Nanny of many years mentioned last week shes doing a girls trip for 2 weeks in August.
I’m opening another office for my company same time so not only is it summer break- when my kids are home from school and I need her most- but I’m traveling this time frame. I’m really pissed she didn’t even mention before she made this trip plan. I feel like she should have discussed this with us. We basically pay her year round to have her for summer when kids home from school. And this isn’t trip with her kids (I would understand that if she booked a trip when her kids were home from school )—- but this is a girls trip. Am I fair in thinking she should have discussed with us? I mean- honestly my boss wouldn’t have looked kindly on me taking off right when I’m opening an office- so I think most people consider their employee when planning trip… at least to some degree. |
She gave you two months notice. |
Why didn't you tell her that you might need her for August because of your plans? 2 months' notice is plenty for her to tell you. |
To be fair, she didn't know you were opening an office. |
Correct she had no idea- I just think she should have run it by us “hey I’m planning to be gone for two weeks in August.” I mean she knows we need her most for the summer when kids home.
Any time but summer would be easy but now one of us have to take vacation pretty much to cover her being gone. Tough in start of summer to find a fill in nanny. Plus has she told me earlier in March /April- I could have found camps for those weeks- now the local camps are full- we’ve tried about 4 different camps. And he’s gone three weeks in July in camps- so we could have coordinated. I’m still pissed but trying to not be mad- as she has right to vacation. But it’s like being a CPA and planning girls trip first 2 weeks of April— really!! |
Is it standard for her to take 2 consecutive weeks? We had it in our contract that our nanny would only take a week of her choosing per year (and 3 weeks of our choosing) but then every 3 years she would be 6 weeks consecutive off in thr summer. It was painful but it worked for us for a few years. If your nanny is used to being able to take 2 consecutive weeks then in fairness she did give you 2 months notice. For all you know she may have thought you’d be going away in August or that would be your quiet time as that’s the case in many jobs.
Unless it’s the last 2 weeks, I’d think you’ll be able to lock in a college kid still home or another nanny who has time off while her family is away. I’d post on some local groups and think you’ll have no issue. |
She did run it by you. Two months in advance. That seems reasonable to me. |
Fire her. Problem solved. |
Does your contract give you approval over the dates? If not, and you also did not tell her that was a bad time, her actions seem reasonable. It's not a personal trip she is planning with total control over dates. While she may have had some input, she had to work around others. Maybe her friends are teachers or they are nannies whose families will be away then. So not knowing that you are opening a new office and need her then,, she booked it. The alternative is she doesn't get to go at all. |
Technically it sounds like it’s reasonable depending on your contract. But I’d pull my hair out over the logistical impacts you mention. Can she help you find backup care?
This is why I stopped being an employer. I wanted to have an employee who was getting paid well and great benefits (with flexible vacation) like I got at my own job. But it just wasn’t worth the headache for us. |
+1 She’s giving you ample notice. |
No. You're beyond ridiculous. Be prepared to lose her if you make a stink. And rightfully so. |
2 months notice is plenty of time.
I’m also sure you knew about your new office opening up and could have communicated with her months ago about your summer work requirements for her. |
Maybe August is what works best for the other "girls" in her friend group. Are they teachers? Or nannies whose families are going away themselves those weeks? |
It really depends. Do you have it in your contract that she needs to have her vacation approved by you? I don't ask my boss for time off, I tell her when I'm taking it. |