria, it's an early test of whether she can juggle her job
0:07:32 > 0:07:34with looking after her daughter.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37GENERAL OFFICE CHATTER
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Maria's colleagues have been winning contracts all week.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49But unless she can process them by the end of the day,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52their commission will be delayed.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56She urgently needs to concentrate, but Tanisha has other ideas.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Tanisha. Come here, darling. Come on.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Come here. There you go!
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Tanisha, come on. Let's get your nappy changed,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Let's change your nappy. OK...
0:08:20 > 0:08:24She's very lively today, but she has been a bit grumpy in the morning.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25She's very tired... Bless you.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29..and I think she's actually getting a bit of a cold, to be honest.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Ta.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Ohhh! All right, you're not having that.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39It's only Day Two, but Maria already has her doubts.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42With this experiment, I really want it to work,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but I don't know if it's going to work.
0:08:51 > 0:08:52Maria may be struggling...
0:08:54 > 0:08:59..but elsewhere in the company, the babies are starting to feel at home.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09Things are going really well today, to be honest.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I'm doing all my work and, you know,
0:09:11 > 0:09:16having Alina here is just helping me spend more time with her
0:09:16 > 0:09:18and not having to think,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21"Oh what's she doing at home?" cos I know she's right here.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Call centre agent Zahra has two daughters.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28In the one-day trial, she brought both into the office,
0:09:28 > 0:09:33but struggled to handle her two-and-a-half-year-old toddler.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Nyla's getting bored, I'm thinking maybe I'm better off
0:09:37 > 0:09:40leaving her at nursery cos she does have fun there.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44For the last two years, Zahra's been getting up for work at 4am
0:09:44 > 0:09:48so she can see her children in the afternoon.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Now, she's trying to make the scheme work
0:09:53 > 0:09:55for her 13-month-old baby, Alina.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00OK, I've got your number firstly here...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Passenger's name, please?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Yeah, it's eight zero nine zero five three.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14I think it will be a really big difference,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16not only cutting down costs,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19but also spending more time with my youngest.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21I miss spending time with her
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and I might miss her first steps or something, you know?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27At least if she's around me, I can see it and not hear it,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30"Oh, she's done this today, she's done that today."
0:10:31 > 0:10:34OK, and passenger's name please?
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Also in the call centre is mum of six, Shellon.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42What about that one, or is that too boring? Oh, no?
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Ooh, yeah, you know what that's for, don't you? Hmm?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Pumpkin. Hmm?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51I need to get over to chauffeur service...
0:10:51 > 0:10:55For the one-day trial, she came back from maternity leave
0:10:55 > 0:10:58with her five-month-old daughter Madika.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01She's met so many different people already.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03She's been passed around the office,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05she's getting to know new children.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08She's still here with me, so she feels safe.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12So I don't see any negatives for her.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17Childcare for Madika could cost Shellon hundreds of pounds a month.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22With so much money at stake, she's determined to make the trial work.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It's the 21st century. Why can't you do it?
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I mean, its very easy to make an office child-friendly.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35A cot, a chair, there's fridges in the break room.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Put their formula in there. You can't tell me it can't work.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I could make it work, I could show you it can work.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45There we go. Huh, Maddy?
0:11:49 > 0:11:54But not everyone in the call centre is keen on the scheme.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56A full-time job at Addison Lee is a full-time job.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58It's a busy, busy company.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00We need to be on the ball all the time
0:12:00 > 0:12:03otherwise things could go horribly wrong very quickly.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05It can't work, it just can't work.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Children at work. Where's the children?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Where are they? They've all disappeared, see?
0:12:11 > 0:12:13There's dummies everywhere, look.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16See health hazard, that is. Health hazard.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21That's when they're at their best.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Look at that. That is lovely.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25I'm surrounded by children.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Whoops, stand up. You haven't been paying attention
0:12:28 > 0:12:31to all this good work we've been doing
0:12:31 > 0:12:34while we've been minding our children, have you?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Yeah, I can see you taking a booking now!
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Doesn't she take up half your time?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Not at all.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42Not even now?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Not even a little bit.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Back in the sales department, it's 4pm,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51and time is running out for Maria.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53If she can't process the contracts,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56the sales team won't receive their commission,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and the whole trial could come to an early end.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01I feel very stressed out.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05I'm struggling, I'm finding it very difficult to handle Tanisha
0:13:05 > 0:13:07and my work at the same time.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Usually everything's just completed, everything's up to date,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14but Tanisha hasn't given me the time today.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18It's mad. An hour ago I should have finished.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That's how crazy it is.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Um, I'm going to get an account number for this.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27The clock is ticking and the working day is nearly over.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Everyone, have a good weekend.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I'll see you around anyway, I'll see you later.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37BABY CRIES
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Maria's colleague Paul steps into the breach,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44but Tanisha doesn't want to be apart from her mother.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Where's Mummy? Here we go.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Come here.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Come here. Yeah.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Who's that? You're not going to stay with me, are you?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Go on, are you OK? Is there anything else you need done?
0:13:58 > 0:14:00I need to set up this account.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave that to you.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07In the nick of time, another colleague comes to the rescue.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Today's been the worst day of my life.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15And it hasn't just been hard for Maria.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Obviously, I'm going to miss my train. That's the price I'm paying.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Kids, eh?
0:14:24 > 0:14:29Eventually, Maria finishes the job, but it's taken its toll.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31It just stressed me out too much today.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35There was one point I felt like crying, I felt so stressed out.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Mummy!
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I thought, "Can't I just drop her to nursery?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43"And then I can get on with this and she'll be happy there.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45"She'll be looked after."
