Yesterday’s edition of the New York Times posted this article by Abby Ellin about how the economic downturn may force companies to make accomodations to working parents to avoid losses in productivity from extended materinity/paternity leaves. For some folks, apparently, it’s a win-win. They can clean junior’s bottom while keeping the bottom line in the black.

To be honest, the thought of bringing my 5 year-old Boo to the office makes me shudder. And let’s not talk about her 1.5 year old little bro, the Doodlenator. In my case, it would bring my productivity to a complete standstill - even if there was on-site daycare.

You see, I’m pretty much a work/home separator kind of personality. I don’t really dump my baggage from the office on my husband or kids and I try to keep the family intrusions at the office to a minimum. Yes, there are times that I have to finish a project at home, or handle a conference call from my couch while doling out OJ to a sick kid as she watches Sesame Street. And there are times that I need to shut my door for a parent-teacher discussion while I’m at work. But hauling my two bipedal hurricanes to the office on a regular basis? Hell-to-the-no!

I see how it could work for some folks. It would really depend on the nature of your work, the nature of your kids, and your bosses’ support of a “family friendly” work environment. I’m also a bit sensitive to my colleagues who aren’t married or don’t have kids. After all, do they need my little germ factories playing peek a boo around their desks? If I can bring my progeny to the office, why can’t they bring their four-legged kids in? To me, it just opens up a pandoa’s box.

What do you think? What’s your office policy? What would happen if they opened the flood gates and let your kids in?