Grounds for firing
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Anonymous
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Our nanny of 2.5 years has had a slew of personal appointments this year, always telling us only the day before. This leads to a scramble of one of use having to ask off work (if even possible), calling up babysitters (we have a 1 and 3 yo), or acting as the nanny's secretary helping her re-schedule.
Yesterday was a total disappointment. She knew she was to work half a day, we had spoken about it on several occasions. However, when my spouse got home first Thursday evening, she asked for her paycheck and said see you in a couple weeks (we are off on a 2 week vacation). He said, No we'll be seeing you tomorrow. And she said No, I have an appointment, plus you emailed me vacation is July 1-whatever. (My spouse did not stipulate in the old email it was a half day - however, we spoke multiple times, including 4 days ago, that we needed her until 12 noon). SPouse paid her for the week and then the 2 week vacation and was flustered. I got home and was shocked. So we have no childcare today, yet both have to go in to work. Between packing for our Friday 5pm flight we cobbled together some HS kids. I left today to a crying baby with a total stranger and my spouse dropped the 3 yo off at her camp. I am beyond sick of our nanny's off priorities and how she plays my spouse and I off each other in order to get extra time off. She didn't even care to listen to him yesterday or return our calls last night to discuss this 'confusion.' I live in fear she is willy nilly gone and all her last minute antics are not reliable childcare. My spouse and I are at our saturation point with her disrespect and bad attitude. Anyone else been here? |
Anonymous
| she did not call you back yesterday when you wanted to clear this up? not good. |
Anonymous
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When she first began telling you about things the day before you should've answered by saying "unfortunately this is too short notice and we won't be able to accommodate this. Next time please give at least 2 weeks notice for your appointments. See you tomorrow!"
Then you should've added that to the contract and had a sit down about it. |
Anonymous
| I would have docked her a day in her pay for not showing up today and then told her not to come back. From a nanny. |
Anonymous
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Yes, I've been there and posted about it here. We had a nanny of 3 years who decided to go back to school full time in addition to working for us 40+ hours a week. She started struggling to keep up with anything pretty quickly and asked to go part time so my parents stepped in to help and then a few months later she eventually quit. During the full last year that she was with us, it was very clear that school and her boyfriend were higher priorities and she went from being a pretty good nanny to a very mediocre one. The kids love her so I did everything I could to try to make it work for her to stay but it was such a relief when she finally quit. We found an excellent nanny to replace her and I was kicking myself for allowing a bad situation to go on for such a long time.
I understand wanting to have stability of care, especially with a 1 year old and a 3 year old, but especially if you anticipate needing a nanny for more than just another year it's probably in your best interest to part ways and find someone who will make your lives easier and not harder. |
Anonymous
| Fire her. My nanny always tells us when time off will be needed the second a dr appt gets made. |
Anonymous
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Yes, I'm there with you OP - today as a matter of fact.
I'm pretty sure our nanny called in sick at 6 am this morning because she wanted to get an early start on her holiday weekend. I can't prove it, of course, and it doesn't really matter in the long run - I just have to deal with it. But it is the worst part of choosing nanny care over daycare - for sure. I would replace your nanny. For today I hope the rest of your day is manageable and you can get off to your trip. In 12 hours this will all be over (this is how I get through these days!) Good luck!! |
Anonymous
| I'm a nanny and agree with firing. She is taking clear advantage of you. She sounds more like a spoiled kid than a professional nanny. Her attitude and actions are completely out of line. I never take personal days, and when I do, the parents know weeks in advance. I am highly reliable and would never pull this on a family I work for. I would try and line up family or temp nanny, and tell the nanny not to come back. Hopefully you find a new nanny quick. |
Anonymous
Not totally true. I'm a nanny that rarely takes off ( only if contagious). I'm never late, work OT as needed, and never call off. My family know they can rely on me. Some nannies are just unprofessional. |
Anonymous
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Sounds like she tricked your husband. On purpose to get another day off of work.
Vote: new nanny. and enjoy your vacation. |
Anonymous
| Nanny here. The only time I have asked to take off with less than SEVERAL WEEKS notice is when I am deathly ill--like barfing nonstop and fever of 104. Fire her ass. You can do better. You will be amazed at how nice it is to have reliable, professional care. |
Anonymous
| Of be surprised if she comes back in two weeks. Now you're out of 2 weeks of vacation and a half assed nanny. Op I'm sorry you're going through this |
Anonymous
| Another nanny who says you can do better. She needs to schedule appointments around work, not the other way around. Email her right now to give her notice not to come back and place an ad on your favorite searching sites. By the end of the weekend you'll have enough responses to start scheduling interviews for when you get back. Do it. You'll feel so relieved once you hit send and you'll enjoy your vacation so much more. |
Anonymous
| MB here - I would sit down and have a very frank chat with her since she has been with you 2.5 years. And make clear that if things do not change, you will have to let her go. It is completely unprofessional and disrespectful. |
Anonymous
| She ain't coming back. You just got skunked.. |