0:14:47 > 0:14:48I don't want to do that
0:14:48 > 0:14:51but because it became so hard for me today
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I just felt like giving up at one point.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Having both worlds, having Tanisha and my work life in one,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02is kind of slipping away.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07I just didn't expect it to be this hard to do both at the same time.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Down in the call centre, there's more bad news.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18We've had a customer complaint.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21A passenger was expecting a vehicle this morning.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Important meeting, six passengers, car's not arrived.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28So what we're going to do now is listen to the call.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30'Good morning, Shellon speaking.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33'Can I take passenger's contact number please?'
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- 'Yeah.- OK, hold on.'
0:15:35 > 0:15:38BABY SCREAMING
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- It's really quite loud, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43- Hi, Shellon.- Hello!
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Shellon is called into her manager's office.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49I know, when I got in this morning,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53I did want to log in on time, so I did.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56And I was aware that for about five minutes,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59ten minutes or so, she was loud.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Is it as simple as you haven't clicked "Confirm"
0:16:01 > 0:16:03at the end of the booking?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Exactly. I took the booking correctly
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- and in my mind, the call was finished.- OK.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10So I hung up the phone and then I thought,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12"Oh, my God, let me get her quiet,"
0:16:12 > 0:16:14without realising I didn't confirm it.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17We just want to work out how to address it in the future.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20If the baby's really loud and really screaming,
0:16:20 > 0:16:24I think it would make sense for you to actually say,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27"I'm really sorry, we're doing an experiment..."
0:16:27 > 0:16:29I didn't... I wasn't sure if I could say that.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I suppose, yes, in a sense,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34that would have given the customer that information...
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- An explanation, yeah.- However, would it have changed the outcome?
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Maybe, because I was so busy trying to keep her quiet
0:16:42 > 0:16:45so that the customer wouldn't say anything,
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- where maybe if I could have said to him...- Give me some more time...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52..and then it would have took the pressure off a little bit.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Definitely.- OK. That's good.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56I feel OK.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00And I know that now I'm allowed to say to the customer,
0:17:00 > 0:17:05"I'm really sorry, baby's here and, you know, she's a bit agitated,"
0:17:05 > 0:17:08where I didn't know I was really able to say it,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11so I was trying to really, really hurry up,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15get the call over with, so I can get her quiet and take another call,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19where now I know that I've got just that little bit of leeway to explain,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22and that takes the pressure off of me.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25And, um, hopefully no more mistakes.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Thank you!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29OK, this has to go back...
0:17:29 > 0:17:30See you tomorrow!
0:17:30 > 0:17:34It's still early days in the trial, but managing director Liam
0:17:34 > 0:17:38is already assessing the parents' performance.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42We're a week into the programme now, and we've been able to see
0:17:42 > 0:17:46how that affects the different work rates of the different people.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And it's very much dependent on what job they're doing
0:17:49 > 0:17:51and what department they're in.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Some people have maintained a reasonable level of productivity.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Others really haven't.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00So I'd want to see a turn-around in some of those.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03But the up-side is there has been a lot of positivity
0:18:03 > 0:18:05around the programme as a whole.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08The loyalty and enthusiasm from the other staff
0:18:08 > 0:18:11and the morale that's come with it and the uplift in that,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13that's had significant benefits.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's 6am, and single mum Thelma
0:18:22 > 0:18:25is getting ready for her second week of the trial
0:18:25 > 0:18:28along with her three-month-old baby, Tyler.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I really enjoy being a mum.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37I feel like at least now I will never be on my own again.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I'll always have someone there.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43I'm glad that I'm able to go to work with Tyler
0:18:43 > 0:18:45cos then I could get back to work early
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and earn some money as well as have him beside me.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54OK, Tyler, we need to be quick today.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58She's so determined to make the trial work,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01she's prepared to make a two-hour commute on three buses
0:19:01 > 0:19:03to get to the office on time.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The one day trial gave call centre agent Thelma
0:19:11 > 0:19:13a glimpse of a brighter future.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15My day is going great.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19I've managed to balance motherhood as well as work
0:19:19 > 0:19:24cos it's hard being cooped up in a house with a newborn 24/7,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26so it's nice to get out and get some fresh air,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29but in this case I'm at work earning some money.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But now, she must handle over 170 calls a day,
0:19:33 > 0:19:38every day for a whole month, all whilst caring for baby Tyler.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41What day's it for?
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Sure. What's the postcode, please?
0:19:49 > 0:19:50CR5...
0:19:54 > 0:19:58It's not just mums who are keen to make the trial a success.
0:19:59 > 0:20:0242-year-old car control manager Paul
0:20:02 > 0:20:05had a recent addition to his family -
0:20:05 > 0:20:0811-month-old baby Lila.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13No-one would have been able to tell me the emotions I feel now, prior to her coming along.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Now I have her, I cherish every minute with her.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Myself and her have a great, great, great relationship.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Paul missed out on seeing his two eldest children grow up.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29This is his chance to avoid repeating history.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39It's good to be seeing her grow up, her get her little characteristics
0:20:39 > 0:20:44and her developing her character, so it's good.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Come on, then. Let's go. Hello, fella.
0:20:47 > 0:20:53As car control manager, many of Paul's meetings take place off site.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Today he's visiting an important client, along with daughter Lila.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03It's the biggest test yet of whether the scheme can work for him -
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and other senior managers.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09It's going to be interesting because they'll be thinking,
0:21:09 > 0:21:14"Can you put 100% into what we want if you're going to have a baby there?
0:21:14 > 0:21:18"Are you going to be able to, in that just one meeting,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21"ensure that they know what's going on, you're attention's not taken up."
