Anonymous
Post 03/01/2021 07:32     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:We hired a nanny for our infant. She started Monday. We like her and she likes us. She has a really long commute, via public transport until the second half of March when she is getting a car. She knew about the commute before starting and I asked her repeatedly if it's a problem for her. She said no. Today she asked if instead of 9-6 she can work 9-5 (every day of the week, not a one-time thing) because her commute is longer when she leaves here at 6. We said no. My husband offered to let her leave early on Friday, around 430-5. I feel this is completely unprofessional. We had agreed on the terms last week and she knew perfectly well what she is getting into. I am also concerned she will look for another job - the issue is obviously important enough for her to bring up after 3 days of employment. What would you do?


Some people underestimate how they will be able to handle things until they live through it. Thinking about a 2 hour commute in the abstract v. going through it afyer a full day of work being tired is different. This happens to people in all jobs, but especially in the world of lesser skilled occupations, you're going to find a higher incidence of people like that.

Overall, I'd work with her if she's otherwise a good fit that will care for your child well. For me, it took me so much time and effort to find a good nanny that I wouldn't want to go through that again. But in your case, since it's so recent, maybe you can see if number 2 or 3 on your list is still available.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 15:47     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
I’ve never heard of a nanny asking for an adjustment so early in a job. She sounds naive and will probably ask for a raise once she sees how much more it costs to own a car than pay for mass transit. Start looking for a new nanny who has worked in the area and has reliable transportation.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 13:04     Subject: Re:Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:Nanny here.

1. Asking for shorter hours in the first week is a red flag. She’s looking for a closer job.

OR

2. You negotiated a weekly rate. She sees an opportunity to get the same rate with less work.

Either way, it’s unprofessional and you need to move on.


Career nanny and I couldn't have said it better myself. Time to find a new nanny!
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 11:54     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.


Yes.

I think many nannies work 9 hours.

I know nannies working 10 hours when both parents work long hours.

I work a corporate job - and work 12-14 hours per day. Why do nannies get special treatment?


Why are you paid more than a nanny?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 11:31     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
With covid I wouldn’t someone taking public transportation. As unprofessional as it was to ask to change her hours I would cut my losses today and look to extend an offer over the weekend with a nanny who drives and who wants the job
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 11:03     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
How do you know the weekly pay doesn’t already have OT factored in?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 10:21     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.


New poster here

What is wrong with the hours?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 10:07     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
It's possible that she asked to change the hours so quickly because she felt it was better to make the change now rather than in 6 months.

To test her sincerity about this being a one time demand, the commute, I would say that the weekly pay is reduced because it was based on 5 additional hours. If she readily agrees then maybe it's ok but she should have mentioned a pay reduction herself when making the request.

Are there nanny jobs near where she lives that pay as well as yours? Do you like her so far?
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 06:32     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.


She didn't *make* her do anything. Nanny agreed to those terms.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 06:26     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.


Yes.

I think many nannies work 9 hours.

I know nannies working 10 hours when both parents work long hours.

I work a corporate job - and work 12-14 hours per day. Why do nannies get special treatment?


This was PP.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2021 06:25     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.


Yes.

I think many nannies work 9 hours.

I know nannies working 10 hours when both parents work long hours.

I work a corporate job - and work 12-14 hours per day. Why do nannies get special treatment?
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2021 20:14     Subject: Re:Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
I can see both sides of the coin here.

I get that she agreed to a certain time frame, but is now asking to change that time frame which will not work for you + your husband since you both need that extra hour.

I can also understand that this public transportation issue was something that she didn’t fully realize until she actually tried it.

However I see your side the most.
Unless she is an extraordinary, supreme Nanny I would let her go.

For her to ask for five hours less each wk after agreeing to the original hrs is not a good look for her.
It shows that she does not take her job as seriously as she should and if you keep her on, it is likely that she will be asking you to change other things.

For curiosity’s sake, how old is she?
And is this her first Nanny job??
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2021 19:46     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Look for a new nanny. Only 3 days in and already making impactful changes. Imagine 3 weeks in. 3 months in. and so on.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2021 19:44     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
She is entitled to 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 per state law. I think it’s pretty crappy of you to make a nanny work those hours. I doubt you will find someone else unless you are paying outrageously well.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2021 19:36     Subject: Nanny asks to work fewer hours than agreed 3 days into starting out
Anonymous wrote:I hope you will decrease her compensation if you do allow her to reduce her hours.


Five hours.