What to do when nanny misses a lot of days?

[Anonymous]

Just to not let this board full of lazy nannies lead you wrong, I want to point out that as a nanny I have not been sick or taken a day off for years. There are plenty of nannies out there who don't constantly get sick or have constant medical issues. There are still some professionals in this field.

[Anonymous]

I had a position once where 1 month into the position I was rushed for emergency surgery. I had to take 2 weeks off and my employers were supportive even sent me some flowers, strawberries and a get well card. Once recovered I came back to work although I was still in some pain, only to be fired at the end of the week once they had finalized a contract with the nanny who filled in for me. I'm Glad to be done with that family but honestly if they didn't want me to return they just should have said so insted of having me return to fire me without cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a position once where 1 month into the position I was rushed for emergency surgery. I had to take 2 weeks off and my employers were supportive even sent me some flowers, strawberries and a get well card. Once recovered I came back to work although I was still in some pain, only to be fired at the end of the week once they had finalized a contract with the nanny who filled in for me. I'm Glad to be done with that family but honestly if they didn't want me to return they just should have said so insted of having me return to fire me without cause.

This is probably the coldest thing I've ever read. I hope you are in much better health, and have moved on to a better job.

[Anonymous]

The red flag, OP is that she offered to come in while allegedly sick, 3 out of 5 times. This makes me suspicious that she was really ill. No one calls out with the parenthetical that they can come in if needed. That is straight up manipulation.

Replace her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The red flag, OP is that she offered to come in while allegedly sick, 3 out of 5 times. This makes me suspicious that she was really ill. No one calls out with the parenthetical that they can come in if needed. That is straight up manipulation.

Replace her.

This is untrue. I've been in this situation. I have been very sick but still offered to go in because I was too worried about leaving then destitute without any backup. I think OPs nanny was probably in the same situation. It's rather annoying when so many people assume the worst. OP even said she believes her nanny that she was ill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The red flag, OP is that she offered to come in while allegedly sick, 3 out of 5 times. This makes me suspicious that she was really ill. No one calls out with the parenthetical that they can come in if needed. That is straight up manipulation.

Replace her.

+1000

I agree. There have been many times that I have called in "sick" because I wanted to do something fun but ultimately not important and I would always offer to suck it up and come in on those occasions because I would feel really bad on taking a fun day when I was really needed at work. If your nanny is offering to come in while "sick" she is obviously faking or at least a hypochondriac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The red flag, OP is that she offered to come in while allegedly sick, 3 out of 5 times. This makes me suspicious that she was really ill. No one calls out with the parenthetical that they can come in if needed. That is straight up manipulation.

Replace her.

This is untrue. I've been in this situation. I have been very sick but still offered to go in because I was too worried about leaving then destitute without any backup. I think OPs nanny was probably in the same situation. It's rather annoying when so many people assume the worst. OP even said she believes her nanny that she was ill.

Why would anyone want you to come in sick so they don't have to miss a day of work when you will just leave them with a sick baby for 4 days. Not too smart.

[Anonymous]

Do you think that the fact that you work from home makes her think that it is easier for her to call in sick? Just a question because I think some nannies don't think it is that big of a deal when parents who telecommute have to stay home alone with their child vs. one who needs to report to an office job. What they don't take into consideration is the fact that it is tough for the parents to get any work done with young kids along with conference calls, etc.

Anyway, I would take a gamble on her since her references were so good and the fact that she has been so good and your son loves her. Give her one more chance. But if she messes up another month, I would give her her walking papers.

Perhaps this is just a bad month. Sometimes in life, stuff like this happens and is beyond our control. When our bodies fail us, there really is nothing we can do about it. Just like when our cars break down and we cannot get to work. Or when there is a snowstorm or a flood.