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Come on, then. Let's go.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Are you ready, little girl?
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Paul's meeting an events management company
0:21:31 > 0:21:34who need to hire over 400 minicabs.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Hi there, how are you? Nice to see you. This is Lila.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Say hi to Emma.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43A potentially lucrative deal is at stake.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Come on. Ohhhh!
0:21:45 > 0:21:47There. There.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- That's it, you sit here, beside Dad. - Are you going to sit there?
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Like a big girl at the meeting?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56What we can do is, like I say,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59we're happy to bring people on, you know, joint flights.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Especially people going back to Heathrow, to turn round and say...
0:22:03 > 0:22:07I'm going to let you play with a banana and see what you do.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09This is going to be so messy.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13'When people say "OK, why are you bringing a baby?"'
0:22:13 > 0:22:15This is what Addison Lee do.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20And people suddenly start thinking, "Wow, that's kind of revolutionary."
0:22:20 > 0:22:21'And it becomes a snowball effect.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24'You know, people don't think about doing this.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25'But the idea's now out,'
0:22:25 > 0:22:29people will discuss it and even if they discuss it with other colleagues,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31it will get a bit of momentum.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Lovely to meet you, you have a lovely afternoon.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- Thanks ever so much for your time. - No worries, I'll speak to you soon. - Take care.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I've never had a business meeting with a baby before, but it was an experience.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48I think Paul was pretty good, he handled the situation very well.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50I'm not sure everyone would handle it quite as well
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and if everybody's allowed to take a child to work,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56not everyone would deal with it in the same way.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00It don't look right, does it?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04He's got his whistle and flute on and his baby. It don't look right.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11He's got it hooked over his arm and he's carrying it like it's a rugby ball or something.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Whilst you'd have thought the management team would be
0:23:14 > 0:23:18the last place it should have worked, it's proving one of the easier,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20because they are a bit more flexible.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24It's the ones that have got work to do where they need to sit for longer periods
0:23:24 > 0:23:29that are the ones that are struggling to get the continuity to be productive.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Any reference for the booking, Meg?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38The company's name, please.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Come on, whining baby.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44In the call centre, the pressure is relentless.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49The team handle 25,000 calls a day, every day -
0:23:49 > 0:23:52and Thelma is starting to feel the strain.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Today, I'm not really achieving my target because Tyler's teething,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01so it's making him quite miserable and...
0:24:01 > 0:24:05yeah...he's just been in a grumpy mood all day.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08He seems...he's been quite restless,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11he can't seem to drop off to sleep without me rocking him
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and even when I do, he's up within about five, ten minutes.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The most he's slept today has been about 15 minutes,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22so, yeah, it hasn't been that much of a great day.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27Good afternoon. You're through to Zara. Can I take your phone number, please?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31But Zara's learning to make the most of her moments of peace.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Alina's actually been sleeping for an hour and 15 minutes now,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38which is really good,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40so I'm getting a lot done.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42I'm doing as many calls as I can
0:24:42 > 0:24:46because I know, when she wakes up, I won't be taking as many calls.
0:24:46 > 0:24:53OK, and for the third booking, what time is it for?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And for one of the mums, with last week's error a distant memory,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59today is like any other day at the office.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I am in a routine now.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Um...I'm prepared mentally, physically,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07everything I need,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11and...today is not extremely busy, which always helps.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16And she's in a good mood...um... and, yeah, so today's a good day.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18GURGLING
0:25:18 > 0:25:22That's all done. All four bookings for you confirmed and booked.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25We pulled together some statistics for the girls.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28The one person that is actually performing
0:25:28 > 0:25:31just like another agent is Shellon.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35She is reaching her target every day.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38OK, all done, thanks, bye-bye.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42And in fact exceeded that target, um, which is a struggle for
0:25:42 > 0:25:45some of our full-time non-mum agents, so that's pretty impressive.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47She is an experienced mum.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Her personality is that she's very, very focused
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and she really wants this to work.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01But, for the other call centre mums, the situation is less clear cut.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Do you want to get down?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06The one thing I would say with Zara,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10her adherence, so the amount of time she was logged on for her shift,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14was around about 70%, versus a target of 85%.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18Um, the last week, I have noticed that drop.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21She's averaging out about 50%.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I think a lot of that is to do with how far her daughter's come on.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Where are you going?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29So she was sat in the buggy sleeping a lot more,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33really quiet, whereas now she wants to be up and about.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35You know, she's more active.
0:26:35 > 0:26:41So I think in Zara's case we, moving forward, if this was to continue,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44we'd probably need to look to adjust her target.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46I'll get them to give you a call right now.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49That'll be great, yeah.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Moving on to Thelma, she is consistently
0:26:53 > 0:26:58only logging on for 50% of her shift, so the target is 85.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02So we would definitely need to reduce Thelma's,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04probably lower than Zara's, to be fair.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06And we would need to monitor it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Thelma's a new mum, so I don't know whether that is having an impact,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13cos the other mums, it's not their first child.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18Look what I've got, pudding. Oooooh!
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Ooh, monkey.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28We benefit from having these mums in the business. If we didn't have this scheme, they wouldn't be here.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Good afternoon, Shellon speaking. Can I take passenger's contact number, please?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34BABY GRIZZLES
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Meanwhile, sales administrator Maria is on the verge of pulling out.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47So far, she's struggled to combine her role with looking after daughter Tanisha.
