The family I work for STAY SICK! How do you all handle this?

[Anonymous]

Literally, ever since October, the kids I nanny has been sick and I understand when working in close contact with children this will happen. This week, I returned to work this week and was told that one of the kids had food poison but later (the next day) found out it was more a stomach virus because the other child and father started to vomit. During this time, I expressed that I would prefer not to work while they are sick since both kids are just laying in bed. I do not do anything outside of caring for the kids and as many of you know when kids are sick, they just want their parents who were both home.. So the following day I returned to work to find out the dad and other child was sick as stated above and this is after I expressed if the first child was still sick, I would prefer to come I work on Friday.. Now 3 of them are sick. The mom was steady preparing for a dinner party... Completely ignoring that three people in her home had a stomach virus or the flu! It wasn't until midday when she started to feel sick that she canceled the party! Again, I understand when working in close contact with kids this can happen, but in an instance where both parents were home and she requested me to come in to work and refusing to even pay sick leave if I get sick just isn't fair. This has been going on all winter, I've never been this sick in my life. I'm just praying I don't catch whatever they have b/c I can't afford to miss work. Has anyone else dealt with this and what do you do? No, the mom never tells me anything so i dont't know who's sick until I arrive To work.

[Anonymous]

Why woukd you take a job with no paid sick days? That one is on you

[Anonymous]

Why exactly are you a nanny if you don't want to care for children?

[Anonymous]

I do have sick days, I've used the sick days up. Both parents are home taking care of the kids but as I stated.. They ended up getting sick also. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Well you used up your sick days so now you have to come to work.. that's what you are paid for. Sick parents doesnt mean day off. They don't expect you to care for them, they need a care for their kids while they care for themselfs. You run out of sick days so now you have to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I posted here once about a similar issue and got jumped on, but I'll repeat it briefly for your benefit.

I used to babysit for a particular family that eschews modern medicine (everything from vaccinations to antibiotics), hand washes all their dishes in lukewarm water with the mildest soap I've ever seen, and is perpetually sick. REALLY sick! Months-long infections, coughs, congestion. Every time I'd work for them I'd get sick, too! It was terrible. Eventually I had to stop because I wasn't getting sick anywhere else and don't you know, I've made it all season without a single cold this year. I have gone back once and made a point not to eat anything and to wash my hands every ten minutes and I made it out safely, but that's not practical for a FT nanny job.

You may, unfortunately, need to work for somebody else. You can always sit down and try to negotiate more sick days by pointing out there have been more illnesses in their home this winter than average, but that's not guaranteed. Good luck whatever you do! Stay well

[Anonymous]

If you were my nanny, I probably wouldn't give you the day off either. I need help when I'm sick. My nanny is awesome, and would probably recognize that the kids just want me, and would offer to do other things around the house that I can't do while I am cooped up sick with the kiddos.

Maybe you could offer to do some errands like grocery shopping, dry cleaning, pick up kids homework from school, return and check out books from the library, go to the post office, pick up and wrap some gifts for birthday parties. It might be helpful to fill out the paperwork and sign the kids up for spring sports, spend some time on the computer researching summer camps (and show the parents what you found), find some fun ways to play inside when the kids are out of their beds, but still not feeling well. Go shopping for craft supplies and some things to play outside when the weather gets better. Prepare non-perishable foods in containers so you can grab and go with kids lunches.

At the house, you could go through kids clothes and get rid of what doesn't fit. Make a list of how many pairs of pants, socks, shirts they have so that it's easy to know what they need more of. Organize children's book shelves and craft supplies. Organize the playroom and get rid of toys that are broken or never played with. Wash kids clothes and sheets (if that's part of your job).

Also, still make breakfast and lunch for the kids. It sucks to cook for other people when you are sick yourself. Even if they are your children.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I would find another position and resign.

Illness is one thing being constantly sick is different and having to work in that environment no thanks.

Coming in to care for sick kids, and even on occasion when a parent is sick is fine too, but again wouldn't be comfortable with that.

Having no sick time would be the deal breaker for me on top of not having the courtesy to give me the heads up on everyone being ill. Just speaks of lack of consideration to me. I respect the people I work for and they respect me. I couldn't deal with that. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

OP HERE: 14:29 that's exactly how they are ! They don't believe in medicine and only use 100% natural cleaning products which doesn't effectively clean their home! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I think i will resign. I've never been this sick until I started working for them.

[Anonymous]

15:15 I agree, a cold here and there is different but they've been sick all winter. Common courtesy is to at least send me a text the night before and I can't even get that so I can wear a mask. I've used up all of my sick days because of them, not from getting sick on my own. I take vitamins, but I still can't avoid from getting sick when those kids get sucks lol

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you need a different job.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you need a different profession.

[Anonymous]

I sound like I am in the minority here, but to me it is only common sense and common courtesy to let your nanny stay home when there is an illness going around in your home. Duh. I cannot believe people are okay with making a nanny work in a home where people are sick with a stomach bug, vomiting, etc.

What is the matter with you all....??!

When is it or has it ever been acceptable to expose another human being to illness? Never.

And to add to that OP, the fact that you will not get any paid sick days is just not feasible.

Soo...They expect you to work in a home where germs are all around so it is a given that sooner rather than later you will catch whatever they have. Yet, when you do get it, you will lose days of work and not be able to be compensated for those days so I guess you should be budgeting now for your lost wages so you can make sure you will have enough to pay your rent and light bills next month.

Outrageous.

[Anonymous]

Life happens to MBs too. A reason why many choose nanny is to have coverage when charge is sick. Otherwise what is point of having a nanny if she is not any more convenient than daycare?

[Anonymous]

I nannied for one family while in college and got hand foot and mouth, a stomach virus (that involved a high fever, not being able to drink for 36 hours, and a week before I felt normal again), multiple colds, etc.

Yes, illness happens. But they would not tell me (or the other family in the nanny share) that they or their child was sick until I was in the door. I'd commute for an hour and a half, walk in the door, and they'd tell me that their child had a 102 degree fever that morning so they gave him some medicine. They also told me that their baby was no longer contagious when he was (and as a result, two more babies and myself got it).

Awful, really. I honestly don't mind caring for mildly sick kids, but if its severe or if you're staying home let me know first!