Is it ever okay to shift a nanny's hours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a few days?! No problem.
Nanny childcare is usually flexible if there is good communication and relationships.

\


Wrong. BIG PROBLEM. I am not a "flexible nanny" and never billed myself as such. I am never late for work, never have called in sick or asked for time off. My employers honor the schedule they set and so do I.

Asking for "favors" breaks down the communication and relationship between employer and employee.

You are 100% WRONG here, PP.

If I usually show up at 8am to greet MB, since DB leaves at 7am, and MB has a 6am flight, I show up at 7am when needed. BFD.

Likewise, when I have an appointment that can only happen on weekdays, I try to do it first thing or last thing of the day so MB or DB doesn't miss more work than necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is something you should have addressed in your employment agreement with your nanny. Ours says that nanny will work 40 hours per week at $x/hour, and that hours will typically be from a to b, except that, on occasional circumstances and subject to nanny's availability, those hours may change from b to c for a given day. This typically happens only a few times a year, and our nannies have always been fine with it. That said, we also are fine when, for example, nanny says I want to go to the doctor in the morning, is it ok if I come in an hour later than usual and stay an hour later at night.

The fact remains that this is NOT their agreement, and that OPs nanny doesn't ask for favors with regard to her schedule. So would it be okay for OP to do what you do, even though it is in contradiction with her agreement with her nanny?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

I disagree. I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.

This. She's not your friend, she's your employee. It is inappropriate to ask your employee for favors that are in direct contradiction to the work agreement.

You put it like this: "Larla, I need you to stay 3 hours late on Thursday, next Monday, and next Wednesday. If you are able to do that, you can either have a long day and get paid for all those hours, or if you would prefer a shorter day, you can come in at X:00 and be paid for just two hours of overtime. If you can't stay late at all, we'll stick to the regular schedule. Which would you prefer?"

Tell me which option MB wants in this scenario. I would make this same pitch to my nanny and hope that she didn't choose coming in late, because it messes up my whole day. But, I would worry about her doing an 11-hour day to begin with, and would want to 1) give her the option for the overtime, and 2) give her a way to both get the overtime and not be so tired at the end of it.

If you're the kind of nanny who never wants to do extra hours for any reason at all, and you will feel pressured and insulted if someone asks, you need to say that up front. It's not a common sentiment among 40-hour-a-week nannies. Every nanny I have had also takes babysitting gigs on the side for extra cash, and always wants me to ask before exploring other options because she prefers to make time-and-a-half for work she's looking for anyway.

yep, right of first refusal to the FT nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

I disagree. I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.

This. She's not your friend, she's your employee. It is inappropriate to ask your employee for favors that are in direct contradiction to the work agreement.

You put it like this: "Larla, I need you to stay 3 hours late on Thursday, next Monday, and next Wednesday. If you are able to do that, you can either have a long day and get paid for all those hours, or if you would prefer a shorter day, you can come in at X:00 and be paid for just two hours of overtime. If you can't stay late at all, we'll stick to the regular schedule. Which would you prefer?"

Tell me which option MB wants in this scenario. I would make this same pitch to my nanny and hope that she didn't choose coming in late, because it messes up my whole day. But, I would worry about her doing an 11-hour day to begin with, and would want to 1) give her the option for the overtime, and 2) give her a way to both get the overtime and not be so tired at the end of it.

If you're the kind of nanny who never wants to do extra hours for any reason at all, and you will feel pressured and insulted if someone asks, you need to say that up front. It's not a common sentiment among 40-hour-a-week nannies. Every nanny I have had also takes babysitting gigs on the side for extra cash, and always wants me to ask before exploring other options because she prefers to make time-and-a-half for work she's looking for anyway.

This isn't about not wanting to work extra hours. No one here said that it would be unreasonable to ask your nanny if she's available for some extra hours. What is not okay is what OP planned to do- shifting hours around outside of the agreed upon schedule, resulting in nanny receiving less OT than she should. If you're worry is truly burnout, let your nanny come in an hour late, but that doesn't mean you don't have to pay for the extra hours you've scheduled. OP's nanny has guaranteed hours. If OP tells her to come in late, she is still paid, right? If OP asks nanny to stay late, she should obviously pay for that time right? The fact that both would happen in the same day changes nothing.