0:27:49 > 0:27:56Today she's meeting with head of HR Clare and sales manager Tyrone to see if they can find a solution.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Just wanted to have a catch-up to make sure everything's going OK.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02You can be as honest as you like.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05It was a real nightmare, to be honest, last Friday.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09We were so busy with e-mails, accounts coming in,
0:28:09 > 0:28:15it was very difficult to complete my work and look after Tanisha at the same time, she was very unsettled.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20But how are you finding it generally? What are your thoughts at the moment about it?
0:28:20 > 0:28:25I'm kind of questioning whether I could do this permanently.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28If she's distracting me from my work, I'm just wondering,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31does that make me a bad employee?
0:28:31 > 0:28:33You know, I don't want to be seen...
0:28:33 > 0:28:39I don't want Tyrone to think or my other colleagues to think that I'm slacking with my work.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42This is a trial, but we understand the parents maybe aren't
0:28:42 > 0:28:45going to be firing on all cylinders in that period,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47but we're willing to be flexible with that.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51I think Maria needs that reassurance that, you know,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54that she's not going to have a cross next to her name
0:28:54 > 0:28:57because of this period that she's had Tanisha in
0:28:57 > 0:29:00that she maybe hasn't done as much as she usually does.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04You don't need to feel worried or stressed out about this in any way.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08- That's...yes, that's reassured me actually. Thank you!- Good.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12I didn't want them to think I was taking advantage of the experiment
0:29:12 > 0:29:15and just spending time with Tanisha, instead of doing my work.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18I can see they fully understand the situation.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21So, yeah, I feel much better now.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24I'm really glad Maria spoke to me about some of her concerns
0:29:24 > 0:29:27cos I think during this time of a trial
0:29:27 > 0:29:30we need to know the truth, we need to know exactly
0:29:30 > 0:29:34what they're thinking, if they're stressed out, happy, sad, if they're finding it too much,
0:29:34 > 0:29:39so I would rather the mums and dads come and speak to us so then we can make adjustments.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43CHILDREN SHOUT AND LAUGH
0:29:43 > 0:29:47MAN LAUGHS You're not supposed to do that.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Mike is the second dad taking part in the trial.
0:29:50 > 0:29:57As a senior manager, work means time is limited with his 15-month-old daughter, Remi.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02You hear a lot about working mothers and if you think about working fathers,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05I leave home in the morning somewhere about seven
0:30:05 > 0:30:08and get home at a pretty similar time
0:30:08 > 0:30:11so it's quite a big chunk of the day gone.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15This looks nice in here.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19- Who made the curtains then?- I did.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20Did you?
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Mike and his wife adopted Remi along with two older children,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30and it's important for him to be involved in their upbringing.
0:30:30 > 0:30:36I think having both parents involved is going to be really quite fundamental to their development,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39so definitely they need exposure to me,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and I think when we agreed to take the children on
0:30:42 > 0:30:46we wanted to give them a proper upbringing and proper parenting.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48It wasn't a case of just making do.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52We really wanted them to develop and grow with us really.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58It's approaching the halfway point of the trial
0:30:58 > 0:31:00and today is the management meeting.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Morning, everyone.
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Morning.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10It's the most important meeting of the month.
0:31:10 > 0:31:15And, for the first time, MD, Liam, is letting two babies attend.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Did you make daddy a bit late, Remi?
0:31:18 > 0:31:21LAUGHTER
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Hello!
0:31:22 > 0:31:26We're obviously having a management meeting with a difference.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Obviously we won't be disrupted at all and we'll just ignore them.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32We're going to start off with some serious bits.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35We've changed the IVR system now, haven't we?
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Yes, the IVR has been changed, lots of work been done. Thanks to Mike as well for his help.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42We've got some new music coming as well, which Liam's picked.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Like a lot of ideas at Addison Lee, it's a bit crackers.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49We do try a lot of new things and most work, some don't.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Childcare is a constant battle for people.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55From a purely commercial point of view,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58I think this pilot is certainly worthwhile.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00I've worked for a range of organisations
0:32:00 > 0:32:03and some have been really positive and helpful
0:32:03 > 0:32:06and concerned about family life,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09and others have not been interested at all.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13With a more balanced view, I feel that I was more productive,
0:32:13 > 0:32:17certainly more committed to the organisation,
0:32:17 > 0:32:22and I feel that the organisation got a great deal more out of me.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Can I have my agenda back, please? Is that all right? Can I have that?
0:32:26 > 0:32:27Thank you!
0:32:29 > 0:32:32The babies aren't just lightening the mood,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37they're beginning to convince Liam that they could bring benefits.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I think commercially longer term we're building loyalty,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42we're building better productivity for that person,
0:32:42 > 0:32:47and from an attitude towards people that we can attract to us as a business,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50because we do try these things, I think that would have its rewards.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Ladies and gents, you should all be now on the spare cluster.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02It's 12.30 on Thursday, and disaster strikes in the call centre.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09We have a system outage, we can't take bookings.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12You're all working. Why have you got...?
0:33:13 > 0:33:18The call centre computers have gone down without warning.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21There's an average of 2,000 calls an hour
0:33:21 > 0:33:25and everything must now be done by hand.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29..Pre-booked for later.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Suddenly two of the mums are facing their biggest challenge.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Shellon's shift begins in the middle of the panic.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Every call centre's worst nightmare, when the system goes down.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55OK, let's rock'n'roll. Good morning, Shellon speaking,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59can I take passenger's contact telephone number, please?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Where are we going to be picking up from?
0:34:05 > 0:34:10We've got 38 account calls waiting, 15 cash customers,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13and we've got everyone on the phones taking calls.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17There is a hub of activity now and no manager is sat down.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Everyone's on the floor, making sure agents take bookings manually,
0:34:20 > 0:34:22and those are passed to our controllers.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Thank you very much.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Sorry, we're having a bit of a system glitch.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I do apologise that you had to hold. When would you like your car?
