I’m going to fire nanny. What are best practices?

[Anonymous]

Wow, this thread makes me realize how much I missed the crazy-but-delusional-and-entertaining nannies when the Nanny Forum moved to a separate place. Welcome back! I’ve got my popcorn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Severance is rewarded in situations when the job is eliminated and performance is good. Poor performing employees should be fired.

NP. You can't just fire someone with no notice or severance unless they're stealing from you or harming your child. What the heck? I can't even imagine treating our nanny so poorly.

OP, it's not a good fit. Wait until the day you want to let her go, tell it's her last day, and hand her a check with the pay you owe her + two weeks severance + the payout from her unused vacation time. Then let her gather her things and say goodbye to your kids.

This isn't hard, folks.

Um, wonttbis be a bit abrupt for the kids? I’d tell her on a Thursday. Last day Friday + 2 weeks severance and vacation and Thank you.

Yes, but clearly the OP doesn't care. She's trying to get away without paying any severance (!!), and at least this way, the nanny and the children get to say goodbye. I'm stunned by the number of crazy parents who just fire nannies and don't even let them say goodbye at all or ever see the kids again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prefer severance over notice. Those two weeks are going to be very awkward with this person. Better for you to say nothing then give severance. You are firing for cause.

+1 to this.

And have her sign something like, per the contract, in lieu of two weeks notice she's accepting a two week severance.

I would give her honest feedback if she asks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Contract says two weeks notice. Silent on severance.

I’m glad to hear most are suggesting I don’t need to give more than that to not be an awful person.

Yeah and PP is right in that she’s just pretty lazy, too much screen time, keeps ordering takeout, not good. Also keeps getting “sick.” I’ve never encountered someone with more illnesses than her in less than a year, especially since she’s also gotten 4 weeks vacation.

Wise parents never allow any screen time with a sitter.

[Anonymous]

I bet you people on her are the same ones who comes here crying when your nanny quits with no notice. KARMA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, this thread makes me realize how much I missed the crazy-but-delusional-and-entertaining nannies when the Nanny Forum moved to a separate place. Welcome back! I’ve got my popcorn!

[b]

The parents on here are crazier than the nannies. You know in MARCH you want to fire your nanny but you’re waiting until June? So by then all the summer jobs are gone? Wow terrible people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I fire someone for cause, I do not give severance. If I let someone go because MY needs have changed, THEN I give severance.

Really, do you you have a staff at home where you have to think about this stuff?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Contract says two weeks notice. Silent on severance.

I’m glad to hear most are suggesting I don’t need to give more than that to not be an awful person.

Yeah and PP is right in that she’s just pretty lazy, too much screen time, keeps ordering takeout, not good. Also keeps getting “sick.” I’ve never encountered someone with more illnesses than her in less than a year, especially since she’s also gotten 4 weeks vacation.

Wise parents never allow any screen time with a sitter.

1. A sitter is not a nanny.
2. A sitter may have kids watch a video before going to bed while you’re on a date. That’s common. A nanny is more likely to be setting up play dates, checking on the activities at the library, finding a craft or recipe, or taking a picture or video for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Severance is rewarded in situations when the job is eliminated and performance is good. Poor performing employees should be fired.

^ this poster has never worked for or with HR.

Severance is provided to allow the employer to reduce legal liability and to buy goodwill. Larger employers will require employees to give up rights to sue in order to accept the severance package.

Severance in this case, with a nanny, is to make the nanny feel a bit better about you so she is less likely to file vengeful lawsuits.
If you were BrightHorizons , not a solo employer, and you had a large legal department, you would certainly give severance and you would certainly require the fired employee to give up rights to sue as a condition.