New temp nanny is 4 months pregnant

[Anonymous]

We hired a part-time nanny for the next three months to help with some light housekeeping and look after the kids after school. At interview 3-4 weeks ago she did not appear to be pregnant, turns out she is now in her 4th month. So she will be coming up to around 7- 8 months by the time she finishes with us (not sure her due date). We have two very rambunctious kids, baskets of laundry to be carried up several flights of stairs, that kind of thing. She says she is healthy and capable. This is a cash job, not on the books. At this point our only alternative would be to ask our employers to change our hours so we can do the school drop off and pick up, and see if we can get help from my mother, who is generally quite busy with her own job. Anyone been in this situation/have any views?

[Anonymous]

OP here - I should also say I don't want to discriminate against on the basis of her pregnancy. My main concerns are 1) her safety in our home/on the job and 2) our need for consistent care for our kids for the next three months.

[Anonymous]

Is this her first child? Is she healthy and capable otherwise?

As it's such a short term assignment I think you might be fine. Obviously everyone's pregnancy is different but she might be fully capable into her 7th month.

Or, she might not and by month 7 it might be too much for her. But if your kids are school age then lifting them isn't critical, and laundry really isn't that bad.

I've done all of these things well into my last days of pregnancy so I think it's possible. If your mother can be a last minute solution if the nanny has increasing difficulty then fine.

I think I'd go with it actually.

But certainly worth a very honest/direct conversation with her. And perhaps some written agreement regarding the scope of the work involved, her medical release from her physician, etc...

[Anonymous]

Can't she just fold the laundry on the level where the machines are and you guys can carry it up to the bedrooms to put away? If your kids are old enough for school they are old enough to put their clothes in their drawers.

[Anonymous]

You're contemplating letting her go because you think it might be a problem later, but she's currently capable, she says she's capable, and this is a temp job that will end well before her due date. To me, it sounds like a winning proposition for everyone. Laundry is not that physically demanding - it's not like she's hand washing, right? And presumably you have coverage for some one being injured in your home anyway, right?

Don't discriminate against this woman. Let her do her work for the time you hired her for and be reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your feedback. I was freaking out a bit because she hadn't said anything at all, I had to ask her about it. I have spoken with her this afternoon and asked her to let me know if anything changes with her health or finds any of the tasks become a bit difficult. We can certainly make changes to the routine around things like carrying bins of laundry. Apparently before she comes to our home every day she cooks, cleans and does laundry for her family of 7, mostly adults!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I should also say I don't want to discriminate against on the basis of her pregnancy. My main concerns are 1) her safety in our home/on the job and 2) our need for consistent care for our kids for the next three months.

Never hire anyone where your first concern has to be THEIR safety instead of your kids. I'd say just let her go now and find another nanny.

[Anonymous]

I worked till six weeks before delivery with two active toddlers. I had a HUGE belly and delivered an almost 10 pound baby. It got difficult getting around after I quit working but I was able to take care of them efficiently into my eighth month. I honestly had more trouble in my first trimester because of the constant nausea and fatigue. Once I hit the second trimester, it was much easier. I'd say you don't have much to worry about if her pregnancy is a normal one.

[Anonymous]

My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

It's none of her business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

There is no requirement that she tell you, and as evidenced on this thread and many others, pregnant nannies face discrimination. How many weeks along before you told your employer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

It's entirely possible the nanny did not know.

I'm floored by the number of women here who think it's peachy-keen to fire a nanny who's pregnant. How would you feel if your employer canned you for pregnancy? How long before you called a lawyer?

I've had a pregnant nanny, and it was fine. Better than fine. She was wonderful, in part because I didn't treat her as less than human.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

It's entirely possible the nanny did not know.

I'm floored by the number of women here who think it's peachy-keen to fire a nanny who's pregnant. How would you feel if your employer canned you for pregnancy? How long before you called a lawyer?

I've had a pregnant nanny, and it was fine. Better than fine. She was wonderful, in part because I didn't treat her as less than human.

All workers, but women especially, need to be aware that laws against discrimination in hiring, and accommodation for disabilities, including pregnancy symptoms, do not apply to small employers. You have no legal protection as a nanny.

I also had a pregnant nanny. She was young, and it was her first pregnancy. She missed 1-2 days a week nearly every week until the middle of her pregnancy when she went to part time. So, no, not every pregnancy works out for working just because the employer was fine with it.

In this case, though, it sounds like she hasn't had any unusual issues so far, so there's no reason to think she won't be able to manage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only concern is her NOT telling you; that's deceptive!

It's entirely possible the nanny did not know.

I'm floored by the number of women here who think it's peachy-keen to fire a nanny who's pregnant. How would you feel if your employer canned you for pregnancy? How long before you called a lawyer?

I've had a pregnant nanny, and it was fine. Better than fine. She was wonderful, in part because I didn't treat her as less than human.

All workers, but women especially, need to be aware that laws against discrimination in hiring, and accommodation for disabilities, including pregnancy symptoms, do not apply to small employers. You have no legal protection as a nanny.

I also had a pregnant nanny. She was young, and it was her first pregnancy. She missed 1-2 days a week nearly every week until the middle of her pregnancy when she went to part time. So, no, not every pregnancy works out for working just because the employer was fine with it.

In this case, though, it sounds like she hasn't had any unusual issues so far, so there's no reason to think she won't be able to manage.

Which is WHY she didnt say anything. I'm as far along as OPs nanny, and I don't plan to tell my bosses until 20 weeks, maybe later. My job will be ending before I am due, and telling them just opens me up to losing my job before I'm ready. You all can't have it both ways; demand to know as soon as possible but then claim its your right to not accommodate her.

[Anonymous]

Just continue as is. You do realize moms without nannies continue to chase their rambunctious kids and do their own laundry, right?