Would you fire this nanny?

[Anonymous]

I'll keep the circumstance short and factual!

1. Nanny had a death in family. Had her husband call at 10am to let us know she'd be out for a 12:30am start time.

2. Next day. Her start time came and went. She texted about 15 minutes after her start time to let us know she was on her way, having some trouble getting to use because of family things related to the death the day before. She arrived 35 minutes late

3. the next week. She did not call/text or email and was 15+ minutes late so I called her. She answered her phone saying she was stuck in traffic would be there soon. I wound up 20 minutes late for work.

Fire or give 1 more chance?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

How long has she been with you? Is this a part-time position?

I would have a conversation about hours and punctuality and letting me know if she's going to be late. I'd do at least that much before I fired someone for what you describe above.

I'd also be inclined to be a bit lenient around lateness/absence for a death - assuming you feel she's honest.

[Anonymous]

I would have one conversation with her that she needs to text or call the second she knows she will be late. Not when she's already late. If it happens again after that, I'd fire her.

I'm sympathetic to the loss she had. But not letting you know she's stuck in traffic is inexcusable.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like there's some 'unpleasant' history between you that we don't know.

[Anonymous]

Is she new? If not, is this unusual?

I would give it one more week, and if she is late again, have a conversation about it. I would say that I can't manage if she's late frequently, and it might be a bad fit. Throw it back on her about how to fix the problem, then if she swears she'll be on time, tell her you'll see how it goes for the next month.

[Anonymous]

She deserves a warning before being fired outright - if she does it again after that, get rid of her. Traffic is no excuse for being late...it's called being a responsible adult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She deserves a warning before being fired outright - if she does it again after that, get rid of her. Traffic is no excuse for being late...it's called being a responsible adult

It's not? You've never been stuck in an accident or had unexpected closures? Traffic, on rare occasions, is one of the most valid reasons for being late I can think of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She deserves a warning before being fired outright - if she does it again after that, get rid of her. Traffic is no excuse for being late...it's called being a responsible adult

It's not? You've never been stuck in an accident or had unexpected closures? Traffic, on rare occasions, is one of the most valid reasons for being late I can think of.

It's an excuse, but not a reason.

[Anonymous]

This is a tough call as you want to be a considerate employer, but reality dictates that your nanny does have a job to do & that she needs to do her job right.

I would have a talk w/her letting her know that you understand her loss and that it may be tough for her to go back to work so soon afterward.
(In my state, employers are required to give their employees three days off due to a family death. Not sure about your state.)

Ask her honestly if she thinks she can handle working now.
If she feels she cannot, then she needs to honestly let you know so other plans can be made.

Otherwise she will be fully expected to maintain a good job performance since it is unfair for you to be late to work even ONCE.

Hope it goes well.
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

How long has she been there? And who died, her kid or her 4th cousin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She deserves a warning before being fired outright - if she does it again after that, get rid of her. Traffic is no excuse for being late...it's called being a responsible adult

It's not? You've never been stuck in an accident or had unexpected closures? Traffic, on rare occasions, is one of the most valid reasons for being late I can think of.

It's an excuse, but not a reason.

Huh? If you are late because of traffic its the reason you are late. If you died and didn't show up for work, it's the reason you didn't show. Same.

[Anonymous]

Oh wow , my former employer just move out of town , in MD DC area traffic is awful, from the first day I warn them that I may be be late sometimes cus you never know what will happen in the road , they understood , now I am terrifying to look for a new job and find a family like you ... Have you ever been late at work because traffic ???

[Anonymous]

Have compassion for your nanny she lost someone in her family. That takes a toll on someone. I would recommend telling her she can have a week off to really take the time to care for herself. The last thing she deserves is to be fired. Let her know I understand if you need some time off but please let me know if you're going to be late because my job doesn't allow me to be late. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh wow , my former employer just move out of town , in MD DC area traffic is awful, from the first day I warn them that I may be be late sometimes cus you never know what will happen in the road , they understood , now I am terrifying to look for a new job and find a family like you ... Have you ever been late at work because traffic ???

It's not the act of being late itself, it's not calling when you know you're going to be late. It is not professional or acceptable to be 15 min late and not have called your bosses. Even worse that the bosses had to call her! When you're sitting in traffic and realize you're going to be late (which you know before your start time) you call or text. It's pretty simple and common sense.