Spinoff-- What's your cancellation policy?
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Anonymous
| After reading about the nanny whose overnight was canceled, I got to wondering about what other nannies have as a cancellation policy. I have not had one in the past, but I'm moving and plan on setting a policy on this, in addition to having contract, etc. So, what is a reasonable cancellation policy, and what is yours if you have one? |
Anonymous
| I know this would be a stretch for many parents/nannies, but I get paid in advance. Been doing it for years, and haven't yet had anyone not do it for me. No need for concern about being paid on time. |
Anonymous
| I know you didn't ask specifically, but just adding my voice to say I don't have a cancellation policy. I've been lucky that I haven't needed one. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| Maybe it's a matter of "natural consequences", and you don't let them reserve your time, unless they give you at least partial payment in advance. Or you can wait until they do their first f..k up and then start them on your new and improved policy. |
Anonymous
| I don't have a policy that I make known. I also go the natural consequences route. One, maybe two slip ups if I like you or your kid, after that I put you on my B list. So cancellations with no notice, being inconsiderate about my time, or anything else that makes sitting for you a pain will get you on that list. The people on that list I don't confirm jobs for them more than a week in advance, if something better comes up I may be quicker to cancel, and they get last dibs on Friday/Saturday nights. |
Anonymous
| MB here. I wouldn't pay in advance and I don't know anyone here who would. That said, I would definitely pay a serious cancellation fee and I think every sitter should have one and enforce it. |
Anonymous
| I make it clear when I accept any babysitting gig that I need to get paid regardless. Most families understand I am clearing my schedule for their family and easily could have worked for another. Luckily, I've never had a family cancel but I would expect to be paid no matter what, especially if its weekend and/or evening hours. My normal nanny position I have a guaranteed pay so I don't have to worry about that. |
Anonymous
+1. What do people consider to be sufficient notice to cancel without paying a fee? |
Anonymous
I would think anything less than 48 hours is too late to cancel. Honestly, at that point I've likely turned down other opportunities as most parents contact me a week or 2 before the sitting date, but the advanced notice gives me time to salvage my Friday/Saturday night which I appreciate. |
Anonymous
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I don't do much work outside of my normal weekly schedule so I don't really have a cancellation policy. If I am really counting on earning that extra money, then I will let them know if for some reason they have to cancel, to see if they can schedule some other extra work for me to do instead.
I have never had anyone cancel on me before, but because I am not actively seeking extra hours, I don't feel like they would have wasted my time (like preventing me from getting other work when I accepted their hours). I would probably just look at is as another night off to do my own thing. If I did do more occasional work, I probably would have a cancellation policy in place. |
Anonymous
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I don't have a cancelation policy as I don't really go out seeking extra work on top of my full time nanny position. If works offered and I can do it, then great but if notI don't go out looking for it. I've only had two people cancel in the 8yrs I have been in this area. One with 12hrs notice(she told me at 8am and I was due to start at 8pm) as her daughter was sick so she had decided not to go out. Another one gave me 48hrs notice because her old babysitter was back in town and decided to use her instead( I thought that was a bit rude but plenty of notice and I didn't need the money as such)
If I was going to have a policy I would probably stipulate there has to be no less than 24hrs notice. I wouldprob waiver it for families where the kids get sick etc as often its impossible to give over 24hrs in those situations. |
Anonymous
As stated, most nannies and parents would never think of advance payment. I was simply sharing that's what I do, and have never had a parent who wasn't happy to comply. Many of them even say that it makes their job easier by dealing with it only once a month. |
Anonymous
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I ended up becoming unavailable on a certain day because of too many cancellations by one family. At least twice they cancelled after I'd already scheduled a sitter for my child and even after I'd left my house to go to theirs. Not cool. I never asked for payment for hours not worked, but I was honest about why I wouldn't take anymore weekday work from them.
I am guaranteed hours at my current position. If they cancel a weekend babysitting job, it's not a big deal. I'm not working for anyone else and I'm happy to have time for weekend stuff. |
Anonymous
| Wow. I would not work with a sitter who had a cancellation policy. But for sitting I prefer to work with those doing it for extra pocket money - like a neighborhood woman or a grad student. I see it as totally different from a nanny situation where she depends exclusively on pay from me and so I guarantee hours. I am sure for some sitters it is part of their "pay the bills" money - that just isn't the market I am in it interested in. |