Nanny just booked a trip to Florida for Apr 20.....WWYD

Anonymous
Ok - my nanny has asked for vacation days for the week of April 20 for awhile now - that has not been an issue and was approved. And we had DH's parents booked as back-up care while nanny will be gone. Nanny and her DH were going to go to Florida and go to Universal Studios and the beach...

Then, coronavirus happened.

I just kind of assumed - which I guess I shouldn't have - that her vacation would be off, since everyone is canceling their upcoming vacations. But, nope. She told me a week ago, "hey we just booked our flights!" I kind of just stared at her and didn't know what to say.... I just checked and Universal and Disney are scheduled to re-open on Apr 19.

My husband wants to tell her that if she insists on going on this vacation and especially if she's going to theme parks, she needs to stay home for 2 weeks upon her return and not come to work and we will not pay her. Especially because it puts us at risk, and one of us will have to stay home and try to work from home and watch our kids simultaneously. We do not want to ask grandparents for backup care anymore, due to current situation.

(She's currently staying home for 2 weeks or maybe longer with pay, by the way)

How would you handle this? We like her otherwise and want to keep her, but I just think this was a silly decision.
Anonymous
She will have to quarantine at her own expense after the trip. No brainer.
Anonymous
Honestly, I think I would look for a new nanny. I wouldn’t want someone that stupid in charge of my children all day.
Anonymous
I doubt Universal will reopen them anyway.

That date was just an estimate based on old information.

Most epidemiologists are saying we should confine SD until at least May or June, possibly longer.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think I would look for a new nanny. I wouldn’t want someone that stupid in charge of my children all day.


I would also look for a new nanny.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think I would look for a new nanny. I wouldn’t want someone that stupid in charge of my children all day.


Agree
Anonymous
PP is correct, but the reality is that I would tell her it’s not safe to travel at this time. It will be surge time in both places.

I wouldn’t want such a low-IQ nanny, honestly.
Anonymous
I would require her to quarantine herself for 14 days upon her return. Do you trust that she would really do that?
Anonymous
OP here - we're not getting a new nanny. She's honestly great with the kids, is always on time, is a great communicator, goes above and beyond, etc. Honestly I think her DH pressured her into it - he seems kind of low-information honestly - and told her it would all blow over by April 20 and it seems like she reluctantly went along with it..

For the people saying she should quarantine for 14 days - yes, that is a no brainer. But, with or without pay? Right now i'm thinking without.... and trying to figure out how to approach that with her.
Anonymous
So she’s staying at home right now with pay. If this continues, as it will, will you continue to pay her? How are you currently guaranteeing that she isn’t breaking isolation now and adding risk to your family when she returns to work? If you don’t know, then it seems arbitrary to decide this trip is the deal breaker, she may have gone to NYC earlier in the week for all you know. You won’t be able to ensure she’s actually isolated after her trip for 2 weeks either.
Anonymous
Without pay, because you are not accepting her risky behavior.

The issue is that you cannot trust her husband.

I would put immense pressure on them not to go.
Anonymous
I bet if you say you won’t pay her for two weeks her husband will rethink the trip.
Anonymous
If she is dumb enough to go to Florida under these circumstances, she is too dumb to trust to actually quarantine herself. If her husband is going out, she is not in quarantine. I sure wouldn’t risk my kids.
Anonymous
Why is she currently staying home with pay? You have no idea what she’s doing now and presumably she is coming back to work with you, so I’m not sure why the FL trip is the dealbreaker.
Anonymous
If you value her you will accept that she is a grown adult with a life of her own. It's not like she's hiding from you where she is going. Because she does not owe you that information, she is just decent enough to provide you with it.

She is of good character. Don't take her for granted.
post reply Forum Index » Childcare other than Daycare and Preschool
Message Quick Reply
Go to: