Seriously?!

[Anonymous]

Here's my situation...

I don't mind taking care of sick children. It's part of my job. I am currently a live-out nanny.

I have been really sick myself for the past few days, as have my 3 charges (all 5 and under). I have PTO, but since both MB and DB do not want to use any of their sick or vacation days (they each get 25 total), I have to come in. They said that they want to save them for their own personal trips without the kids.

I will be taking care of the kids and the house while they are on their personal vacations.

Oh, I am also still responsible for doing their housework while I am at their house sick.

This is just a vent. I'm just really upset.

[Anonymous]

So when are you supposed to take your PTO?

[Anonymous]

OP Here, I have to take my PTO when they are on vacation. If they can't find any backup care (grandparents), I will have to take care of the kids. Otherwise, I will take whatever days they have left over at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Don't ASK to use a sick day, TELL them you are using a sick day. It's not a request, its a fact. They need to realize that.

[Anonymous]

Wait, they go on vacation and designate it as your vacation, but if back up care isn't arranged you have to watch the kids on your vacation?? Please tell me I've misunderstood you. If not, why the hell would you let them do this? Do you get paid your regular weekly rate or are you compensated for the 24 hour care while they are gone?

[Anonymous]

OP here - Oh, I am compensated for the 24 hour care, so it's some nice money. They can usually get the backup care. I'm just mad that I can't take a sick day.

[Anonymous]

It's disrespectful of your employers to not allow you your allotted PTO, especially if you'd like to use a day or two to recuperate.

I'd like to say that you should just not show up one day as a "screw you" to them. But not even I would have the balls to do that. I'm not much of a confrontational person, and something like that would be way out of my nature for this type of situation.

That being said, you should definitely have a talk with your employers about this. PTO is there for a reason, and you should utilize it when and how you see fit. Let your employers know that it's not okay for them to take advantage of you in this way for their own selfish desires.

If they don't want to take a day off from work themselves, then they need to make provisions for back-up childcare.
It's that simple.

[Anonymous]

Your MB doesn't ask her boss when she needs a sick day, she informs him/her. You need to do the same, you're only reinforcing their belief that you are somehow not as worthy of respect as they are by internalizing their horrible treatment of you (e.g. "I have to go in."). Be an adult here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Oh, I am compensated for the 24 hour care, so it's some nice money. They can usually get the backup care. I'm just mad that I can't take a sick day.

Do you see how selfish they are? It's hard to feel bad for people like you when you LET these people get away with it. They get 25 days and want them all to thereself and don't care about you getting a (legit) sick day because they don't want the inconvience and want everything their way. You need to base your vacation around them, when it's good for them.. Don't you see how unfair that is? You should be compensated for the 24 hour care so it's not them being generous. If they were generous they would understand that people do get sick and a sick day or two is fair. I'd have a serious talk with them. Stop letting them get away with using you, forreal.