0:34:35 > 0:34:41For Zara, along with daughter Alina, it's also a critical moment.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43All the babies must be on their best behaviour.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48Good morning, Shellon speaking.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Can I take passenger's contact number, please?
0:34:52 > 0:34:57Finally, after five tense minutes, computer power is restored.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Back to normal now, all good.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03We've got the queue down to just seven calls waiting on accounts
0:35:03 > 0:35:08so we've got everyone on the floor logged on, even team managers.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- So yeah, that was pretty busy, wasn't it?- It was.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15It hasn't happened for a long while. It was out for five minutes, but it's amazing the impact it has.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- Definitely.- It's all good now.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Both mothers and babies have passed this test with flying colours.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Thank you. There you go.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27The mums were really good, they carried on as normal, just got on with it.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29They were excellent, Shellon in particular.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Shellon the multitasker! Baby, bookings, manual docking.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Well done, yeah? Good work.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Disaster averted!
0:35:46 > 0:35:50This has been the first time since I brought her in
0:35:50 > 0:35:53that the system has crashed, so to speak,
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and we've had to quickly get back on top of things.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02I feel that I responded exactly as I would if I didn't have her here.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Once I'm aware of the situation, I know what I need to do.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10I know what I'm up against and the best thing is to get it done
0:36:10 > 0:36:13because having a baby will make it ten times harder
0:36:13 > 0:36:19so it's best to just focus, do your best, and knock it out.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27The next day, Liam visits the call centre.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30The benefits for the business are becoming clearer,
0:36:30 > 0:36:34but he wants to find out the parents' perspective.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36How have you found it generally?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- I haven't had a chance to catch up. How have you found it?- I'm loving it.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- Are you?- I am. Me personally, I am absolutely loving it.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47You wouldn't know you've got a baby here - your figures are the same and you've just got on with it.
0:36:47 > 0:36:52That's my goal, to have as minimal disruption as possible.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56- And what about her? How is she?- You know what? I think she's doing OK.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59We are getting some good positive feedback.
0:36:59 > 0:37:06There are still a few kinks in there, but if I could, I would.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Yeah. Well I think you're a good example. Thanks, Shellon.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13- Hello.- Hiya!
0:37:13 > 0:37:18This has helped me out a lot. I get to spend time with Alina more.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22- Yes. Saved you a bit of money? - Yeah, I have saved, yeah.- How much?
0:37:22 > 0:37:28£200 this month. Yeah, this has actually benefited me a lot.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33That's good. You all right, Thelma? He seems like really easy work.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- I wish!- How has he been?
0:37:36 > 0:37:40He's been great. At the minute he's just been at home with me
0:37:40 > 0:37:44because I just went on maternity leave about three months ago.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49- So this is you coming back off maternity leave with him? - That's correct, yes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51I've been here for four years with the company
0:37:51 > 0:37:55and I would hate to not be able to come back and sort of lose my position
0:37:55 > 0:37:58because obviously I haven't been able to find childcare for him
0:37:58 > 0:38:02so it's been great getting out of the house and I can come to work,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04do work, and I enjoy working here.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Good to hear it's working. Good.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20The baby revolution has even hit the sales floor.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Two weeks ago, sales manager Tyrone had his doubts.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31And, after Tanisha's tantrum, Maria nearly left the trial.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Now the situation is transformed.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37Good girl!
0:38:39 > 0:38:43She seems like a different child today.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47Last week she was really ill, so she wasn't in the best of moods.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51She was very unsettled, but today she's running around everyone,
0:38:51 > 0:38:54saying hello, interacting with them.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58It's given me time to get on with my work,
0:38:58 > 0:39:02and she's been very happy throughout the day as well.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Yeah, it's been good today. It changes the vibe slightly when she comes in,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12and some of the guys are commenting this morning that they like the vibe in here as well.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14It mellows things down a little bit.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17She is like a little mini member of the team, you know?
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Everyone has their little moments with her.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24HE SINGS
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Obviously I don't want it too airy fairy in here,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33but...it's nice, the little change is nice.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Hello!- Hello!
0:39:38 > 0:39:43For the scheme to be made permanent, it has to have the support of the majority of staff
0:39:43 > 0:39:48and some of the sceptics are changing their minds.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51In general, I love having her here.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It has been good, good fun. Long may it continue.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58And if you'd seen me at the beginning, I wouldn't have said that
0:39:58 > 0:40:00so it's been a shift in attitude.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03What are you doing?
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Are you ready? Wooooooh!
0:40:10 > 0:40:12'The first day, I didn't like it at all.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17'I didn't see any kind of reason or need to have children in the office,'
0:40:17 > 0:40:22but now, yeah, I can see it is definitely viable. It can work without a doubt.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26The positives outweigh the negatives, definitely. I think everyone is getting enough done
0:40:26 > 0:40:31and obviously the parents are getting what they want, and that is to raise their children.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35For the company, it's a triumph of teamwork,
0:40:35 > 0:40:41whilst Maria is fulfilling her wish of seeing much more of her daughter.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44She's really been interacting with all my work colleagues today
0:40:44 > 0:40:47so that's given me time to do what I need to do
0:40:47 > 0:40:52so I feel more positive today about the experiment and how well it's going,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56but I think it has taken Tanisha about three weeks
0:40:56 > 0:40:59to kind of get used to everybody in the office.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04Can you take that home and do some work?
0:41:07 > 0:41:11In the accounts department, the scheme is facing the toddler test.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Monica is working alongside her 22-month-old daughter, Natasha...
