What is considered "on time" and "late"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP what's really going on here? Obviously your nanny should arrive as close to her start time as possible, and I can see her walking in 3-5 minutes late on a daily basis could be irritating, but I wonder what the real issue is here.

Why are you watching the clock so closely that 3 minutes upsets you? Have you scheduled your morning so tightly that 3 minutes makes a difference? Are you unhappy with the rate you're paying her and trying to squeeze out every minute of work from her? Are you unhappy with her performance? We're you spoiled by your former nanny who actually arrived early, and that's the time you would prefer your nanny to arrive?

Once you figure out what your real issue is, you might have better luck in addressing it with her. Because for someone who isn't naturally punctual, as your nanny seems struggle with this, 3 minutes isn't going to seem like a big deal no matter how many times you point it out. She needs to understand why and what your real issue is otherwise you just seem like a miserable bitch looking for a reason to complain. That's not a good way to start out your new relationship.

Put in writing: Please be on time, as I need to hand off the children right at 7:30am ET and then get ready for work and leave the house at 8am sharp. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny's been with us for about a month and a half and she would regularly arrive 5 minutes late and occasionally 10 minutes late. Hoping to nip this in the bud, I told her in her 2nd week of work that being on time was very important to me. She was apologetic and said she would be on time going forward. Since then, she still arrives late almost every day, but it's more like 3-5 minutes late. Would most people consider this "on time"? I know for personal things, such as coffee with friends, arriving within 5 minutes of the meeting time is considered "on time", at least among my circle, but for "professional" things, such as work or school, IMO "on time" means just that, no grace period. Our former nanny would arrive literally on the minute every day (she would arrive early & wait in our building lobby until it was time), I guess I've been spoiled by this? Current nanny has other tardiness issues (excessive lateness averaging once a week(!)) and I'm wondering if I should bring up the daily lateness in the same conversation or let it go.

I agree, she has a pattern of being late. Whether that is due to laziness, poor planning/judgement, or an attitude problem, you have an issue you need to fix. Start a log-book where you write the start time down, if she is late, write "LATE." Fix this now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny's been with us for about a month and a half and she would regularly arrive 5 minutes late and occasionally 10 minutes late. Hoping to nip this in the bud, I told her in her 2nd week of work that being on time was very important to me. She was apologetic and said she would be on time going forward. Since then, she still arrives late almost every day, but it's more like 3-5 minutes late. Would most people consider this "on time"? I know for personal things, such as coffee with friends, arriving within 5 minutes of the meeting time is considered "on time", at least among my circle, but for "professional" things, such as work or school, IMO "on time" means just that, no grace period. Our former nanny would arrive literally on the minute every day (she would arrive early & wait in our building lobby until it was time), I guess I've been spoiled by this? Current nanny has other tardiness issues (excessive lateness averaging once a week(!)) and I'm wondering if I should bring up the daily lateness in the same conversation or let it go.

You are completely right,I always give to my family 15 minutes ,we com discussion some assue about the kids.
I think this is the right thing to do,I never having been late.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here.

Wow.

Okay, on time for work means you are ready to work BY THE TIME REQUIRED. Not walking in the door. Not pulling in the driveway. Not munching your breakfast while waking up the kids. For some people, that means walking in 2 minutes early to have time to put away coat, keys and purse. Others need 15 minutes to make and drink coffee, stretch or do whatever else before getting their mind on their work.

Being late once or twice might be okay with some mbs/dbs. It's not okay at all for others. Finally, it says a lot about your nanny that she is late consistently and either doesn't care or doesn't notice.

[Anonymous]

I've been late to a job with a great family, after they moved. The traffic was hellish. I was never thrilled about it, and discovered a faster route, and that helped greatly. I offered to stay later, when I was stuck on the beltway due to an accident, and they accepted the offer. I feel that my presence is supposed to enhance and not upset their work/family balance. If you and the Nanny have a decent relationship, I would adjust her schedule to end 5 minutes later. I can't imagine being late everyday, and expecting to leave on time.

[Anonymous]

It's technicallu late but I could let it go. I work where we record time after turning on our laptop. My govt employer counts by the minute. But many nannies tend not to be perfectionists. So I'd let it go.

[Anonymous]

On time = ready to go at start time, already in the door.

Late = a couple times a month not in the door by start time.

Delinquent = Late once a week or more = Unreliable, Poor judgement, Possible attitude problem.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and I am usually ready to go 5-10 minutes before my start time. These few extra minutes can really make a difference for MB and DB. I am absolutely always ready to go at my start time. They let me know that they appreciate my punctuality. It is so disrespectful for nannies to be late repeatedly. I know things happen but it should not be a regular occurance. Some people can just not be on time for anything, and these people should not be nannies, as other peoples jobs are affected by their tardiness.

[Anonymous]

I would not consider arriving at 8:03 for an 8 start on time. Ask her to sync your watches so that she's there by your 8.