Sick Leave

[Anonymous]

This question is really for nannies. Does it seem okay that my nanny of three months has already taken 2 unplanned sick days and about 3 days for appointments? I have been completely understanding and flexible with her up to this point, but now I am feeling very let down because it is affecting my work. At the rate she is going, she will have run out of paid sick leave by September. Any thoughts? Is this normal? Do I need to reset my expectations? I would sincerely like to know so that I can better plan (backup childcare) or rethink the nanny situation. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

MB here. This is my thinking on it: either she's got some serious issue she's trying to get under control through drs and medications and testing/treatment, like cancer or diabetes, or, she's been un/under-insured for a long time and now that she's got insurance she's getting caught up on her health.

I'd talk to her. "Laura I don't want to pry into your personal life. But in three months you've taken five days off from work, and at the rate you're going, you'll have run out of sick leave by September. Is a full time job right for your situation?" Then see what she says.

But definitely secure at least two forms of backup. I've got a work-at-home neighbor who will help in a pinch, and a friend's widowed and retired dad who will step in as well.

[Anonymous]

I've been a full time nanny for fourteen years, and I usually take 2-3 sick days per year, and 1-2 personal HALF days per year (which are used for doctors appointments). This nanny is way out of line, and unless she is dealing with a serious illness, this seems unacceptable to me.

I have always gone out of my way to find doctors and dentists who have evening or weekend hours, which really aren't hard to find in any city. (Of course, there are some specific type of doctors that don't offer evening or weekend appointments, and even those that do often fill up after hours appointments well in advance, so if I need to see a doctor quickly or a specialist I might need to take a half day, but even when I do take time off I make sure to schedule an early morning or late afternoon appointment so that I inconvenience my employers as little as possible.)

I agree with PP that you should address this issue right away; her wording is diplomatic and tactful but gets the point across which I like. It really sounds to me like this nanny is not respectful of your time and that is a very bad sign. I've also heard of nannies who use up all their sick days and PTO right away and then just move on to another family, which is why it's usually recommended to let it accrue as it is earned. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This question is really for nannies. Does it seem okay that my nanny of three months has already taken 2 unplanned sick days and about 3 days for appointments? I have been completely understanding and flexible with her up to this point, but now I am feeling very let down because it is affecting my work. At the rate she is going, she will have run out of paid sick leave by September. Any thoughts? Is this normal? Do I need to reset my expectations? I would sincerely like to know so that I can better plan (backup childcare) or rethink the nanny situation. Thanks in advance.

Within the first three months of taking a new job with a family, I was ill two days, involved in a car accident that required me to take a day off, and had to take a morning off to have a biopsy done. It was all just freak stuff I couldn't have predicted, and my nanny family was understanding. It's been 9 months since then, and I haven't had to miss a day since.

[Anonymous]

Five days that she couldn't work is a lot in three months.

I am a nanny + think this is a little much. Does she have an underlying health condition? That could be a liability for her....

I would offer your nanny a warning. Let her know that your work is being affected by her lack of reliability and that if things don't start looking up, sadly you will be forced to hire someone who is more dependable.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Within the first three months of her employ, our nanny came in but had to leave once (for one day) with a stomach flu that had DH and I hanging over the toilet as well! And one morning she needed off to attend a funeral. Since then she has not missed one day for any reason. It was just a rough first three months. Perhaps that is the case with your nanny - just a bad first spell.

Voice your concern with her but ultimately give it time to see how it plays out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This question is really for nannies. Does it seem okay that my nanny of three months has already taken 2 unplanned sick days and about 3 days for appointments? I have been completely understanding and flexible with her up to this point, but now I am feeling very let down because it is affecting my work. At the rate she is going, she will have run out of paid sick leave by September. Any thoughts? Is this normal? Do I need to reset my expectations? I would sincerely like to know so that I can better plan (backup childcare) or rethink the nanny situation. Thanks in advance.

Where did you get her?
How low is her pay?
Does she seem sick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This question is really for nannies. Does it seem okay that my nanny of three months has already taken 2 unplanned sick days and about 3 days for appointments? I have been completely understanding and flexible with her up to this point, but now I am feeling very let down because it is affecting my work. At the rate she is going, she will have run out of paid sick leave by September. Any thoughts? Is this normal? Do I need to reset my expectations? I would sincerely like to know so that I can better plan (backup childcare) or rethink the nanny situation. Thanks in advance.

Where did you get her?
How low is her pay?
Does she seem sick?

None of this is relevant.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP here. Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. In the future we will definitely set up an accrual based sick leave policy. And, lessons learned about ensuring I have good backup care. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt, as I would expect my employer to do the same for me. I guess it's just a matter of time to see how everything pans out.