Appropriate amount of notice.

[Anonymous]

I have a contract that specifies a term of employment from June 2012-June 2014. After June 14, two weeks notice is required from either of us. It also specifies that I am an at-will employee and that either party can end the relationship prior to June 2014, but I must stay until an appropriate replacement has been identified, within reason.

What would you define as a reasonable amount of time to find a placement? I've made it a year, but this job is draining the life out of me and I need to move on. I genuinely like my employers, but the hours are too taxing. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I just realized that I posted this on the wrong board. I apologize! Will repost.

[Anonymous]

Its not enforceable that you stay on until they choose a replacement even if you signed this. (Yes, ignore the crazy nanny who will come on insisting that nannies and parents can sue each other for quitting or firing. Sigh.)

If you can swing 4 weeks notice this is doubling the standard 2 weeks notice. If not just do 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Can you financially afford to be suddenly fired the minute you give her notice, OP? She might do that if she's pissed at you for quitting. Some of them think they own your loyalty until THEY are done with you.

[Anonymous]

Yes I can. I always keep a month or so's salary in savings for emergencies. I've been burned before and learned my lesson!

[Anonymous]

You can give her 30 seconds notice. You'll get a bad referenve but if you have only been there a month, you don't use them. They can also give you 30 second notice. If you are miserable, just eave and do not look back.

[Anonymous]

Can you talk to them about the hours? If the days are ling, maybe they can find a PT nanny for four hours in the evening, or for one full day a week or something. If you truly like them, I would have an honest conversation with them and see what you all can work out together.

[Anonymous]

Lawyer here. The clause requiring nanny to stay until a replacement is found may be enforceable. No one is attempting to interfere with the at will nanny's ability to earn a living by precluding her from quitting to take other work. They are just requiring that she provide a certain amount of notice before doing so.

That is not to say that the parents would necessarily bother to sue, but they could, and they could win. If they win, the nanny will be liable for any extra costs the parents incur prior to expiration of whatever the court deems a reasonable period in which to find a replacement.

OP, you've put in a year and should not risk a bad reference. I'd suggest giving the family four weeks notice. You might also offer to help them with a job posting or by contacting agencies. Obviously you are not required to do that, but it shows consideration for their needs and it also shows that you take the contract seriously. Those things will make the family appreciate you even more, increasing the odds of getting a glowing reference down the road and decreasing the chances that they end up feeling like you breached the agreement.

And in the unlikely event that the relationship ends badly anyway, taking those extra steps would probably help you establish that four weeks was a reasonable amount of time under the circumstances for the family to hire a replacement.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I appreciate it. I'm going to sit down with them after we're all back from vacation and see how we can make these hours work for everyone. I was expecting somewhere in the realm of 55-60 when I took the position, but it's consistently in the 70-75 range. A part time nanny, even if she just handled bedtime routines and the late evening shift, would keep me around for another year or two!

They really are good employers, they just work demanding jobs and expect everyone else to be able to maintain the same schedule that they maintain. I would never want to leave them in a lurch, but I haven't been able to really maintain a life outside of work since beginning the position. I hope we can work something out for everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice, everyone. I appreciate it. I'm going to sit down with them after we're all back from vacation and see how we can make these hours work for everyone. I was expecting somewhere in the realm of 55-60 when I took the position, but it's consistently in the 70-75 range. A part time nanny, even if she just handled bedtime routines and the late evening shift, would keep me around for another year or two!

They really are good employers, they just work demanding jobs and expect everyone else to be able to maintain the same schedule that they maintain. I would never want to leave them in a lurch, but I haven't been able to really maintain a life outside of work since beginning the position. I hope we can work something out for everyone!

70-75 hours a week for a year.
Wow. Just wow. Hope you were at least well paid for your incredible sacrifice.

[Anonymous]

No one who expects you to work 70-75 hours is a decent employer. I hope they are psying you OT. even so, I would tell to hire a 2nd shift nanny so you can have a life. Why on eatth do people like this have children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the advice, everyone. I appreciate it. I'm going to sit down with them after we're all back from vacation and see how we can make these hours work for everyone. I was expecting somewhere in the realm of 55-60 when I took the position, but it's consistently in the 70-75 range. A part time nanny, even if she just handled bedtime routines and the late evening shift, would keep me around for another year or two!

They really are good employers, they just work demanding jobs and expect everyone else to be able to maintain the same schedule that they maintain. I would never want to leave them in a lurch, but I haven't been able to really maintain a life outside of work since beginning the position. I hope we can work something out for everyone!

MB here. It is so nice to see a nanny who tries to balance her needs with the needs of the family. A part time nanny sounds like a great idea and I bet the parents will be grateful for the chance to work with you on a solution. I have both a full time nanny and a part time nanny myself, and it works well for the nannies, for us, and for the kids. The kids especially seem to enjoy having different caregivers with different styles, favorite activities, etc. around.

[Anonymous]

OP, here.
MB at 01:08: What set-up do you have with your PT nanny, if you don't mind me asking? I'm brainstorming right now, and I'm curious what has worked with other families.

Any other MBs: would you be open to hiring a part-time nanny for 15 hours a week to give your nanny working 70-75 hours a week a schedule closer to the contracted 50-55, or would you rather redefine the hours and hire a nanny willing to work the new contract? Both are valid options, I'm just trying to make a gameplan for both possible outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Any other MBs: would you be open to hiring a part-time nanny for 15 hours a week to give your nanny working 70-75 hours a week a schedule closer to the contracted 50-55, or would you rather redefine the hours and hire a nanny willing to work the new contract? Both are valid options, I'm just trying to make a gameplan for both possible outcomes.

I have never needed two nannies before, but if I did, I'd be open to a PT nanny to reduce my FT nanny's load. I'd probably want to offer a PT nanny more than 15 hours, though, to get a good stable candidate. So, if I needed 70 hours, I'd probably hire a 25 hr and a 45 hr nanny, if scheduling made that possible.

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