Paying PT babysitter for sick time

[Anonymous]

I'm interested to know how others handle paying a regular PT babysitter (15 hours a week) on sick days. We pay her on days when we don't need her (out of town etc) and agreed that we wouldn't pay her on days when she takes vacation but now I'm wondering if we were wrong to not pay her on days when she is sick. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Paying some sick leave within reason, is appropriate. You don't want her coming in sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying some sick leave within reason, is appropriate. You don't want her coming in sick.

+1 most of the time when I get sick, it's something I've caught from the children or family I work with. If they docked my pay after getting me sick I'd be out of there.

[Anonymous]

With such a very part time schedule, it isn't standard to provide sick time.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I don't think paid PTO for part-time work is standard, but we do it. Our nanny works 2 days a week - we give her 4 days PTO, to use however she wants (sick, vacation, staring at the wall, whatever . . .)

My reasoning was, in no particular order (1) hoping to attract better candidates, especially for a part-time position; (2) I didn't want the nanny coming to work sick, and getting baby sick, because she needed the money; and (3) just seemed like the nice thing to do. FWIW, we have a great nanny.

[Anonymous]

PPs are correct. It isn't standard but it helps to attract and keep good nannies and it goes a long way towards building good-will. That said, in my 10-15 hr/wk job I do not expect or ask for sick pay.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's not really standard for part time, unless maybe it was 30-35 years (which is very close to full time..) but 15 hours, no you don't have too. I mean if you can afford it and really like your sitter then go for it.