Nanny needs surgery

[Anonymous]

Our nanny needs a fairly major surgery that requires a 4-6 week recovery.

Has anyone else been in this situation? How have you handled it?

[Anonymous]

Yes happened to me but it was emergency surgery and unplanned. Our nanny was out for 7 weeks. We let her exhaust her annual sick and vacation pay (advanced it to her) and she took the rest unpaid. My spouse’s company provided backup care free of charge for one week through their employee assistance program and then we cobbled together childcare from grandparents, neighborhood babysitters, etc. You might be able to find a nanny in between jobs to fill in! Another idea is to ask your nanny to suggest a replacement. She probably knows other nannies looking for work.

[Anonymous]

That actually happened to me before. Had a major surgery had to be out for 3 weeks. Family pretended they were concerned and missed me so much even sent flowers and cards. Had me come back to work only to be finalizing a contract that week with the nanny that was supposed to be “temporary”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That actually happened to me before. Had a major surgery had to be out for 3 weeks. Family pretended they were concerned and missed me so much even sent flowers and cards. Had me come back to work only to be finalizing a contract that week with the nanny that was supposed to be “temporary”

You are “family” until you’re an inconvenience. Then you’re disposable. Sorry that happened to you.

[Anonymous]

Are you in DC? Have her apply for DCPFL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you in DC? Have her apply for DCPFL.

We are in DC, she does not live in DC. Does she still qualify?

[Anonymous]

Sorry the nanny needs surgery! And recoveries always take more time than doctors initially say, so aim for 7-8 weeks, op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you in DC? Have her apply for DCPFL.

We are in DC, she does not live in DC. Does she still qualify?

If you have been paying her legally as an employee, yes.

[Anonymous]

Nanny agencies can do temporary placements.

[Anonymous]

Nanny used her all of her sick and vacation leave first, then went on short term disability. It was challenging to juggle our schedules but it was important that she have the surgery without delay. We would never have considered replacing her.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully you pay her above the table and she has ST disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes happened to me but it was emergency surgery and unplanned. Our nanny was out for 7 weeks. We let her exhaust her annual sick and vacation pay (advanced it to her) and she took the rest unpaid. My spouse’s company provided backup care free of charge for one week through their employee assistance program and then we cobbled together childcare from grandparents, neighborhood babysitters, etc. You might be able to find a nanny in between jobs to fill in! Another idea is to ask your nanny to suggest a replacement. She probably knows other nannies looking for work.

I think what op is concerned about is dues she have to pay the nanny while she’s out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes happened to me but it was emergency surgery and unplanned. Our nanny was out for 7 weeks. We let her exhaust her annual sick and vacation pay (advanced it to her) and she took the rest unpaid. My spouse’s company provided backup care free of charge for one week through their employee assistance program and then we cobbled together childcare from grandparents, neighborhood babysitters, etc. You might be able to find a nanny in between jobs to fill in! Another idea is to ask your nanny to suggest a replacement. She probably knows other nannies looking for work.

I think what op is concerned about is dues she have to pay the nanny while she’s out.

NP here
Really? I thought OP was looking for ideas on where to find a short term sub.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the input, especially about DC leave! We’ll look into it. We do pay her on the books. She gets 3 weeks vacation and 10 days sick leave, none of which she has used this year. I imagine this is stressful for her and we want to be supportive while also maintaining appropriate boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the input, especially about DC leave! We’ll look into it. We do pay her on the books. She gets 3 weeks vacation and 10 days sick leave, none of which she has used this year. I imagine this is stressful for her and we want to be supportive while also maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Our nanny didn't want to use all her vacation so she went on ST disability sooner and took the hit to her pay. That was more inconvenient to us than having her use up her leave but she has been with us for a while so we compromised.