Open-ended notice period -- what's reasonable?

[Anonymous]

Work agreement states that should nanny elect to terminate employment, she agrees to remain with family until suitable replacement is found, as long as parents are using their reasonable best efforts to replace her.

If parents elect to end employment for any reason other than for-cause, they agree to give nanny three weeks written notice.

What is a reasonable amount of time to expect parents to replace nanny? Parents have stated that mid-October is not long enough.

[Anonymous]

3 weeks if that is the notice they give her.

[Anonymous]

They can't find someone with more than two and a half month's notice? That seems implausible.

I have no idea what a "reasonable best effort" is legally but in practical terms I think that having a month or two of notice is more than enough time to consider the nanny's leave date a "deadline" for identifying a replacement.

It's not like nannies are extraordinarily hard to find.

[Anonymous]

MB here - it's far better to have a specified term than an open ended clause, unfortunately. But if the agreement specifies three weeks for parental notice to nanny then it seems perfectly reasonable for the nanny to give the same.

I actually think 3 weeks is a generous/professional amount of notice anyway. It's long enough to give them real time and options (if only to line up temporary agency coverage) but not so awfully long as to put the nanny out of consideration for her next job (or put undue hardship on the next employer).

If you mean that you've given notice now, for October departure, and the parents say that's not enough then that's completely ridiculous. To ask anyone to give 3 months notice, in any profession, is absurd. But I'm not sure that's what your post meant - a little confusing.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I apologize for the confusion. I'm trying to keep things as just-the-facts-ma'am as possible given the occasionally volatile nature of this board, but this is the only place I know to find the MB perspective.

I gave notice and said that I could stay until mid-October at the absolute latest (although hoping they find a replacement much sooner). MB countered and said that she couldn't reasonably be expected to find a replacement by October, and I would need to stay until a replacement is found, however long that takes.

[Anonymous]

An MB here and I think that's ridiculous that she can't find a replacement before October. She just doesn't want to bother. I think 3 weeks is more than reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I apologize for the confusion. I'm trying to keep things as just-the-facts-ma'am as possible given the occasionally volatile nature of this board, but this is the only place I know to find the MB perspective.

I gave notice and said that I could stay until mid-October at the absolute latest (although hoping they find a replacement much sooner). MB countered and said that she couldn't reasonably be expected to find a replacement by October, and I would need to stay until a replacement is found, however long that takes.

Thanks for clarifying.

She's nuts. There is no world in which an employer can tell a nanny that 3 months notice is insufficient and you have to stay however long they want. Absurd.

I'm an MB. If I did this to my nanny I'd expect her to quit on the spot, that day. It's just ridiculous. I'm sorry. If my nanny gave me three months notice? I'd cry with gratitude and relief.

Presumably you have something lined up to have given notice in the first place? If I were you, and if I could swing it, I'd give her two weeks and take the summer off. Or go work for an agency for a few weeks.

It's really a ridiculous and unfair request.

[Anonymous]

You gave way more notice than is customary. Your employer should be grateful that she has so much time to find a replacement. Given the fact that in many states (maybe in all?) nannies are at-will employees you can leave at any time.

I would reiterate that you have provided them with 12-13 weeks notice which is more than enough time to find a replacement. Stay firm with your final end date.

[Anonymous]

That MB is ridiculous. In the future, do not sign anything saying that. She can not hold you hostage.

[Anonymous]

That's not fair. So they can kick you to the curb in 3 weeks but you have to give them months? Wow.. I hope you didn't sign that contract with a smile. Lmao.

[Anonymous]

An MB here and I think that's ridiculous that she can't find a replacement before October. She just doesn't want to bother. I think 3 weeks is more than reasonable.

Another MB here and I completely agree with this.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. I was beginning to worry that I would either have to work forever or could be sued for leaving before they deemed it okay. :/

[Anonymous]

You're not an indentured servant OP - they can't sue you. Do not doubt yourself. And in your next contract specify the terms!

[Anonymous]

Your MB sounds crazy and selfish, no wonder youre leaving. She gives you 3 wks notice and you're expected to give her months????

[Anonymous]

Nannies are at will employees, you can be fired for no reason and you can quit with no notice even if you sign a contract. Nanny contracts are not valid in court, that's why you should call them nanny agreements.