0:41:19 > 0:41:21..the oldest child taking part.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Going to open it? Shall we read it?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I would love to have another child,
0:41:27 > 0:41:30but at the moment, financially, I can't see it working out.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34I want Natasha to have brothers and sisters.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I want to continue to build my family.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40If this was to work out, of course it would save us money
0:41:40 > 0:41:44so yeah, it would push our decision to have a child earlier.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49In the one-day trial, having Natasha around
0:41:49 > 0:41:53almost prevented Monica from ensuring all the drivers were paid.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59I thought I was a good multitasker but I'm not able to do a few things.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It's a lot harder with Natasha being here.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05I'm not able to be as efficient in my job as I normally am.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Hello? Who is it?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Three weeks into the one-month trial,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14another day hasn't got off to a good start.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I've been here since eight
0:42:22 > 0:42:25and basically been at my desk for all of five minutes.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27She just won't let me sit down today.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30You see what happens? See what happens?
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Quickly.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39So, yeah, I don't know what's wrong with her today.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41SCREAMING
0:42:41 > 0:42:43She doesn't want to do anything.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Not the greatest day to have her in. A bit anxious about
0:42:56 > 0:43:00the amount of work we've got because we've got to call people off our field today
0:43:00 > 0:43:02and plus Monica's not done...
0:43:02 > 0:43:08I'm not slagging her off but she hasn't done anything for two hours because of Natasha.
0:43:12 > 0:43:18At 22 months, Natasha needs more stimulation and more attention.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Monica's hopes of the trial working and expanding her family are fading.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35Actually I feel quite bad for her because she's not really telling me what she wants to do.
0:43:35 > 0:43:36She's not doing anything.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40I just think everyone's looking at me thinking she can't handle her.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45And they all keep coming up to me saying, "Oh, she's not that bad, she's not that bad,"
0:43:45 > 0:43:50but in terms of how she normally is, she is that bad today.
0:43:50 > 0:43:51And, um...
0:43:53 > 0:43:56I don't think I could do this full time.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01I think it's just got to the point where everyone can see she's in distress
0:44:01 > 0:44:05and it's not fair that I should keep her here like that,
0:44:05 > 0:44:08especially because I know all she wants to do is go home.
0:44:08 > 0:44:16I don't think it's fair that I should bring Natasha back in tomorrow.
0:44:17 > 0:44:22At any point, the parents have the option to leave the office with their children,
0:44:22 > 0:44:29and at 4pm, Monica does what any parent would do and takes Natasha home an hour early.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Sorry, see you guys later.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38With Natasha being returned to nursery,
0:44:38 > 0:44:43Monica's hope is that the trial succeeds and she might benefit in the future.
0:44:45 > 0:44:50My niggle, I guess, regarding the older children, is based on
0:44:50 > 0:44:52what I've observed so far,
0:44:52 > 0:44:55is the older kids are more mobile for a start
0:44:55 > 0:44:59so they're running around and the parent is having to watch them
0:44:59 > 0:45:02or their co-workers are having to watch them so they don't run out of the door.
0:45:02 > 0:45:07That is where I think my issue or my worry comes from with the older kids really.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12As the last week of the trial approaches, decision day looms large.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15Managing director Liam will make the final call
0:45:15 > 0:45:20about whether to make the Babies At Work scheme permanent.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23I will give you a form now. Can you fill that out for me?
0:45:23 > 0:45:26- It's about the Babies At Work trial. - OK.- And what you thought.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29- OK.- Thank you.
0:45:29 > 0:45:36First, head of HR, Clare, and Liam's PA, Vicky, canvass the company's 300 daytime staff.
0:45:36 > 0:45:41Without a majority in favour, the company's babies will have to leave.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46This is just a little straw poll - what is the general feeling?
0:45:46 > 0:45:50- General ideas, general vibe.- I liked it. I enjoyed it, I loved it.
0:45:50 > 0:45:56- You know, screaming babies I don't want.- Sheila, I can't really say...
0:45:56 > 0:46:00I can't really say, "Yours screams, you can't bring them in!"
0:46:00 > 0:46:02With the staff surveys in,
0:46:02 > 0:46:05the fate of the scheme is one step closer to being sealed.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09I think people have got involved in it, people who thought they'd have no interest in it
0:46:09 > 0:46:13have got involved in it and have got an opinion on it,
0:46:13 > 0:46:16and a lot of people's opinions might have changed as well.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Some people thought it was a ridiculous idea at first and now think it's really good.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22- There you go.- Thank you.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35Britain's first-ever Babies At Work trial is nearing its end.
0:46:35 > 0:46:40- Come here and give me five.- No.- No?!
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Seven small babies have made a huge impact.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51And, as decision day approaches,
0:46:51 > 0:46:54even the fiercest critics are thinking twice.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00When the car is on its way, you're going to get a text message to your phone.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02Oh!
0:47:04 > 0:47:07OK, I know on trial day you came over to me
0:47:07 > 0:47:11and you basically said, "This is going to be a disaster."
0:47:11 > 0:47:15OK, give me, honestly, your opinion.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18I think it's been positive, I really do think it's been positive.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20I was very, very concerned
0:47:20 > 0:47:24and it seems to have been a very positive thing for the children,
0:47:24 > 0:47:25- positive for the mothers.- Yes.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29I don't think it's been as bad as I ever dreamt it would be.
0:47:29 > 0:47:30And it has been great fun really.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34Even I love children, everyone loves children. It's been good.
0:47:34 > 0:47:41- The nursery is £943 a month for her. - £943?- And 45 pence!
