How to handle cancellations?

[Anonymous]

I've been a part time nanny for a family for about 2 years,twice a week but some random mixed days, so each week was about 3-4 days usually. All of a sudden they're canceling at least once sometimes 2 times a week. I've let it slide because they've been great but I just counted it up and it's come to 12 times in the past month. They also cancel 2 or 3 hours before I am scheduled to be there so I can't really make other plans. should I charge them for these days even though I'm part time? Tell them I'll put them on my calendar but only if nothing else comes up? I'm not sure how to handle.

[Anonymous]

12 times in one month is unacceptable and disrespectful. If I were you I'd either:
a) talk to them. "I noticed that you cancelled on me 12 times last month. Going forward, if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance I still need to be paid." If you want, you can choose to explain further that it's difficult for you to pick up a replacement job with such little notice, so you are losing out on that pay.

b) replace them entirely. I worked part time for a family who frequently cancelled on me. One month it was 6 times -- two of those times they didn't cancel until I showed up at their door in the morning. I found another family who needed me and they never cancelled on me.

[Anonymous]

Wow....They sound like they are definitely taking you for granted in a HUGE WAY OP & this is so disrespectful as well as inconsiderate.

You have two options available to you now.

• Have a direct talk w/them that all this cancelling is making a big dent in your job prospects. You reserve those days/hours for them specifically and when they cancel last minute, it can affect your own job prospects negatively.
(Trust me on this one....If the shoe were on the other foot, you would be gone!)
The only way in these situations to do damage control on their end is to compensate you for calling out.

OR ~

• You can decide that all of the stress involved is just not worth it.
You need a family who is much more responsible as well as considerate.

*If you decide to do the latter option, watch them come begging for you with their tales between their legs. :p

[Anonymous]

No one respects a doormat.

[Anonymous]

If it were me I would require that I am paid for a minimum of X hours (whatever that is for you) and a 24-48 hour cancellation notice (again, whatever you are comfortable with), otherwise I would charge my minimum, which is four hours. How far I'm advance do they book you? Do you have set days that you are always there or are those being cancelled too? Were you hired for two days with occasional extra thrown in or with weekly extra thrown in? Are you a student? Is this your only job? A little more details about the initial arrangement as well as how it has progressed and we may be able to give you more specific advice. Either way it certainly needs to be addressed.