Is it nanny's responsibility?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do it, what's the problem ?
They could have asked you to stay at their place for 2 weeks to watch the house ... so why not doing them a favor by picking up the dogs ...

No they couldn't have. This is ridiculous. They signed a contract which included guaranteed hours, and she doesn't owe them anything for it. Dog taxi driver is not her job, so of course she can say no. What if the dogs make a mess in her car? What if OP has leather seats and the dogs tear them? What if she isn't used to driving with animals in the car and she gets into an accident? Her employers overstepped here.

Like the PP said, if they were jerks they could have asked you to be at the house during your agreed hours, since they are paying you to be there from (e.g.) 8-5. But instead of being jerks they are letting you not come in to work and still paying you. So the least you could do is work for 2 hours to pick up their dog in exchange for 2 weeks of pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on your relationship with this family.

If you feel they have treated you with the utmost respect overall and that you would like to do it as an act of goodwill just because you want to, then by all means do it.

I love my nanny family and would do it just because they have always treated me so kindly in the past and I would do anything to help them.

However if you only see them on strictly professional terms, then let them know you are unavailable on that day and simply cannot assist them on that day.

If she's unavailable, then she shouldn't get paid. Guaranteed hours means that you are not on vacation and are available to work. I agree, it's not strictly within a definition of nanny duties, but it would be extremely petty to decline. When you have extra time off due to guaranteed hours, I think you do need to be aware that it's distinct from vacation. A good employer will definitely treat most (80-90%) of the time as vacation. But, asking you to come in to do some kid related chores or a even a few household maintenance tasks that you might be willing to do during your nanny regular work days (water a plant or two, bring in the mail, etc) is definitely not out of bounds. And, if for some reason, the vacation was cancelled or plans changed, you should be ready and able to report to work. (I.e., I wouldn't buy those nonrefundable plane tickets without clearing it with your employer first)

[Anonymous]

^^ THIS. As PP said. The only reason she is getting paid is that she is available to do her duties, in the agreed upon times, but NF doesn't need her services. I think it is totally appropriate for MB to ask her to do some of the household related duties or errands, unless it is clearly stated in the contract that under no circumstances nanny will be performing any other duties that are not childcare.

Some of PPs mentioned that it could be appropriate to ask to do it in their car, and I second that if you are worrying about dog hair or there is no good way to drive a dog that size in your car.

I'm an MB and I have left a few errands for my nanny during similar "paid time"/non-vacation. It was less than 2 hours worth of child related errands when I paid her for 47 hours of her time including overtime. Nanny never mentioned that she had a problem with that.

[Anonymous]

Asking the nanny to water plants, pick up some mail, buy clothes for the kids or go through the kids clothes is a lot different than asking her to pick up 2 dogs from my the kennel and play dog sitter for the day.

[Anonymous]

I'm an MB. Are you contractually obligated? Of course not. But if you and your family are on an "I/we only do/offer exactly what is dictated by the contract" basis then you're in a bad place.

It seems to me that if you're getting an extra two weeks of paid vacation it isn't that huge a deal to do them this favor. Unless this is a rotten relationship and they're in the habit of treating you poorly I don't think this is an awful request.

Of course you can say no. If I were your employer I would fully understand that you're doing me a favor. But if you say no, in light of all the paid time off, it would definitely affect my opinion of you and how flexible I might be willing to be with you in the future.

I think these relationships go both ways. If everyone is respectful, reliable, professional, and considerate - on all sides - things work better. If all parties occasionally do small favors for the other to be nice or helpful or whatever, that is great. And sometimes people need help - they get sick and need extra time off, or a family member dies and they need unexpected leave, or something needs to be done during the day so the nanny needs to run a personal errand or two with the kids, or the boss asks you to pick up their dog.

In a good relationship you do these kinds of things because it's an investment in the long term and someday you might need a favor in return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MB. Are you contractually obligated? Of course not. But if you and your family are on an "I/we only do/offer exactly what is dictated by the contract" basis then you're in a bad place.

It seems to me that if you're getting an extra two weeks of paid vacation it isn't that huge a deal to do them this favor. Unless this is a rotten relationship and they're in the habit of treating you poorly I don't think this is an awful request.

Of course you can say no. If I were your employer I would fully understand that you're doing me a favor. But if you say no, in light of all the paid time off, it would definitely affect my opinion of you and how flexible I might be willing to be with you in the future.

