Do you pay your babysitter if she can't come because of weather?

[Anonymous]

We have about a foot of snow here (not in DC), and our babysitter called to say she didn't feel comfortable driving. She said we could pick her up and bring her over, but I tend to agree that the roads are not great and as much as I would like to get out, I wouldn't want to risk anyone's safety. I asked her if we could reschedule for another weekend and she agreed. I always see postings on here about paying anyway, and I certainly would if we canceled last minute because our kids were sick or something but in this case, what do you think?

[Anonymous]

No, you dont own your babysitter anything, i am a nanny and wouldnt expect to be paid.

[Anonymous]

In this situation I do not think you need to pay her.
She called to cancel.
It would be different if she came to your house and then you told her she wasn't needed or you canceled with less than 12 to 24 hours notice ( my policy not standard).

If she was your nanny it would depend on your agreement with her .

[Anonymous]

Nope, you don't need to pay.

[Anonymous]

The roads were bad enough that you or your partner didn't feel comfortable going to get her. I'm wondering if she came in would you still have gone out?

If she's a baby sitter you and your children really enjoy you could give her part of the money or a gift card for somewhere you don't have to give her anything but it would show you appreciate her and the weather was out of her control

[Anonymous]

She called to say she wasn't comfortable driving due to the weather, and you also agreed that the weather was unsafe for driving. So I think you should pay her.

[Anonymous]

Nope.
A nanny would be a different story, but a babysitter is like a contract employee. You are paid for when you work.
DH is a contract attorney- and gets paid only when he shows up to work. It is not just babysitters who are only paid when working.

[Anonymous]

no, she canceled on you. for weekend babysitting.

[Anonymous]

no. you have to pay someone who can actually come instead of her.

[Anonymous]

No, you don't pay her. She canceled.

[Anonymous]

You rescheduled. That is enough. And I'm usually one to argue in favor of paying when you cancel, but this was a mutual decision, if not more hers.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't + if she is a good babysitter, she should understand that in life, things like this happen and she should just roll w/the punches.

If she demands payment for this, I would drop her.