Ah DCUM wannabe nannies burning bridges for that extra couple bucks. wonder how old this one is? 23?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a few days?! No problem.
Nanny childcare is usually flexible if there is good communication and relationships.

\


Wrong. BIG PROBLEM. I am not a "flexible nanny" and never billed myself as such. I am never late for work, never have called in sick or asked for time off. My employers honor the schedule they set and so do I.

Asking for "favors" breaks down the communication and relationship between employer and employee.

You are 100% WRONG here, PP.

If I usually show up at 8am to greet MB, since DB leaves at 7am, and MB has a 6am flight, I show up at 7am when needed. BFD.

Likewise, when I have an appointment that can only happen on weekdays, I try to do it first thing or last thing of the day so MB or DB doesn't miss more work than necessary.

This is your arrangement, and you seem okay with it. That doesn't change the fact that it is NOT OP's arrangement, and it would be inappropriate to ask because the nanny would undoubtedly feel backed into a corner to agree to something she never intended to do. It is said over and over on here that if nannies want guaranteed hours it must be discussed up front, and we are cautioned against trying to renegotiate mid contract. Stop being hypocrites! OP has an agreement and can't change the rules on the fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

I disagree. I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.

This. She's not your friend, she's your employee. It is inappropriate to ask your employee for favors that are in direct contradiction to the work agreement.

You put it like this: "Larla, I need you to stay 3 hours late on Thursday, next Monday, and next Wednesday. If you are able to do that, you can either have a long day and get paid for all those hours, or if you would prefer a shorter day, you can come in at X:00 and be paid for just two hours of overtime. If you can't stay late at all, we'll stick to the regular schedule. Which would you prefer?"

Tell me which option MB wants in this scenario. I would make this same pitch to my nanny and hope that she didn't choose coming in late, because it messes up my whole day. But, I would worry about her doing an 11-hour day to begin with, and would want to 1) give her the option for the overtime, and 2) give her a way to both get the overtime and not be so tired at the end of it.

If you're the kind of nanny who never wants to do extra hours for any reason at all, and you will feel pressured and insulted if someone asks, you need to say that up front. It's not a common sentiment among 40-hour-a-week nannies. Every nanny I have had also takes babysitting gigs on the side for extra cash, and always wants me to ask before exploring other options because she prefers to make time-and-a-half for work she's looking for anyway.

This isn't about not wanting to work extra hours. No one here said that it would be unreasonable to ask your nanny if she's available for some extra hours. What is not okay is what OP planned to do- shifting hours around outside of the agreed upon schedule, resulting in nanny receiving less OT than she should. If you're worry is truly burnout, let your nanny come in an hour late, but that doesn't mean you don't have to pay for the extra hours you've scheduled. OP's nanny has guaranteed hours. If OP tells her to come in late, she is still paid, right? If OP asks nanny to stay late, she should obviously pay for that time right? The fact that both would happen in the same day changes nothing.

Ah DCUM wannabe nannies burning bridges for that extra couple bucks. wonder how old this one is? 23?

Would you like to make a coherent counter argument to my points, or continue to try to insult me because you can't come up with one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

I disagree. I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.

This. She's not your friend, she's your employee. It is inappropriate to ask your employee for favors that are in direct contradiction to the work agreement.

You put it like this: "Larla, I need you to stay 3 hours late on Thursday, next Monday, and next Wednesday. If you are able to do that, you can either have a long day and get paid for all those hours, or if you would prefer a shorter day, you can come in at X:00 and be paid for just two hours of overtime. If you can't stay late at all, we'll stick to the regular schedule. Which would you prefer?"

Tell me which option MB wants in this scenario. I would make this same pitch to my nanny and hope that she didn't choose coming in late, because it messes up my whole day. But, I would worry about her doing an 11-hour day to begin with, and would want to 1) give her the option for the overtime, and 2) give her a way to both get the overtime and not be so tired at the end of it.

