When I read this, I think there is a possibility their dad uses work as an escape from family, as I have known many coworkers over the years who 'hid' at work.

When I read this, I think there is a possibility their dad uses work as an escape from family, as I have known many coworkers over the years who 'hid' at work. It's possible their dad doesn't want to visit them. That is not work's fault, necessarily.