I think these relationships go both ways. If everyone is respectful, reliable, professional, and considerate - on all sides - things work better. If all parties occasionally do small favors for the other to be nice or helpful or whatever, that is great. And sometimes people need help - they get sick and need extra time off, or a family member dies and they need unexpected leave, or something needs to be done during the day so the nanny needs to run a personal errand or two with the kids, or the boss asks you to pick up their dog.

In a good relationship you do these kinds of things because it's an investment in the long term and someday you might need a favor in return.

you are contradicting yourself. It's OK to say no but I will judge you and your mb will to and this may impact your job in the future but it's OK to say no.

[Anonymous]

OK op
So here it is dog sitting is not a textbook nanny responsibility.

But as pps have pointed it out if you want to keep your job and guarantee a good reference from you r employers you should do it.

Just caring for the kids is not enough, and if you plan on being a career nanny and stay with a family for years you have to understand that.

Your job is to make the family life easier.

If they need dishes done you do it.
If they need clothes ironed or mended you do it.

If they need the car taken in for maintenance you do it.

If the cat needs taken to the vet you do it.

If the dog needs to be cared for over Christmas break you do it.

If grandparents need pick up from airport you do it.

These things add up and could be the difference between you getting an OK reference and a bad one.
Being a nanny is tough it is nor enough to take care of the kids

[Anonymous]

You're getting 2 extra weeks of paid vacation, and you are unwilling to drive 72 miles round trip and get their dogs from the boarders? Really?

And I don't quite understand how that would take up "a good portion" of your day. Where do you live/work that driving 72 miles, picking up/dropping off dogs takes more than 3 - 4 hours, max?

I guess I think a little give and take makes for a good work relationship. It's not like they told you they needed you to dog sit for 2+ weeks, right?

This exactly.

I would absolutely think it selfish for a nanny with an extra paid two weeks can't do one errand on her last day (after 13 days of doing nothing) especially is she is paid guaranteed hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You're getting 2 extra weeks of paid vacation, and you are unwilling to drive 72 miles round trip and get their dogs from the boarders? Really?

And I don't quite understand how that would take up "a good portion" of your day. Where do you live/work that driving 72 miles, picking up/dropping off dogs takes more than 3 - 4 hours, max?

I guess I think a little give and take makes for a good work relationship. It's not like they told you they needed you to dog sit for 2+ weeks, right?

This exactly.

I would absolutely think it selfish for a nanny with an extra paid two weeks can't do one errand on her last day (after 13 days of doing nothing) especially is she is paid guaranteed hours.

Does this work in the reverse? Does a nanny family that doesn't do something they are not contractually obligated to do deserve judgement? There are some families that choose to not offer guaranteed hours. There are families that choose not to give bonuses, or acknowledge birthdays, etc. I do not think that choosing not to do something that you are not obligated to do, and that falls significantly outside of your typical duties makes someone a bad employee.

If the rest of their relationship is otherwise good, refusing to do this should not make or break it. Doing it out of fear or some imagined obligation, however, is a good way to end up bitter and resentful. In 6 months OP will be one of the many nannies on here complaining that they go the extra mile for their NF and it never seems to be enough/isn't ever acknowledged. Boundaries are not a bad thing, and flexibility doesn't mean agreeing to any and everything that is asked.

Being paid while they are away is not some gift to you OP. You don't owe them for it any more than you owe them for paid holidays that you negotiated, your own vacation time, or your paycheck. This was all part of the deal.

[Anonymous]

OK, then don't do it. But you're going to have to say, "No, I don't want to pick up your dogs at the kennel because this is not one of my contractual duties as a nanny." You can't say you're "unavailable," because they are paying you because you are available and they cancelled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You're getting 2 extra weeks of paid vacation, and you are unwilling to drive 72 miles round trip and get their dogs from the boarders? Really?

And I don't quite understand how that would take up "a good portion" of your day. Where do you live/work that driving 72 miles, picking up/dropping off dogs takes more than 3 - 4 hours, max?

I guess I think a little give and take makes for a good work relationship. It's not like they told you they needed you to dog sit for 2+ weeks, right?


This exactly.

I would absolutely think it selfish for a nanny with an extra paid two weeks can't do one errand on her last day (after 13 days of doing nothing) especially is she is paid guaranteed hours.


Does this work in the reverse? Does a nanny family that doesn't do something they are not contractually obligated to do deserve judgement? There are some families that choose to not offer guaranteed hours. There are families that choose not to give bonuses, or acknowledge birthdays, etc. I do not think that choosing not to do something that you are not obligated to do, and that falls significantly outside of your typical duties makes someone a bad employee.

