Cutting short 2 weeks notice

[Anonymous]

We have been having attitude issues with our nanny for about 4 of the 6 months she has worked for us, but she was good with the kids, so we kept her on. We were building up to firing her anyway, but before we did she told us that she was quitting and gave us 2 weeks notice so we could find someone. We have now found a replacement, and she's available to start halfway through the old nanny's "notice" period. The old nanny's bad attitude has gotten much worse since giving notice, so we are eager to get her out and get the new one in. If we start the new nanny before the old nanny's notice period has expired, do you think we have to pay the old nanny for the full notice period, or just through the days she actually worked?

[Anonymous]

Just pay her through the time she's worked and tell her "Due to your attitude we have to let you go today."

[Anonymous]

You pay her for the two weeks. She have the notice required.

[Anonymous]

Unless she's done something to be fired for cause (swearing at your child would count, having an attitude with the parents wouldn't), you owe her pay for the two weeks, but you are quite welcome to give her the last week off and the week's pay and ask her not to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless she's done something to be fired for cause (swearing at your child would count, having an attitude with the parents wouldn't), you owe her pay for the two weeks, but you are quite welcome to give her the last week off and the week's pay and ask her not to return.

+1

[Anonymous]

Would refusing to work the agreed upon schedule comprise enough of a reason?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would refusing to work the agreed upon schedule comprise enough of a reason?

Not really, OP. Just give her the two weeks pay and be done with her. Do the right thing - no matter how crappy she is being. She does have a relationship with your children so do it for their sake.

[Anonymous]

In all honesty OP, if she is giving you attitude, I wouldn't shell out any more than I owe her for her services.

She doesn't deserve any more money from you than what is earned by her.

Period. She needs to freakin' learn a life lesson about respect and not burning bridges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would refusing to work the agreed upon schedule comprise enough of a reason?

Yes. In that case, I wouldn't pay the full notice period and just fire her and be done with it.

If she were just run of the mill sullen, then I would probably pay it out.

[Anonymous]

Op isn't telling us about her "attitude," is she?

[Anonymous]

You do not sou,d very nice, OP and it is understandable why your nanny has an attitude. Your next nanny and the one after her, ad infinitum. Will also have attitude and all because of you. She gave you two weeks notice and you should honor this by either keeping her for the two weeks or paying and letting her go.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, you're a pill, op.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and op, I wouldn't pay her under the circumstances you describe. Tell her get last day is today, wish her luck, and hope the next one is better. Also make sure the new nanny knows the problem with the past nanny. I find it helpful to know what drives the parents nuts so I know not to inadvertently do it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would refusing to work the agreed upon schedule comprise enough of a reason?

18:28 here. Refusing the schedule in the contract, absolutely, unless there is an emergency. Refusing a schedule that was changed verbally, never written down and perhaps not given a choice about changing, no. Anything in between would be no man's land.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a nanny and op, I wouldn't pay her under the circumstances you describe. Tell her get last day is today, wish her luck, and hope the next one is better. Also make sure the new nanny knows the problem with the past nanny. I find it helpful to know what drives the parents nuts so I know not to inadvertently do it too.

I always ask parents why the last nanny left, what has worked well for them and what hasn't worked. I've also always offered reasons that trial periods didn't work for me (everything from just not clicking to parents not considering privacy issues when having a live-in nanny to egregious lying on the parents' part to get a nanny because they didn't want to pay for someone who would know how to handle the situation).