0:47:41 > 0:47:44I hope it does work for everyone, I really do
0:47:44 > 0:47:48because if it does make a significant saving, like you say, that's great.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50That's really huge.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53And you know what, money aside, I'm not missing anything.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55She's here with me.
0:47:55 > 0:48:00I don't have to be running off on my breaks, "How is she today? Is she OK today?"
0:48:02 > 0:48:07Come on then. You've been in here all day, all morning. Yeah!
0:48:10 > 0:48:12After a month of babies in the office,
0:48:12 > 0:48:15today is the final day of the trial.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21Nobody knows if they will see them again.
0:48:22 > 0:48:27Hello, Tanisha. It's your last day today and we are going to miss you.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Oh, yes, doggie, we'll miss Tanisha lots.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32I think I might cry when she goes.
0:48:32 > 0:48:34After a sticky start, Tanisha has proved
0:48:34 > 0:48:38a hit in the sales department. The team are meeting their targets
0:48:38 > 0:48:43and mother and daughter are bonding more closely.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46I think I've got to know her a little bit more,
0:48:46 > 0:48:48which sounds a bit wrong
0:48:48 > 0:48:52because I'm her mother, I should know everything about Tanisha,
0:48:52 > 0:48:55but I don't really spend
0:48:55 > 0:48:57that much time with her in reality.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01She's at nursery all day, I just bring her home for dinner time,
0:49:01 > 0:49:03bath time and sleep time, really.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06I don't get that good quality play time, do we?
0:49:06 > 0:49:11No. So it's been great. Yum-yum!
0:49:14 > 0:49:16Hi, girls.
0:49:16 > 0:49:23Head of HR, Clare, is more convinced than ever the scheme should be made permanent.
0:49:23 > 0:49:24It just seems normal to me now.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28Yeah, that just seems the norm, to have a little baby there.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31It just seems what you do. It's no problem.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35They can sleep there, they are fine. No problems.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38Especially at this age, I think it's really easy.
0:49:38 > 0:49:43It's going to be really sad actually for them not to be around, really.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47Come here. Hello!
0:49:47 > 0:49:51Aw, you're so cute!
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Get him on the phones next.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57Are you laughing? Get you on the phones?
0:49:57 > 0:50:00Yeah. Yeah.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04For Shellon, the trial has been a lifeline.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07They've actually given us the executive toilet
0:50:07 > 0:50:09and made it baby friendly.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15When I applied for the job, I knew it was reputable.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18This makes me know that I've definitely made the right decision.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21And to be honest, I won't be going anywhere,
0:50:21 > 0:50:24not for the foreseeable future, unless I get the sack,
0:50:24 > 0:50:30which I have no intention of doing. I will be here until retirement.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34This day and age, you need all that you can get
0:50:34 > 0:50:37because this might not be cash from them
0:50:37 > 0:50:39but it's an equivalent to
0:50:39 > 0:50:42because the amount that I'm saving
0:50:42 > 0:50:48in childcare alone makes a huge difference.
0:50:48 > 0:50:52So, thank you, Addison Lee, much appreciated.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56That's the end of our day. See you!
0:51:03 > 0:51:07And it's not just the parents the trial has affected.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11I'm going to miss you. Say "Bye, Vicky, bye, Alicia."
0:51:15 > 0:51:20I'm upset, I'm really upset. I'm going to miss them a lot.
0:51:20 > 0:51:26Bye-bye! I think it's brought everyone closer, not just the mums and babies.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29It brought everyone - the agents, the managers here,
0:51:29 > 0:51:34and everyone just got so involved in everything, it was really nice.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37It's a really good experience.
0:51:43 > 0:51:44In the last month,
0:51:44 > 0:51:49one taxi cab firm has gone where no British company has gone before.
0:51:51 > 0:51:55With the trial over, the babies have left the office
0:51:55 > 0:51:57and life has returned to normal.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04Shellon and Thelma are back to being mums at home.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07- Have a kiss.- Aw!
0:52:07 > 0:52:09Let go, let go.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Maria comes to work without Tanisha.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19And Paul drops baby Lila off at nursery before work.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24- LILA CRIES - Sweetie pie.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26See you later.
0:52:26 > 0:52:30Daddy's coming back, he's coming back.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33Can I have the account number, please?
0:52:33 > 0:52:37Now, managing director Liam must make a decision.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Will his company become the first in Britain
0:52:40 > 0:52:43to run a permanent Babies At Work scheme?
0:52:45 > 0:52:48Vicki, Jane and I have done the research you asked us to do.
0:52:48 > 0:52:50What was the feedback?
0:52:50 > 0:52:52What was the reaction from the survey?
0:52:52 > 0:52:55We did a very quick traffic-light form. 116 people were amber
0:52:55 > 0:52:58and said they didn't mind either way.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00We had 24 red, saying no,
0:53:00 > 0:53:02they definitely don't think they want to do it.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06But then, we had 76 green saying 100%, please, can we do it.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10And, actually, a lot of the reds came from the Finance Department.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12- Right.- Where Monica was based.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14And Monica's little girl was that little bit older
0:53:14 > 0:53:18- and Finance is a quieter floor. - Yeah.- Compared to this.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20I would've thought you'd have had a few more greens, to be honest.
0:53:20 > 0:53:24The issue with toddlers has thrown up an additional option.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27If we do put a nursery in place, I know, you know, Monica
0:53:27 > 0:53:30and Maria have both said to me that it would be life-changing for them.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32But they've struggled having them at the desk.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34Yeah, because they're a bit too old.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36So they're the age now, both over one,
0:53:36 > 0:53:39that they'd be down in the nursery and they've both said,
0:53:39 > 0:53:41if we had a nursery, it would be amazing.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44But they don't feel that, if we continue the babies at work
0:53:44 > 0:53:47for any age, it would work for them cos they're too old.
