Is it acceptable for my charges to walk in the door at or a couple minutes past my end time?

[Anonymous]

Getting a little frustrated the the family I work for shows up almost exactly at 6 or a couple minutes past. By the time I get out the door it's about 6:10-6:15 today. Today they are going to be 15 minutes late. The 15 minutes late thing happens about once a month and its starting to get on my nerves, especially since I'm early 5 minutes everyday. I'm planning on having a talk, but wasn't sure if I am out of line. I work 10 hours a day without overtime, I know, and am very flexible usually. I just want to be out at the time I'm supposed to be! Am I overreacting?

[Anonymous]

No. Tell them you have other commitments. You do. Yourself.

[Anonymous]

you're doing yourself a huge disservice by working without overtime.

[Anonymous]

No one respects a doormat.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the kind of relationship you all have, but I see no harm in just casually and politely saying that "I have noticed you are arriving 10-15 minutes after my end time more frequently lately. Would it be helpful if we extend my workday by 15 minutes, or do you feel like its still doable to for me to leave at 6? I'm fine either way, but it is important to me that I have a consistent and predictable end time."

[Anonymous]

If being late happens once a month or so, I would probably let it go if I loved my job and was being paid well. I know many people will disagree w/me, but good jobs are hard to find these days so I wouldn't sweat an occasional 15 min.

If I wasn't too happy w/my job, however, I would probably address it.

[Anonymous]

I would never offer to extend my end time...I would tell them you have commitments every night and need to be out the door on time. 10 hours is long enough. Nannies stop being so freaking passive.

[Anonymous]

not to split hairs, but charges are the children you watch. not mb/db. I had no idea what your subject line meant before clicking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:not to split hairs, but charges are the children you watch. not mb/db. I had no idea what your subject line meant before clicking.

Exactly what I was going to say.

[Anonymous]

I have the same issue and it doesn't matter how many times ive said something.

[Anonymous]

It is acceptable for them to walk in right at your end time. But it is also acceptable for you to immediately leave once they come in, no reason for you to give up another 15 minutes. You can start leaving a log of what you did that day for them to see, so that you don't have to spend that extra time catching them up. If they would rather have that extra time at the end, then you can offer to extend your working hours by 10 minutes a day, for an extra hour's pay a week.

[Anonymous]

One of my families, the MB walks in usually right at my end time. But if she happens to be home even 4 minutes after that time, she is apologizing as she comes in. She just pays me and as she is getting it ready for me, I let her know about anything unusual. If I choose to stay longer to talk, like for another 5 minutes, then that is on me and I don't expect to be paid for it but I like to socialize for a few minutes before leaving sometimes. She never holds me there longer, or if she does, she pays me for an extra 15 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is acceptable for them to walk in right at your end time. But it is also acceptable for you to immediately leave once they come in, no reason for you to give up another 15 minutes. You can start leaving a log of what you did that day for them to see, so that you don't have to spend that extra time catching them up. If they would rather have that extra time at the end, then you can offer to extend your working hours by 10 minutes a day, for an extra hour's pay a week.

This.

[Anonymous]

With every family I have worked with I have never made a big deal about them being late every once in a while. I understand that stuff comes up and it is hard to get home at a specific time. Keep in mind that these jobs are what pays your pay check. The only reason I would get upset is if I felt like I was getting underpaid on top of them being late on a regular basis or if it was longer than 15 minutes. My last family was also maybe 15 minutes late once a month but they knew I was flexible with them and so they were very flexible with my schedule too. An example of this being one morning I had to run to the courthouse to get my marriage license because it was only open during business hours. My employer just told me to come in at noon and she didn't even count it towards my vacation time. In my case I also got a huge Christmas bonus because they were so happy with me.

I guess if you feel like it is getting out of hand or if they are taking advantage of you then sure go ahead and say something, but if they are otherwise treating you very well just let it go. Also, it is just part of the job to hang around another 10 minutes after you are off to chat. This is the time you get to build your relationship with mb and db. They will like you much more if you take the time at the end of the day to tell them all the cute things their child did that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the kind of relationship you all have, but I see no harm in just casually and politely saying that "I have noticed you are arriving 10-15 minutes after my end time more frequently lately. Would it be helpful if we extend my workday by 15 minutes, or do you feel like its still doable to for me to leave at 6? I'm fine either way, but it is important to me that I have a consistent and predictable end time."

+1 This is a great idea! I would say that it is important to have a predictable end time for other commitments.