Snow Day

[Anonymous]

The roads are horrible. Suck it up for one more day jeez. Government and schools closed. Buses are delayed and most neighborhoods have not been plowed. Use your brain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi fellow parents, are you guys asking your nanny to come in if DC shuts down tomorrow due to inclement weather? We gave my nanny two weeks off for the holiday season and she is supposed to return tomorrow but she said if it's really bad out she would much rather play it safe and stay in. I told her I will still need to work from home but my husband who is a teacher would be home but he is burnt out from the break and would need you to come in and take over. Am I asking a lot? Nannies should report to work even if it's snowing that shouldn't be our issue. Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying I want her to be safe but bundle up and come in. Thoughts?

“Bundling up” is irrelevant to road conditions.

If it isn’t safe for your kids’ school to be open, it isn’t safe for your nanny to drive. Suck it up, “burnt out” dad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

Cool story. This isn’t that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

Typical i made this a topic in my nanny fb group because I can't believe people really act like this.. and judging from your response I hit a nerve but I said what I said. She should start seeking employment elsewhere..

“I said what I said?” Are you an 11-year-old girl? Because if not, how embarrassing for you.

DP, and no, you didn’t “hit a nerve,” but good try. We’re just disgusted by your selfishness.

[Anonymous]

Definitely hit a nerve!

[Anonymous]

So your husband just had 2ish weeks off work & is getting a bonus day off … but he’s gonna be burnt out from dealing with his own children & needs the nanny to travel in dangerous weather to take over? Do you hear yourself? Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.

Put your children daycare then. Any nanny you get is going to request the same thing. Nanny Industry standards are a thing and having one is a luxury. I hope she quits on you.

[Anonymous]

I hope the nanny quits. And you’re a coward for posting anonymously

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.

Hi, the "sacrifices" that you are referring to are the nanny's safety and possibly her life. Under no circumstances is she required to sacrifice her physical well-being - - EVER -- for an employer. The job is to be there when it is physically safe to do so. Not when it is physically not safe.

Staying at home safe and sound to do your work is not comparable to asking a nanny to come out onto treacherous roads so that you can have a break and won't have to parent your own children. You chose to have your children. She didn't. She is not required to risk her life for you -- ever.

The sociopathy that some people have towards their nannies, who they've hired to RAISE THEIR CHILDREN for them when they are not able to, ought to be studied.

[Anonymous]

Parents still have to parent when they're burnt out. But a nanny should never be asked to risk her life simply because you have to work from home and the husband is feeling burnt out. One of you needs to step up. This is categorically insane. I don't particularly understand why you don't care about the well-being of your nanny? She is a human being and is not required to risk her life for you - - ever. These are extenuating circumstances and they will of course affect you. Demanding that they shouldn't have to affect you is incredibly entitled. You should have given her the day off, paid, without her having to use her PTO. Inclement weather should always be a given paid day off for nannies who have to commute to work. All you have to do is shuffle over to the computer. Count your blessings and behave with some tact and consideration.

[Anonymous]

Your children are YOUR children. Having a nanny is still considered formal childcare and unlike a daycare there’s only one employee not multiple people to fill in when someone isn’t available. Whether or not you feel you’ve given reasonable accommodations, If the nanny declines to come in that is their choice. Your job gives you option to telework if you have children in your home your job should know that and be able to accommodate. YOU have to accommodate having children because you are the parent. The nanny does not have to accommodate your children and your significant other simply because they are an employee. Having a nanny is simply a privilege that you’re able to afford. But they are not a hired parent. The hard stuff still falls on you as parents you must always remember that. And having children is far from convenient so always have a plan b or plan c that does not involve your nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

Typical i made this a topic in my nanny fb group because I can't believe people really act like this.. and judging from your response I hit a nerve but I said what I said. She should start seeking employment elsewhere..

“I said what I said?” Are you an 11-year-old girl? Because if not, how embarrassing for you.

DP, and no, you didn’t “hit a nerve,” but good try. We’re just disgusted by your selfishness.

I'm going to go ahead and respond to this even though it wasn't my original comment. "I said what I said," is a quote from a grown woman. It simply means "I said what I meant." One doesn't have to be an 11-year-old girl to understand or to quote it. What on earth are you talking about? Please stay on topic.

The point that everyone in the comments is making is that it is extremely self-centered and inconsiderate to ask a nanny to come in during inclement weather. Period. There is no amount of crashing out on the internet or even talking with other employers who agree with you that will make this behavior anywhere close to decent. A person attempting to stay safe during inclement weather is not "taking advantage." By this logic, there is no reason why she should ever take a day off. Not a snowstorm, not a tornado, not severe illness. You simply think that she should always be at your beck and call. You are procuring her services. You don't own her. Stop behaving as if you do.

[Anonymous]

While I understand that you guys are in a spot that you dont want to be in, you’ll be fine. I would rather my nanny stay home and come when it’s safe than to end up in a dangerous situation because we are burnt out from caring for our kids. Give them something to do and find ways to entertain them in the house the same way you expect your nanny to do. If you feel confident with your car, drive to go get her and take her home or pay for an uber there and back.

Just think about it, you all have a parent that can care for them, he’s just tired. Now you see how valuable she is. She’s not keeping you all from work or important duties. Would you rather be without your nanny temporarily or would you rather something happen and you have to spend time finding someone new and just as great because you were upset she couldn’t come in.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s fair to expect your nanny to put herself at risk to travel during inclement weather. The only way I would think it would be appropriate is if she agreed to stay overnight to avoid traveling, but then she should also receive her overnight fee on top of her pay, plus a ride or an uber to and from your residence. You must also take into account if she has children of her own or what her situation might be. A nanny is a luxury and they need to be treated with care and kindness. They take care and love our children, so I think you have a lot to reflect on. Put yourself in her shoes and think about how you would like to be treated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.

It’s a lot of delusions from parents really just being cheap. If your child was in daycare you would have to keep them home AND pay. If your child was in private school you would have to keep them home AND pay. Why slight the person that’s only caring for child?