Severance pay for nanny quitting?

[Anonymous]

Our nanny has been with our family for 3.5 years and will be leaving at the end of the summer to move to her home state. She was part-time (15 hours) for about 2.5 years, then increased to 35 hours/week last summer at her request. She was AMAZING as a PT sitter watching our older kid since age 2, but honestly, mediocre as a FT nanny watching our older kid plus new baby. I am in part relieved she's quitting so I can find someone who's more competent.

She actually was ready to move at the start of summer when her lease runs out, but is doing us a favor by staying until the end of summer. We agreed that she will find a sublet and pay an amount a little less than her current rent and we will pay the difference. Because her current apartment is rent controlled with a flatmate, and she refuses to live with anyone new, our share will be substantial; I'm estimating that we will pay about $5K over the summer.

In the above circumstances, how much severance pay (if any) would you give this nanny?

[Anonymous]

Severance pay is if you no longer need them not if they quit. However, feel free to give her a going away bonus if you like her and can afford it.

[Anonymous]

The fact that you are her rent differential has absolutely nothing to do with severance. She has accommodated you by staying until the end of the summer when her original plans were very different. If anything, that should lead you to give her additional severance. In your shoes I would give her 2 weeks pay as severance.

[Anonymous]

I think severance is for when you let someone go? She gave notice, so a traditional severance isn't applicable here. So, I'd say no severance. She gave you notice.

If you want to give her some kind of bonus as appreciation, then give what you are comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Zero!! Generally, you get severance pay when you're laid off, not when you decide to quit. If she was magical and amazing and you wanted to give her a parting gift, okay, but not in this case.

[Anonymous]

lol you don't give severance pay if they quit, you do that if you fire them. In fact no one really gives severance pay because nannies can easily find employment

[Anonymous]

OP here. Okay severance was the wrong word, lol. I will probably give her one week's pay as a parting gift and not more because I will be shelling out a lot for her accommodation and she's not working with me there. For instance, she could move to an area a little farther away and the rent would be cheaper. And she insists on living on her own (not for covid reasons) but doesn't feel bad that this means I'll have to pay thousands extra.

[Anonymous]

How much is one week's pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Okay severance was the wrong word, lol. I will probably give her one week's pay as a parting gift and not more because I will be shelling out a lot for her accommodation and she's not working with me there. For instance, she could move to an area a little farther away and the rent would be cheaper. And she insists on living on her own (not for covid reasons) but doesn't feel bad that this means I'll have to pay thousands extra.

Good lord you sound entitled. Why would she feel bad? Would you feel bad if your employer sent you somewhere and you didn’t want to stay at an inconvenient hotel?

If she knew how much you’re holding her housing preference against her she’d probably pack up and leave today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Okay severance was the wrong word, lol. I will probably give her one week's pay as a parting gift and not more because I will be shelling out a lot for her accommodation and she's not working with me there. For instance, she could move to an area a little farther away and the rent would be cheaper. And she insists on living on her own (not for covid reasons) but doesn't feel bad that this means I'll have to pay thousands extra.

Then find a new nanny now and let her leave when she wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Okay severance was the wrong word, lol. I will probably give her one week's pay as a parting gift and not more because I will be shelling out a lot for her accommodation and she's not working with me there. For instance, she could move to an area a little farther away and the rent would be cheaper. And she insists on living on her own (not for covid reasons) but doesn't feel bad that this means I'll have to pay thousands extra.

Didn’t you say earlier that she was ready to move and you asked her to stay for a few extra months?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Okay severance was the wrong word, lol. I will probably give her one week's pay as a parting gift and not more because I will be shelling out a lot for her accommodation and she's not working with me there. For instance, she could move to an area a little farther away and the rent would be cheaper. And she insists on living on her own (not for covid reasons) but doesn't feel bad that this means I'll have to pay thousands extra.

I wouldn’t want to live with a random roommate either. She’s staying as a favor to you.

Either hire a new nanny fir the original departure date or pay up. Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re not looking for a new nanny before summer. You’re just delaying the inevitable.

[Anonymous]

Give her a 1 or 2 week parting bonus.

I think your plan to have her delay her departure over the summer is insane. Why not start interviewing nannies fir her original departure date?

[Anonymous]

OP, one week sounds nice. I'm honestly surprised about her extending the stay and you paying 5K....why not just look for a new nanny to start shortly before current nanny leaves??