What is expected?

[Anonymous]

What is expected if a nanny (with family for only 6 months) is pregnant at the same time as the boss? The boss hired her specifically to help with this phase of life (newborn + toddler) and cannot afford to pay for nanny to take time off plus additional help while nanny is gone.

Has anyone had experience with a situation like this?

[Anonymous]

There's no blueprint for your dilemma. What would you like to do?

[Anonymous]

I can't think of any "expectation" other than giving her 4+ weeks notice if you plan on letting her go and a stellar letter of reference.

[Anonymous]

Like PP said there is no standard for this but many people in a variety of jobs (including nannies) don't get paid maternity leave. If an MB doesn't need the nanny during her maternity leave the expectation is that she should still pay the nanny. However, if the nanny is taking her own maternity leave she doesn't need to be paid for that time beyond whatever PTO she has to use.

[Anonymous]

I thought I was in the wrong forum and was guessing DH got you both pregnant.

[Anonymous]

Nannies are not protected employees. So you can fire her for becoming pregnant. It was her life choice to get pregnant, and if she cannot fulfill the job she was hired to do- get rid of her and get someone who can!

[Anonymous]

Wow - that really is a moral dilemma as well as a very practical problem! Do you really want to kick another pregnant woman to the curb? But she was hired to take care of your toddler which she will not be able to do... I don't see how you have a choice but to NOT pay her for her maternity leave and hire someone to help you but promise to hire nanny back after eight-twelve weeks.

Does Nanny have childcare for her newborn? Maybe she has no intention of returning to work for you after her baby is born.

What does the nanny say about the situation?

[Anonymous]

Do you mean pay for the Nanny to take time off during her pregnancy to go to Dr. appts, etc.? I think that wouldn't be fair to you as her employer. If she needs to see her Dr. or do any other pregnancy-related things, she shouldn't expect to take PAID time off for them.

And when she has her baby, and has to take time off for that, she also shouldn't expect to be paid for the time she will need off as well.

Whether or not you want to keep her job for her is up to you.
Will you be okay with her bringing her new baby along to work? Will she have someone on hand to watch the baby for her while she watches yours??

These issues must be addressed.

Also, you are in the predicament where you must find a substitute nanny as well.