Confused about what's standard for nanny vacations

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I'm a nanny, I've been with a family for the past year. I work part time with 2 boys after school. They've been great, I have no complaints, I just have a few questions on etiquette regarding vacations.

I've never taken sick days or called out at the last minute. I've asked off a total of 7 work days in the past year in because my grandmother was ill and getting out of the hospital, and someone needed to be there to help her. I spoke with the mom before booking the ticket to make sure that she was able to get coverage for those days. I also made sure to give at least a two week notice.

Even though I don't really take days off, I get other days off by default since she took a week off during Christmas, and also gets major holidays off and doesn't ask me to come in to work. But I never know about these days/weeks off until literally a day or two beforehand, so even if I wanted to plan a vacation during her days off, I wouldn't have enough time to because she decides to take off work at the last minute.

Anyway, long story short - my mom is getting married next month in Dubai. I would need a total of 5 days off to make the trip worth it. I don't expect PTO for this trip since she gave me PTO during Christmas and for my trip home to see my grandma. I just wanted to know what is the standard allowance for time off for a babysitter, and is a month's notice acceptable? No snarky or mean comments, please.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, there's not standard anything. You have got to discuss it with the mom and see what works for you both.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, bummer your mom couldn't have just gotten married over Christmas, huh?

Because you're part-time, the standards I know of for vacations go out the window, so just discuss it with the mom and see if she can deal with a week off, unpaid.

[Anonymous]

There is no standard for a part time nanny/sitter. A month's notice is good time frame for someone to line up alternative care. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

As an MB, that would seem totally reasonable to me, especially if you prefaced it with "Of course this would be unpaid..."

[Anonymous]

The standard for a full-time nanny is usually 2 weeks (one at her discretion, one at her employers.)

But a part-time nanny is different. Just talk to her about it though. She should have a back-up but incase she doesn't just make sure you've given her plenty of notice. (atleast two weeks but if you can give a month then go for it.)

[Anonymous]

You're not a nanny, you're an after school babysitter. There's no standard for that.

[Anonymous]

You should ask for your vacation. This job has no benefits so 5 days time off with a month's notice is fair enough. When one accepts a job, no one knows what lies ahead, its called life. if your employer is pleased with the quality of work you do and you have developed an open, honest relationship, she would be willing to do this for you. Blessings to you.