My husband is going to be taking a leave of absence from work to help out at home this summer and we are planning to let our nanny go. How much notice should we give? We planned on 4 weeks and to help her find a job during that time. I must say though, I di worry she wont be as attentive if she knows she is losing her job. Is 2 weeks too little notice?
Appreciate any guidance here... |
How long was she helping you? How many hours a wk? |
She has been with us for just over two years, for 50 hours per week. |
And you would be comfortable giving her only two weeks of notice??
You should give her at least four weeks notice, more if you possibly can. It can take several months to find a new position for nannies who want to be sure they're committing to for a long-term position. If she's been with you for that long, for that many hours a week, I can guarantee you she will have as much fun as possible with the kids before her final day. There is no need to worry about her becoming inattentive (unless she's been a crappy nanny all along, in which case why did you keep her?). |
How would you feel if she only gave YOU two weeks notice? |
OP, Seeing how long she helped you, tell her now. Sometimes it takes more than 30 days to find to right position.
Try to put yourself in her place. |
+1 |
MB here. If your nanny has been with you for two years and you're letting her go for no fault of hers then I think two weeks is too little notice.
Four weeks is good. More is generous if you can do it, but you do run the risk of her finding something else and needing to start another position before you're ready to be without her. That's a tough balance. One thing that can be tricky (I assume) for nannies is that there is a lot of turnover at the end of summer when kids will be starting school and nannies aren't needed anymore. So (in our area at least) there is a surplus of nannies in August, but a dearth of nannies in February. If there is a way that you can time when you'll be letting her go so that the timing for her might not put her at a disadvantage that might be worth considering. |
This is not fear!!
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2 weeks is too short for the situation you describe, OP. You may want to consider offering a bonus for good work throughout the last 4 weeks though. This way she has an incentive to stay on her toes but she also gets the advance notice. |
Seems like a bonus is in order, if OP can muster it. |
I think 2 weeks is not enough given that she's done nothing to deserve being let go, and you have more notice to give. In a pinch I could understand it, but if a family who I'd dedicated myself to for 2 years knew they'd be letting me go but gave me as little notice as possible, I'd be extremely upset. If I could take the hit, I'd quit immediately just to screw you. |
I can't believe that op mb is even thinking of screwing a nanny who has worked with her for two years. |
Two weeks is far too little assuming you have been happy with her over the last two years. I would stick with your original plan of 4 weeks notice, but a couple more would be great to give her as much time as possible.
If she is a great, dedicated nanny you won't have to worry about her slacking off after you giver her notice. A true professional who values her relationship with the family she's been working for (again, assuming it's been a good working relationship) will continue to deliver her same level of caregiving as she has for the last two years. I've received notice that my MB will be leaving her job to stay home for awhile. It hasn't changed the quality of my work one bit. Hopefully your nanny will also continue to provide great care for your kids. |