Is it ever okay to shift a nanny's hours?

[Anonymous]

I need our nanny to stay three hours past her usual quitting time a few days next month. Rather than just add on additional hours (which she is always agreeable to) I was wondering if I could ask her to come in one hour later (thereby saving me that hour's salary) and then just give her two hours additional time.

She is a good nanny and knows we are not wealthy people. She does have guaranteed hours and a set schedule. She has never once asked us to switch her schedule for any reason, if that matters.

[Anonymous]

It is ok if the nanny agrees to it. If it makes her uncomfortable in any way you need to pay the overtime rates.

If this was not discussed (occasional flexibility in scheduling) then you are asking a favor - a favor which affects the nanny's compensation. So if you ask, and if she's gracious about it, make it extremely clear that this is not going to be an ongoing thing (and thank your stars, and think of a nice way to thank her.)

Think carefully about whether saving $20 (or whatever the relevant amount) is worth the potential damage to the relationship.

- MB

[Anonymous]

Remember, OP, that it does indeed "hurt to ask".

I personally do not think your savings is worth even possibly damaging your relationship with your nanny. I would not even ask her if I were you.

[Anonymous]

No, OP, it is not okay and a foolish economy.

[Anonymous]

No this is not okay. You have a set schedule with her that you agreed to guarantee. Asking her to come in late and basically not pay her for that hour is breaking your agreement. She did not guarantee you availability outside of her set schedule, and so you can REQUEST the time, and should pay for it, but it would be wrong to REQUIRE it by shifting her hours.

I also think the advice to just ask is wrong. You are her boss, and this would be a case of asking but not really asking. Don't abuse your authority, and don't damage your relationship with your nanny over $20.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and if it didn't conflict with anything else I already have going on, I'd be fine with it. If you asked and I had a conflict, I'd tell you it works on days 1, 2 and 3 but not 4 or whatever. I'd love to sleep in an extra hour (or go out to breakfast or whatever!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a nanny and if it didn't conflict with anything else I already have going on, I'd be fine with it. If you asked and I had a conflict, I'd tell you it works on days 1, 2 and 3 but not 4 or whatever. I'd love to sleep in an extra hour (or go out to breakfast or whatever!)

I am the exact opposite. I am a morning person and would not want to lose a paid hour of work for nothing.

I would advise not to ask her, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a nanny and if it didn't conflict with anything else I already have going on, I'd be fine with it. If you asked and I had a conflict, I'd tell you it works on days 1, 2 and 3 but not 4 or whatever. I'd love to sleep in an extra hour (or go out to breakfast or whatever!)

You'd be okay with your boss asking for 3 extra hours, but only paying for 2 of them, because she docked you in the morning? I understand being okay with the extra hours, but I don't think most nannies would be happy to have their hours/pay docked when they have a guaranteed hours agreement. Why even have the agreement if you let your employer dock you when it benefits them?

[Anonymous]

So you, the employer, can save a couple of bucks? No. It is never okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need our nanny to stay three hours past her usual quitting time a few days next month. Rather than just add on additional hours (which she is always agreeable to) I was wondering if I could ask her to come in one hour later (thereby saving me that hour's salary) and then just give her two hours additional time.

She is a good nanny and knows we are not wealthy people. She does have guaranteed hours and a set schedule. She has never once asked us to switch her schedule for any reason, if that matters.

Dear Lord, how freaking cheap can you be?! You need her to stay late then you pay her OT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a nanny and if it didn't conflict with anything else I already have going on, I'd be fine with it. If you asked and I had a conflict, I'd tell you it works on days 1, 2 and 3 but not 4 or whatever. I'd love to sleep in an extra hour (or go out to breakfast or whatever!)

You'd be okay with your boss asking for 3 extra hours, but only paying for 2 of them, because she docked you in the morning? I understand being okay with the extra hours, but I don't think most nannies would be happy to have their hours/pay docked when they have a guaranteed hours agreement. Why even have the agreement if you let your employer dock you when it benefits them?

This.

Do not even ask, OP. It would only set up a bad situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I need our nanny to stay three hours past her usual quitting time a few days next month. Rather than just add on additional hours (which she is always agreeable to) I was wondering if I could ask her to come in one hour later (thereby saving me that hour's salary) and then just give her two hours additional time.

She is a good nanny and knows we are not wealthy people. She does have guaranteed hours and a set schedule. She has never once asked us to switch her schedule for any reason, if that matters.

Dear Lord, how freaking cheap can you be?! You need her to stay late then you pay her OT.

I am not sure OP is even talking about OT. This could be just Nanny's regular hourly rate she wants to save.

[Anonymous]

You may ASK her if she'd do that as a favor to you.
Then of course you ask her what she'd like in return.
That's how you do things politely.

[Anonymous]

If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you anticipate this happening regularly (not just this month), I would sit down with her and see if she would be willing to accommodate that flexibility x number of days a month going forward. If it seems like she'd rather not, you'll need to decide if the money it will cost you is sufficient to need to change nannies.

If it's just this one time, I would tell her what's going on and let her choose. My nanny would prefer to get paid all the hours because she needs the money. Our last nanny would have preferred to sleep in.

I disagree. I would feel compelled to do as my employers asked especially if they gave me a sob-story about needing to save money. I would agree and then resent them for even asking me.