IAS Officer's Son Plays On Her Office Desk, Internet Asks 'Is This Allowed?'

For working parents, who do not get a month off during summer vacations, it can be hard to balance child care alongside their jobs. Many parents may even be forced to take their kids to their office in the absence of school. Recently, IAS officer Pamela Satpathy shared a video that showed her young son playing in her office as she worked. In the video, her son stands on top of her massive work desk and jumps around. While sharing this clip, Satpathy wrote, “The most awaited time of the year has now become the most dreaded time of the year. SUMMER VACATION. POV: You are a Boy Mum.”

This video got over 2.8 lakh views since it was posted on April 11. While many people lauded Satpathy for balancing work life with childcare, others wondered if IAS officers are allowed to bring their kids to their offices. Many also highlighted that while high-ranking officials can bring their kids to the office, many others who have low-ranking jobs such as janitorial or clerical staff do not get the same privilege. Many working parents or single parents at low-paying jobs also can’t afford someone else to watch over their kids, whereas IAS officers can afford daycare services.

An X user harshly asked, “Shame? An IAS officer shows her dancing boy in her office. Can a subordinate officer do the same? and will this IAS officer allow them? Is this public office meant for the public or the dance floor?”

Another person wrote, “Is it allowed to take kids to the workplace like that!!! Workplace should have creches but kids are not allowed to play inside govt offices with govt staff. After all, public servants are paid with tax payers money!!! Can a low ranking lady staff will be given such privilege!!!”

Expressing a more generous sentiment, an X user wrote, “Gives immense happiness to see such posts from a bureaucrat, kudos, managing both professional and family life is never easy.

Someone urged Satpathy to take some time off and spend it with her son and wrote, “Madam, I think it’s the most memorable time for kids spending time with their parents. Don’t miss it. Time will never come back madam.”

So far Satpathy has not answered any questions or remarks about the protocol for bringing kids to the office. Neither has she mentioned if the video was taken at her home officer.