Nanny is not being truthful

[Anonymous]

Need advice here on how to react to this. We cover our nanny's full transportation costs on top of everything else. She first takes metro and then a bus at White Flint. When she started she told us the bus fare is $1.70. At the end of every week she gives me a card with her hours multiplied by rate and transportation expense. So, she used to put her metro expense and then $1.70*2 for the bus ride. Recently $1.70 became $1.76. I thought it was a mistake and asked her about it. She become defensive and said something really weird like the bus driver is asking her to pay a different fare then what the website said. After she left I went online and according to DOT her fare is $1.10 since she transferred from the metro to the bus. Yes, I know, it's like one dollar a day. Not a big deal. I just feel a little hurt. Why would she tell me an incorrect amount? Not sure if I should get upset about it or pretend I did not notice this at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Need advice here on how to react to this. We cover our nanny's full transportation costs on top of everything else. She first takes metro and then a bus at White Flint. When she started she told us the bus fare is $1.70. At the end of every week she gives me a card with her hours multiplied by rate and transportation expense. So, she used to put her metro expense and then $1.70*2 for the bus ride. Recently $1.70 became $1.76. I thought it was a mistake and asked her about it. She become defensive and said something really weird like the bus driver is asking her to pay a different fare then what the website said. After she left I went online and according to DOT her fare is $1.10 since she transferred from the metro to the bus. Yes, I know, it's like one dollar a day. Not a big deal. I just feel a little hurt. Why would she tell me an incorrect amount? Not sure if I should get upset about it or pretend I did not notice this at all?

She is dishonest and took advantage of your ignorance of transportation rates. Do you want someone who you cannot trust taking care of your children?

[Anonymous]

OP, does she have a smartrip card? If not, the fares are higher.

If you think she is being dishonest, I would calculate the fair, buy a smartrip, then reload it every month (if you can do that online).

[Anonymous]

That is, unless you deem this a fireable offense.

[Anonymous]

Approach this as though she has been honest - maybe she has - and it's the driver who's been overcharging her. Tell her you went online and noticed her fare should only be $1.10 since she transfers and that you would be happy to load a pass for a month's worth of commutes if she'd like and if she thinks that would clarify things with the driver.

As with everything in life, assume the best of her until you REALLY know otherwise.

[Anonymous]

The only way to confirm this, is to travel the route yourself. If she takes a ride-on, then the fare would be a little different. Another option is to just pay her a little more per hour, so that her metro expenses aren't your concern.

[Anonymous]

This is really weird. Why would she lie about a few cents? There must be some confusion. I agree with PP, the bus driver is probably charging her the wrong amount

[Anonymous]

I took a bus once and had a driver make me pay more. Maybe he knows she is nieve.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. She pays with the SmartTrip card. Is it possible for a driver to overcharge her then? Would no the right amount just be automatically deducted from the card?

Also, for those who know, when a person is transferring from metro to the bus and paying with the SmartTrip card, would the right fare of $1.10 be automatically deducted or a passenger would have to present some proof they are transferring from the metro?


Thanks for your responses. I will try to assume the best and see what happens although I am tempted to travel the route myself and see what happens

[Anonymous]

It's automatic. The card knows it's a transfer.

[Anonymous]

If she's trying to jip you out of a buck a day then she's a petty thief and i'd fire her ungrateful ass. Or give her a smaller Christmas bonus and tell her why.

[Anonymous]

Was the transfer deduction always working this way? I mean her SmartTrip card is old. She got that card like 4 years ago

OP

[Anonymous]

Why are you paying her commuting costs? Does your boss pay you for your commute? That is strange and unnecessary and I am a nanny. I would never expect my boss to pay me to get to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you paying her commuting costs? Does your boss pay you for your commute? That is strange and unnecessary and I am a nanny. I would never expect my boss to pay me to get to work.

She is our first and the only nanny so far. When I was looking for a nanny 3 years ago I had no idea of how the whole thing works and was under impression from her that paying commuting costs is common. To answer your question - no, the company I work for does not cover my commuting costs. They however pay for my health insurance partially and do 401 matching which is something I am not doing for her ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you paying her commuting costs? Does your boss pay you for your commute? That is strange and unnecessary and I am a nanny. I would never expect my boss to pay me to get to work.

I agree with this. Her commuting costs are also really low, it shouldn't be an issue. You could also up her pay $20/week to cover it. Needing to fiber it to the debt makes you seem cheap and her seem petty.
If she's taking the kids out while on duty you would reimburse for that, but getting to and from work is her responsibility