Paying Part-Time Babysitters for Holidays

[Anonymous]

Hi all,
I posted this on the main DCUM forum, but hoping you can help too.

We have a part-time sitter, two days a week. We pay her hourly on the days she comes. When we hired her, I told her we'd pay for the days she works, and not the days she does not. I am pretty consistent with hours, and she has two consistent days (T/Th).

This week, she worked a half day, which I gave her notice about (because I had to volunteer at my daughter's pre-school), and her other work-day falls on Thanksgiving. Because we are all off Thanksgiving I told her not to come that day. I wasn't planning on paying her for the day, since she is part-time, but now I am wondering if I should?

I appreciate your guidance!

[Anonymous]

Yes you should pay her its a holiday

[Anonymous]

Because she is a part-time sitter (and not a part-time nanny) and because you were clear about your policy from the beginning, I do not think you are obliged to pay her for Thanksgiving.

I have no doubt, however, that she would greatly appreciate the money, and if you are happy enough with her to consider paying her for this holiday, I would encourage you to give her a little extra money as a Christmas bonus. Paying her for Thanksgiving could set a confusing precedent about which holidays will or won't be paid, but you're considerate enough to recognize that she is out her regular income this week. Making it up to her as a holiday bonus would be a nice way of taking care of her without muddling your policy in the future, if you were so inclined.

[Anonymous]

I had this policy with a part-time sitter as well, but I also guaranteed hours each week (she did three eight-hour days, and I guaranteed 16 hours).

So, in the case you're describing, I would have paid for the whole day on Tuesday, but not Thursday. I also would have asked her straight out if she wanted to work a different day to make up the hours or if she'd rather just have it unpaid.

Both X-mas and New Year's are on a Tuesday this year, so think about it.

[Anonymous]

You don't have an obligation to pay her since she is part time so she can't be expecting to make the bulk of her income dependant on her hours with you. If you would like to, that's very nice.

[Anonymous]

We do not have a vacation benefit for our PT sitter. Therefore she is not paid for any hours she does not work.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
Our policy has been if she doesn't come that day, or we don't need her, we don't pay her. But, I do feel bad, and like her. So, maybe I will pay her for the remainder of yesterday? So, an additional 3 hours? Not pay for Thanksgiving as a holiday, but give a good Christmas bonus? What is an appropriate bonus for a two day a week sitter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
Our policy has been if she doesn't come that day, or we don't need her, we don't pay her. But, I do feel bad, and like her. So, maybe I will pay her for the remainder of yesterday? So, an additional 3 hours? Not pay for Thanksgiving as a holiday, but give a good Christmas bonus? What is an appropriate bonus for a two day a week sitter?

A Christmas bonus, when given, tends to be between one to two week's pay.

[Anonymous]

I'm giving my nanny $200, and she makes about $450/wk part time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
Our policy has been if she doesn't come that day, or we don't need her, we don't pay her. But, I do feel bad, and like her. So, maybe I will pay her for the remainder of yesterday? So, an additional 3 hours? Not pay for Thanksgiving as a holiday, but give a good Christmas bonus? What is an appropriate bonus for a two day a week sitter?

Lady Bountiful you are not. Cheapskate.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the cranky PP at 20;24, OP. If your sitter is a P/T sitter and you have an agreement to only pay her when she works, then surely she knows that she will not be paid for Thanksgiving (or, as a PP pointed out, Christmas or NYD).

Guaranteed hours and PTO is rare for P/T sitter (although I think guaranteed hours helps prevent frequent turnover in part timers). Holiday bonuses are also rare for a sitter, although, if you really like her, I think that is a good thing to do. I wouldn't go over a week's salary as a bonus, though, unless she has done an extraordinary job or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ignore the cranky PP at 20;24, OP. If your sitter is a P/T sitter and you have an agreement to only pay her when she works, then surely she knows that she will not be paid for Thanksgiving (or, as a PP pointed out, Christmas or NYD).

Guaranteed hours and PTO is rare for P/T sitter (although I think guaranteed hours helps prevent frequent turnover in part timers). Holiday bonuses are also rare for a sitter, although, if you really like her, I think that is a good thing to do. I wouldn't go over a week's salary as a bonus, though, unless she has done an extraordinary job or something.

Thank you so very much for your response, this makes total sense.

[Anonymous]

Guaranteed hours ARE rare for a PT sitter.

However, if she finds that you are frequently canceling on her and she is unable to make a reliable income (however small) with your family, she will seek work elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

PT nanny here, agree with what most have said, that its by no means necessary, but it is a key thing in building loyalty with a PT nanny.

I will be quitting for the family I work for next month for this
reason. I could have arranged my schedule in the new year so that I could continue working for them, but they so frequently bailed out on me that I saw no reason to continue to be available to them.

[Anonymous]

I do suggest be a little bit generous at least Thanksgiving day, but clarify that is not all the year!. Also, considere that you can give to her another make up day!! That way both are happy!!

Good Luck