Hiring a nanny who smokes

[Anonymous]

First time (potential) MB here. Currently interviewing candidates for a live-out PT nanny position. Would you consider hiring a nanny who smoked if you liked everything else about her and she agreed not to smoke around your children? Why or why not?

[Anonymous]

I probably wouldn't, but that's just me. Even if she didn't smoke around the kids what about the stench? Her car? What if they found them in her purse?

[Anonymous]

I would probably only consider it if she agreed not to smoke while on the clock at all, and wouldn't even bring cigarettes into the house. If she could manage that then maaayyyybeee I'd consider it.

[Anonymous]

It's cigarettes here not drugs. Most girls wear perfume anyway. Does she have a nice car? If so, she probably doesn't smoke in it. I'd hire her on the condition she doesn't stink like a cigarette around my kids which is a pretty reasonable expectation. But, I know my kids will encounter smokers and (gasp!) cigarettes and some point in their life. No use in helicoptering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's cigarettes here not drugs. Most girls wear perfume anyway. Does she have a nice car? If so, she probably doesn't smoke in it. I'd hire her on the condition she doesn't stink like a cigarette around my kids which is a pretty reasonable expectation. But, I know my kids will encounter smokers and (gasp!) cigarettes and some point in their life. No use in helicoptering.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

She could lie about smoking and youd never know.

Id hire her. She knows not to smoke near your kids or right before work.

[Anonymous]

No, I would not hire a smoker. Shows poor judgment.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and I was a smoker when I started my job. I was upfront about it. I never smoked during work and the cigarettes and lighter stayed in my car. I didn't smoke on my way to work (or in my house) so it wasn't on my clothes. The only place it would be an issue was in my car but I rarely drove the kids in my car. If she's being honest about being a smoker I'd trust her to not do it during working hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could lie about smoking and youd never know.

Id hire her. She knows not to smoke near your kids or right before work.

You can smell the smoke residue. It clings to their hair, clothes and belongings.

[Anonymous]

Never.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Second and third-hand smoke are real things.

[Anonymous]

No, I would not. No perfume can hide the smell of smoke, and I hate that smell even if she did promise not to smoke at work and kept that promise. Deal breaker for me.

[Anonymous]

No.

Even if she only smokes outside on her own hours, the smells travels and I wouldn't want my house or children smelling like an ashtray.

[Anonymous]

no. i HATE the smell of cigarettes and it clings to people's hair and clothes. If she was a very occassional smoker (as in, once in a while when having a beer) then maybe, but if it's regular habitual smoking then she will smell like it and i just don't want that next to my kids all day, especially during the baby years.

[Anonymous]

If she smokes while having a beer then "maybe" you'll consider it? As if any nanny would say "oh I smoke occasionally. When I drink I'll have a cigarette." In an interview? Get real. You need a reality check.