0:53:47 > 0:53:48This is the serious bit.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Decisions that we do make now, people are going to make
0:53:51 > 0:53:53longer-term, life decisions about
0:53:53 > 0:53:55whether they do or don't have kids, what they do.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57So we've got to be 100% sure from this point forwards
0:53:57 > 0:54:01that whatever we decide, we're prepared to honour, stick to,
0:54:01 > 0:54:02and it has got to work for us.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09It's been a month since the babies left the company
0:54:09 > 0:54:13and, after much deliberation, it's the moment of truth.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15For everyone involved,
0:54:15 > 0:54:18it's a decision that will have a profound impact
0:54:18 > 0:54:21on the way they live, work and parent.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26I am feeling a bit, you know, what's going to happen?
0:54:26 > 0:54:28If they did decide that, then
0:54:28 > 0:54:30me and Peter would definitely consider,
0:54:30 > 0:54:31you know, maybe having another child.
0:54:31 > 0:54:36If they come back and say it's not going to be done, sorry,
0:54:36 > 0:54:40you know, too chaotic, then I will be very disappointed.
0:54:40 > 0:54:45If they go ahead with it, that'll be great because I've got myself into a routine, I come into work
0:54:45 > 0:54:47and, all of a sudden, I'm not doing it any more,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49so... I don't know, I feel a bit lost.
0:54:49 > 0:54:53If we're going to do this, then it's a really massive, massive decision.
0:54:53 > 0:54:54I think it's a bigger decision
0:54:54 > 0:54:56than I initially thought it was going to be.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59You know, it's changing the whole culture of the company.
0:54:59 > 0:55:03Liam gathers everyone together to make the announcement.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04Afternoon, everybody.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06ALL: Afternoon.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08Thank you, everyone.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10It's been an interesting experiment, you know,
0:55:10 > 0:55:12it's not been without its challenges.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15It's had its highs and its lows and, you know, we've had to adapt
0:55:15 > 0:55:17and we've had to work our way through this.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20We appreciate that whatever we decide today,
0:55:20 > 0:55:22will affect people's lives for the future,
0:55:22 > 0:55:25will affect people deciding to have families.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28So it's not a decision that we've taken lightly.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31And the decision is...
0:55:34 > 0:55:36..that we WILL be allowing babies at work.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:55:38 > 0:55:40And there's more good news for the parents.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46We have also decided to introduce a nursery as well.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Basically, we think the idea should be that the babies up to a year,
0:55:52 > 0:55:56until they become mobile, will be at the desks and in the workplace.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59And, after that, then we'll put them down into the nurseries.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02EXCITED CHATTER
0:56:02 > 0:56:04So, you know, the hope is that, as we grow old
0:56:04 > 0:56:08and we're looking at grandchildren, that this will be commonplace.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11So thanks again, and look forward to seeing your babies back at work.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:56:17 > 0:56:22Wow, I am ecstatic. I think it's a great idea,
0:56:22 > 0:56:26I'm still in shock, I can't believe he decided to go ahead with it.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29I am so happy with the announcement.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Basically, for the next two-and-a-half years,
0:56:33 > 0:56:36I have no childcare issues at all.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39- Thanks ever so much. It should be good.- It will be good.
0:56:39 > 0:56:43Being able to bring Lila here to work with me by my desk,
0:56:43 > 0:56:47that's going to have a profound impact on mine and her relationship.
0:56:47 > 0:56:50I know, certainly, a few people on our floor
0:56:50 > 0:56:53would be up for bringing their babies in. I certainly would.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55We didn't really think it would work initially.
0:56:55 > 0:56:56Woo-doo-be-do!
0:56:56 > 0:56:58- We miss Tanisha, actually. - We do.- We miss her.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01- Maybe time for another? - It'll definitely push our decision!
0:57:01 > 0:57:06It'll definitely push our decision, Clare, honestly.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09There are many components to having staff.
0:57:09 > 0:57:12There's what you pay them, there's what you get out of them.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15And it's that productivity that you want to try and strive to create,
0:57:15 > 0:57:18not over, like, one year or six months.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20It's expensive to recruit so, therefore,
0:57:20 > 0:57:23if we can keep somebody here for ten years,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26the idea that they had six months to look after a child, you know,
0:57:26 > 0:57:29that pays for itself ten times over.
0:57:29 > 0:57:33They've proved this scheme can work in Britain,
0:57:33 > 0:57:36but will other companies follow in the footsteps
0:57:36 > 0:57:38of Addison Lee's babies?
0:57:39 > 0:57:41We know, from our experience,
0:57:41 > 0:57:43that setting up an on-site nursery
0:57:43 > 0:57:46was a radical idea in its time.
0:57:46 > 0:57:49But it just shows, in terms of the benefits for the employees,
0:57:49 > 0:57:51how it soon becomes an accepted way of working.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55Whilst new ideas, like bringing your baby to work, seem radical,
0:57:55 > 0:57:57who knows what the future will bring,
0:57:57 > 0:58:00in terms of that becoming an accepted working practice.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03I feel really proud of where we've come to.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06I feel really proud that we have taken this on board,
0:58:06 > 0:58:09we've given it a go, we've trialled it, it's worked.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12I feel really proud that we're going to be the first company doing this.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16I almost think, a lot of companies, how can you not?
0:58:16 > 0:58:19If we can do it, you know, I don't understand really
0:58:19 > 0:58:23why a lot of companies can't adopt it in some way, shape or form.
0:58:36 > 0:58:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd