Would you fire a nanny who was sick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually you can tell someone is getting sick or getting over from their sickness. If you heard a scratchy throat or saw her wincing each time she spoke and then the next day she called in sick, I'd believe that. If I had any indication she was lying, I'd fire.

She was definitely sick. We didnt ask but she provided her positive strep test when she was first sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would, it shows no commitment and really just I don't have the time to waste with someone with a shitty immune system.

How many days did you miss in the last 12 months?

I have never taken a sick day in over 10 years.

Not all of us are robots. Strep throat is highly contagious and her nanny did the right thing. She shouldn't be around a child with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would, it shows no commitment and really just I don't have the time to waste with someone with a shitty immune system.

How many days did you miss in the last 12 months?

I have never taken a sick day in over 10 years.

Well then, that explains your issues.

[Anonymous]

If you told her not to come in, how is that her fault? IMO, she has taken one sick day and was instructed to stay home the second time.

That said, smart employers can offer a bit of grace and some flexibility and then see whether those kindness are returned. So if you run late one night, and your Nanny shrugs it off, or if you need her to come in a bit early and she does so, you can feel assured your relationship is one of mutual give and take.

Your friends may choose to hold a hardline attitude, and then wonder why their nannies refuse to be flexible.

I know who I would choose to work for, and it's not your friends.

[Anonymous]

So she was legitimately sick, with proof, the first time. The second YOU told her not to come in. What are you firing her for exactly? Because your "friends" told you to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would, it shows no commitment and really just I don't have the time to waste with someone with a shitty immune system.

How many days did you miss in the last 12 months?

I have never taken a sick day in over 10 years.

Well then, that explains your issues.

Being a good worker? Man, me and my issues =/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you told her not to come in, how is that her fault? IMO, she has taken one sick day and was instructed to stay home the second time.

That said, smart employers can offer a bit of grace and some flexibility and then see whether those kindness are returned. So if you run late one night, and your Nanny shrugs it off, or if you need her to come in a bit early and she does so, you can feel assured your relationship is one of mutual give and take.

Your friends may choose to hold a hardline attitude, and then wonder why their nannies refuse to be flexible.

I know who I would choose to work for, and it's not your friends.

She has definitely been flexible. I was late twice ( 2 hours once) and she said " Don't worry. You got home safe. That's all that matters". She has also helped out with washing some dishes, folded our laundry, ran errands, and straightened up. That's been almost daily since she started. Not to mention, my baby loves her and she is amazing with my child. She also doesn't mind that DB works from home FT and I work from home PT. Most nannies didn't like that but she hasn't had an issue with it. We get along on a personal level.

[Anonymous]

I'm not usually one of those snarky posters, but I honestly can't even believe that this is an issue. It's a nasty cold and flu season. She's human - she got strep (and only stayed home 1 day!). And she got a cold (which she was willing to work through but you asked her not to). If this were like 7 times in the last 6 months, then I'd start to scratch my head about what to do. But this seems potentially reasonable and not likely a sign of vast illnesses to come.

How would you want to be treated at work if you needed one absence in the first 3 weeks of work because of strep? Treat her the way you'd want to be treated. "How are you feeling? I hope you get better soon!" (on a day you had a cold, you'd probably go in, just like she was willing to - you, the employer, asked her to stay home).

[Anonymous]

Your nanny hit a bad patch health-wise. It happens. I'd give it at least another month or two before I thought about replacing her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not usually one of those snarky posters, but I honestly can't even believe that this is an issue. It's a nasty cold and flu season. She's human - she got strep (and only stayed home 1 day!). And she got a cold (which she was willing to work through but you asked her not to). If this were like 7 times in the last 6 months, then I'd start to scratch my head about what to do. But this seems potentially reasonable and not likely a sign of vast illnesses to come.

How would you want to be treated at work if you needed one absence in the first 3 weeks of work because of strep? Treat her the way you'd want to be treated. "How are you feeling? I hope you get better soon!" (on a day you had a cold, you'd probably go in, just like she was willing to - you, the employer, asked her to stay home).

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Ha. I was never sick until I had DD. Now I'm getting over Postinfluenza Pneumonia and the flu last week, all thanks to DD. I would not hold it against her and keep business as usual. People get sick. Unless she is obviously abusing the situation I wouldn't worry.

[Anonymous]

This thread...

Would you be ok if your boss firs you because you were sick?

[Anonymous]

This is why a lot of employers don't allow you to use any of your PTO in the first three months. I don't think it's a good policy, personally.

To answer your question, it would depend on whether the nanny seemed to be taking advantage or was genuinely sick. If her prior references described her as highly dependable, then I'd give her the benefit of the doubt, but if she blows through all her sick days (we do 5 a year) in the first two months, then hopefully she'll be well for the rest of the year. Remember, it is cold season. She may just be having bad luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread...

Would you be ok if your boss firs you because you were sick?

In the first month? No, I'd be pissed. But I'd understand it. Many companies have policies against using sick time during the probation period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread...

Would you be ok if your boss firs you because you were sick?

Pretty much every job in the world will fire you if they just hired you and you call in sick 2 or 3 times in 3 weeks.