If you're the kind of nanny who never wants to do extra hours for any reason at all, and you will feel pressured and insulted if someone asks, you need to say that up front. It's not a common sentiment among 40-hour-a-week nannies. Every nanny I have had also takes babysitting gigs on the side for extra cash, and always wants me to ask before exploring other options because she prefers to make time-and-a-half for work she's looking for anyway.

This isn't about not wanting to work extra hours. No one here said that it would be unreasonable to ask your nanny if she's available for some extra hours. What is not okay is what OP planned to do- shifting hours around outside of the agreed upon schedule, resulting in nanny receiving less OT than she should. If you're worry is truly burnout, let your nanny come in an hour late, but that doesn't mean you don't have to pay for the extra hours you've scheduled. OP's nanny has guaranteed hours. If OP tells her to come in late, she is still paid, right? If OP asks nanny to stay late, she should obviously pay for that time right? The fact that both would happen in the same day changes nothing.

Ah DCUM wannabe nannies burning bridges for that extra couple bucks. wonder how old this one is? 23?

Obviously, if OPs nanny were the one posting the advice would be that yes your employer is an ass for putting you in this position, but probably not a hill to die on for a one time thing, ie. don't burn the bridge. But this isn't OPs nanny. OP is the employer, hence the advice, "Don't be an ass and uphold your agreement."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is something you should have addressed in your employment agreement with your nanny. Ours says that nanny will work 40 hours per week at $x/hour, and that hours will typically be from a to b, except that, on occasional circumstances and subject to nanny's availability, those hours may change from b to c for a given day. This typically happens only a few times a year, and our nannies have always been fine with it. That said, we also are fine when, for example, nanny says I want to go to the doctor in the morning, is it ok if I come in an hour later than usual and stay an hour later at night.

The fact remains that this is NOT their agreement, and that OPs nanny doesn't ask for favors with regard to her schedule. So would it be okay for OP to do what you do, even though it is in contradiction with her agreement with her nanny?

Yeah, I would; this is how normal people function in the workplace (and out of it, I should add). If nanny says no for no reason other than that she has guaranteed hours, then fine, but the day will come when nanny needs a favor of her own. I can't imagine the working environment with some of you nutjobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is something you should have addressed in your employment agreement with your nanny. Ours says that nanny will work 40 hours per week at $x/hour, and that hours will typically be from a to b, except that, on occasional circumstances and subject to nanny's availability, those hours may change from b to c for a given day. This typically happens only a few times a year, and our nannies have always been fine with it. That said, we also are fine when, for example, nanny says I want to go to the doctor in the morning, is it ok if I come in an hour later than usual and stay an hour later at night.

The fact remains that this is NOT their agreement, and that OPs nanny doesn't ask for favors with regard to her schedule. So would it be okay for OP to do what you do, even though it is in contradiction with her agreement with her nanny?

Yeah, I would; this is how normal people function in the workplace (and out of it, I should add). If nanny says no for no reason other than that she has guaranteed hours, then fine, but the day will come when nanny needs a favor of her own. I can't imagine the working environment with some of you nutjobs.

I'm not talking about what the nanny should do, I'm talking about OP. Why is it okay for her to ignore their agreement, in your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is something you should have addressed in your employment agreement with your nanny. Ours says that nanny will work 40 hours per week at $x/hour, and that hours will typically be from a to b, except that, on occasional circumstances and subject to nanny's availability, those hours may change from b to c for a given day. This typically happens only a few times a year, and our nannies have always been fine with it. That said, we also are fine when, for example, nanny says I want to go to the doctor in the morning, is it ok if I come in an hour later than usual and stay an hour later at night.

The fact remains that this is NOT their agreement, and that OPs nanny doesn't ask for favors with regard to her schedule. So would it be okay for OP to do what you do, even though it is in contradiction with her agreement with her nanny?

