What do you think (re vacation time)

[Anonymous]

I recently started working with a new family. The contract states that nanny will take her vacations when the family is out of town, at least 3 weeks out of the year (one in summer, one in winter, one in the fall or spring), and will provide at least 8 weeks notice of vacation dates. Nanny also has three paid personal days off per year, other time requested off beyond that will be unpaid.

I emailed them asking if they had their vacation dates for the summer yet, and they emailed me the dates, three days (Wed-Fri) in late July, plus one Friday in late June, and another Friday in late August. MB said they had chosen to do 3 long weekends instead of one whole week. I said I was confused because I thought I was guaranteed one full week over the summer, and I was planning to visit my parents who live on the other side of the country so Wed- Sunday really doesn't work for me. They said they are still giving me 5 days off in the summer and I can still take more time off if I want but it would be unpaid.

What say you DCUM?

[Anonymous]

That's extremely shitty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's extremely shitty.

Ditto.

[Anonymous]

Extremely shitty, but technically in keeping with the contract (not that that really matters). Because it's technically in keeping with the contract, I could see if there was just genuinely not a meeting of the minds (i.e., this is what they meant all along)... but then, the way she said "we decided to..." clearly implies it isn't what they had in mind initially/what they were thinking when the contract was signed. So, probably, they meant the contract as you'd interpret it common sense-wise (i.e., week at a time), changed their mind, re-read the contract and realized that they could probably get away with it.

If I were you and I otherwise liked the family, I'd explain that that's genuinely not what you understood, that you'll make it work this time, but you want to discuss the understanding going forward b/c with your family on the other side of the country, you wouldn't have signed the contract if you realized all three of the "weeks" could be like this.

[Anonymous]

MB here-
No, it is not in keeping with the contract. The contract says 3 weeks. A week is Sunday-Saturday. Therefore, it should be 3 Sunday-Saturday periods off.
If they wanted to work in days, they should have said 15 PTO days- that's what they do in companies, so people can split vacation days as needed.
You are entitled to your summer vacation "week" paid per contract.
(Be aware however, if you go this route, she may never allow you to split your vacation week into days. you may have to take a day here or there unpaid)

[Anonymous]

I'd reject them. They'll nickel and dime you to death. Just watch.

[Anonymous]

I interviewed with that family, I think. There were a number of issues with the contract, and that was one. When I raised the issue (especially given that although they said there would be 8 weeks notice of when vacation would be, they hadn't decided yet)...

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Only 3 paid holidays? Op this family will nickel and dime you to death beware

[Anonymous]

I say not many people would be too keen on having a weeks worth of vacation time split into increments like that.

When something is listed as a weeks vacation it is usually meant to convey the vacation week means an actual week.

Not splitting up days randomly like that.

You can always let them know how you feel, but if they refuse to give you an actual weeks vaca then it will be up to you if this can work for you in the long run.

Good Luck OP.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth did you ever agreee to these draconian terms? To myself, I would silently say, "eff you," and find a new job. These people are dreadful employers and they will only get worse. Get out before you have invested too much time with them.

[Anonymous]

I get two weeks a year at my own choosing. The family also takes two weeks so some years I get paid 4 weeks. we try to coordinate vacations if it can work, but I plan months in advance and they're last minute planners. Some years it works and they travel on my dates, but I don't travel on theirs as I need to fly international and book in advance.

[Anonymous]

Ps, forgot to add use those days to interview and quit!

[Anonymous]

If your contract lays it out as you say in your original post, then they are absolutely in the wrong. "1 week" in the summer means one work week to a reasonable person reading that contract.

Otherwise, it could mean a 5-day week or a 7-day week. It's clearly not supposed to be an arbitrary unit of measurement.

I would tell them you are using two of your personal days to go to California for the Wed-Sun trip, and make sure you have anew job lined up for your return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extremely shitty, but technically in keeping with the contract (not that that really matters). Because it's technically in keeping with the contract, I could see if there was just genuinely not a meeting of the minds (i.e., this is what they meant all along)... but then, the way she said "we decided to..." clearly implies it isn't what they had in mind initially/what they were thinking when the contract was signed. So, probably, they meant the contract as you'd interpret it common sense-wise (i.e., week at a time), changed their mind, re-read the contract and realized that they could probably get away with it.

If I were you and I otherwise liked the family, I'd explain that that's genuinely not what you understood, that you'll make it work this time, but you want to discuss the understanding going forward b/c with your family on the other side of the country, you wouldn't have signed the contract if you realized all three of the "weeks" could be like this.

This is probably what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extremely shitty, but technically in keeping with the contract (not that that really matters). Because it's technically in keeping with the contract, I could see if there was just genuinely not a meeting of the minds (i.e., this is what they meant all along)... but then, the way she said "we decided to..." clearly implies it isn't what they had in mind initially/what they were thinking when the contract was signed. So, probably, they meant the contract as you'd interpret it common sense-wise (i.e., week at a time), changed their mind, re-read the contract and realized that they could probably get away with it.

If I were you and I otherwise liked the family, I'd explain that that's genuinely not what you understood, that you'll make it work this time, but you want to discuss the understanding going forward b/c with your family on the other side of the country, you wouldn't have signed the contract if you realized all three of the "weeks" could be like this.

The other 2 weeks are full week, how many times does OP really need to travel to see her family?

Also how does OP afford to travel to the other side of the country so much on a nanny salary?