If the rest of their relationship is otherwise good, refusing to do this should not make or break it. Doing it out of fear or some imagined obligation, however, is a good way to end up bitter and resentful. In 6 months OP will be one of the many nannies on here complaining that they go the extra mile for their NF and it never seems to be enough/isn't ever acknowledged. Boundaries are not a bad thing, and flexibility doesn't mean agreeing to any and everything that is asked.

Being paid while they are away is not some gift to you OP. You don't owe them for it any more than you owe them for paid holidays that you negotiated, your own vacation time, or your paycheck. This was all part of the deal.

Sure, it works in reverse, but your examples aren't equivalent at all. Guaranteed hours are a negotiated perk. Personally, I think they are standard, but not all families think the same so a nanny needs to protect her interests when negotiating a job. Bonuses are earned and it is childish to expect that NFs acknowledge birthdays. None of these examples are the same as OP's issue. OP is being paid an extra two weeks to do nothing and balks at one simple errand. OP is being treated well and is being whiny and entitled.

A better example is a nanny who is similarly generous with an employer who is not appreciated for her generosity. Say, the parents are late on a regular basis and nanny just stays without complaint and without extra charge. In that case, absolutely you can judge the NF. They are getting a benefit and acting entitled and not appreciating a good working relationship. Judge away.

I absolutely agree with you that boundaries are a good thing, but the nanny is not being asked to do anything super egregious. She is sitting around collecting a paycheck for doing nothing (an extra two weeks, not her negotiated vacation time or PTO) and she can't be bothered to do one errand...even though she has guaranteed hours and is expected to be ready and available to work. Yeah, I judge her. I would remember this come bonus time and when I consider whether to keep her or find a new nanny.

Now, if her NF routinely violates boundaries and expects her to do all kinds of extra work while they are gone, that is different and nanny should get a new job. But that isn't what OP posted. And my guess is that this nanny won't be seeking new employment because an extra two paid weeks off is a pretty sweet deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, then don't do it. But you're going to have to say, "No, I don't want to pick up your dogs at the kennel because this is not one of my contractual duties as a nanny." You can't say you're "unavailable," because they are paying you because you are available and they cancelled.

I don't believe that is the case if they told me a month and a half ago they would be out of town from x date - y date and would not be needing my services.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is not like they're asking for a huge part of your day during a 3 day weekend. You have a full 2 week's off. It's one day. All you have to do is pick up their dogs and drop them off at home.

Why not make a day out of it if the kennel is in an area you typically don't visit? See if there's a great coffee shop or lunch place nearby and treat yourself. Shop a little. Then pick up the dogs and bring them home. Don't be a diva.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MB. Are you contractually obligated? Of course not. But if you and your family are on an "I/we only do/offer exactly what is dictated by the contract" basis then you're in a bad place.

It seems to me that if you're getting an extra two weeks of paid vacation it isn't that huge a deal to do them this favor. Unless this is a rotten relationship and they're in the habit of treating you poorly I don't think this is an awful request.

Of course you can say no. If I were your employer I would fully understand that you're doing me a favor. But if you say no, in light of all the paid time off, it would definitely affect my opinion of you and how flexible I might be willing to be with you in the future.

I think these relationships go both ways. If everyone is respectful, reliable, professional, and considerate - on all sides - things work better. If all parties occasionally do small favors for the other to be nice or helpful or whatever, that is great. And sometimes people need help - they get sick and need extra time off, or a family member dies and they need unexpected leave, or something needs to be done during the day so the nanny needs to run a personal errand or two with the kids, or the boss asks you to pick up their dog.

In a good relationship you do these kinds of things because it's an investment in the long term and someday you might need a favor in return.

you are contradicting yourself. It's OK to say no but I will judge you and your mb will to and this may impact your job in the future but it's OK to say no.

I don't see that as a contradiction. I'm saying that she is not contractually bound so therefore can obviously refuse to do it. Or she can choose to do them the favor. Either decision will have an impact. If I'm the MB the impact on refusing to do it would be negative, but I can't force her.

[Anonymous]

Sure, OP, don't do it. But I guarantee that your MB will take notice, it will change her perception of you and her willingness to be flexible with you. Relationships are about good will and give and take. You nanny family - though contractually obligated - is giving you an awesome perk by being out of town for two weeks. Unless they treat you poorly or you have some other reason that you have not laid out, the appropriate thing to do is to say, "I'm really going to enjoy this time off - thanks! I'd be happy to help you with your dogs."