Snow days/inclement weather

[Anonymous]

When our nanny started with us last year, she lived a five minute walk from us, which is a rarity as in our area, most nannies live at least 30-60 minutes away by public transportation. Our nanny knows very well that proximity was a big deal for us and reassured us that she had no intention of ever moving because the only family she has close by lived down the street. Despite this, she ended up moving just two months into her job due to problems with her landlord and now has an hour commute by public transportation. She could have gotten new housing in our area, but it is more expensive around here (hence why nannies live farther out) and she preferred the nicer accommodations she could get elsewhere. Since she lived within walking distance at the start of the job, our contract does not have an inclement weather policy. Tomorrow we are expecting a large snowstorm (we're not in the DC area) and she might not be able to get to work. I know the nice thing to do would be to give nanny a paid snow day if she is unable to get to work, but I think it is a little unfair to us. She asked for and got a $2/hr raise from us over her last job, even though she was leaving it only two months in (not her fault, family couldn't keep her) and certainly not due a raise. One reason I was willing to pay a premium was because I knew she wouldn't have commute issues. We've lost the convenience of a close by nanny, but are still paying for it. I'm not sure what to say to nanny if she ends up not being able to come to work. Should I just have her take it unpaid and explain that we budgeted for zero snow days in her benefits, and maybe offer to let her take it against her PTO?

[Anonymous]

NO You need to give her a paid snow day

[Anonymous]

Leave it up to her to take it unpaid or to use one
of her paid days. You by no means need to offer snow days, unless you also plan on staying home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leave it up to her to take it unpaid or to use one
of her paid days. You by no means need to offer snow days, unless you also plan on staying home.

This--there is absolutely no obligation here. If you choose to do it, it would certainly be a kind thing--but it can't be expected on her end.

[Anonymous]

She's been with you over a year, never even been late due to the long commute?

You had the chance to fire her after her first year. After that, you bought the long commute, too.

You don't have to, but I think 1 year+ of no problems with reliability have earned her a paid snow day. At the very least, they've earned her full pay if she has to come in late, or you picking her up at Metro. Or you paying for Uber. Or something to recognize the effort.

I would also assume it may be a couple of days before the snow is removed. Think about how you want to handle that. If she doesn't have a family, maybe she'd be willing to stay over.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I agree with the others that you are under no obligation here, if you still need her services regardless of the weather. However, I would make it clear to her TONIGHT that you expect her to arrive to work as scheduled or use PTO or take it unpaid. She may be expecting to get a free snow day (even though she has no snow plan with you, previous employers may have paid for them), so it's best that she know your intentions BEFORE the morning arrives.

However, I would encourage you to consider if you are able to afford snow day pay, in any capacity, to maintain good will with your nanny. Perhaps you could pay her half her daily wages without using her PTO? That might be a good compromise. It probably isn't worth the risk of losing your nanny over one or two snow days. But, if you don't think your nanny is amazing (and wouldn't mind getting a new one), then that's up to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's been with you over a year, never even been late due to the long commute?

You had the chance to fire her after her first year. After that, you bought the long commute, too.

You don't have to, but I think 1 year+ of no problems with reliability have earned her a paid snow day. At the very least, they've earned her full pay if she has to come in late, or you picking her up at Metro. Or you paying for Uber. Or something to recognize the effort.

I would also assume it may be a couple of days before the snow is removed. Think about how you want to handle that. If she doesn't have a family, maybe she'd be willing to stay over.

No. She hasn't been with them over a year. She started with them LAST YEAR. Maybe she started with them in November or December; doesn't sound like it's been a full 12 months yet (hence why the contract hasn't yet been updated).

I agree that offering to pick nanny up from the closest metro or bus stop, or offering to let her spend the night would be a nice gesture. Paying for an uber is over the top though.

[Anonymous]

Fuck her. She's an immigrant right? Might makes right.

[Anonymous]

What hourly rate do you pay her, OP?

[Anonymous]

OP, you are a 24k asshole.