Yeah, I would; this is how normal people function in the workplace (and out of it, I should add). If nanny says no for no reason other than that she has guaranteed hours, then fine, but the day will come when nanny needs a favor of her own. I can't imagine the working environment with some of you nutjobs.

Nor can you imagine some of your nutjob parents who think they should have a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is something you should have addressed in your employment agreement with your nanny. Ours says that nanny will work 40 hours per week at $x/hour, and that hours will typically be from a to b, except that, on occasional circumstances and subject to nanny's availability, those hours may change from b to c for a given day. This typically happens only a few times a year, and our nannies have always been fine with it. That said, we also are fine when, for example, nanny says I want to go to the doctor in the morning, is it ok if I come in an hour later than usual and stay an hour later at night.

The fact remains that this is NOT their agreement, and that OPs nanny doesn't ask for favors with regard to her schedule. So would it be okay for OP to do what you do, even though it is in contradiction with her agreement with her nanny?

Yeah, I would; this is how normal people function in the workplace (and out of it, I should add). If nanny says no for no reason other than that she has guaranteed hours, then fine, but the day will come when nanny needs a favor of her own. I can't imagine the working environment with some of you nutjobs.

I'm not talking about what the nanny should do, I'm talking about OP. Why is it okay for her to ignore their agreement, in your opinion?

Really? Is no pecadillo too small for you? A simple request. Again, this is how normal, functioning adults deal with each other, especially in the workplace. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.

THIS.

A former MB of mine did this to me several times. The situation was /slightly/ different; for one thing, they were quite wealthy, so even though I think they ultimately asked me because they wanted to save money, it was definitely because they wanted to, not because they needed to. For another thing, it was always a Thursday or Friday night they wanted me to stay late (for a date night); again, it was because they wanted to, not because they absolutely needed to. The first time it happened I'd been working with them for over a year so I figured it was just a fluke, and I wanted to be helpful, but then of course they started asking more regularly (about once per month), and once I'd set the precedent of saying I was okay with it once it always seemed harder to go back on later.

MB would always ask a few weeks in advance and say "can you stay late on this date?" I'd say yes, then she'd say "great, so it would be best for us if you just came in at noon that day, okay?" Having it worded like that always seemed to make it harder for me, as the employee, trying to be helpful, to then say "no that's not okay." But the fact of the matter is, it was NOT okay, even though I could never muster the courage to just put my foot down about it.

i worked with that MB 35 hours per week, so OT wasn't even really a factor. I was also struggling to pay my rent and student loans, and so I was always taking extra babysitting jobs and 95% of my Friday nights (and many of my Thursday nights) were spent babysitting for other families for additional income. Most of my occasional date night babysitting families would book less than two weeks in advance so after I'd confirmed to stay late with my NF, I'd always end up just saying no to another family who asked me about that night (but of course, no one was asking me to fill in from 8am to 11am on a weekday, so it wasn't possible to make up those lost hours). So, I ended up working late and losing income, a lose-lose.

I did eventually quit with that family (I stuck it out with them for far too long), and yes, this sort of disrespect (just assuming it was perfectly acceptable to ask me to stay late for the same pay) was a major consideration when I finally just said no, I can't work with your family any longer.

OP, my advice is to suck it up and pay her for the full day. If this is really such a huge hardship for you then you need to reexamine your finances and determine if having a nanny is the right fit for your family. If you ask her to do this for you, you will only create resentment and bad feelings between nanny and you.

[Anonymous]

I see what's going on her. The OP is actually the nanny posing as the employer.
And also posting a ton of times.

[Anonymous]

If it is only for a few days or so, I see no harm. She probably would love the idea of making a few extra bucks so it could work out.

Ask her ASAP because if you wait until the week before, she may feel put upon.

[Anonymous]

Oh good lord, some of you nannies on here are ridiculous.

I'm a nanny and I honestly would have no issue with this. If I'm staying late then I would love to have an extra hour off in the morning.

I'm very flexible with my NF. We have a set schedule but I have no issue coming in early or staying late when something comes up like my MB is traveling and my DB has an early meeting. On the flip side they always give time off when I ask for appointments or whatever.