She doesn't get it

[Anonymous]

The other morning my nanny told me I need to be home 30 minutes earlier each THursday of the week so she can make it to a yoga class she signed up for and paid for.
Yeah, I'm going to let my work pile up and be the first to leave the office at 4:30 (when most ppl leave at 5:30) so my nanny can take a Thursday yoga class. Riiiiight.
She cited that "she gives us flexibility" when we get home at 6pm and not 5:30 (is in her contract) and her doctor says she needs yoga.

Poor judgement? Wants to be fired? WTF is doing on here?

[Anonymous]

What's her contract say? If she's contracts to work until 5:30 or whatever then you come home just a little before to let her get out the door at 5:30. If she stays late it's with notice and with overtime pay.
Sounds like the two of you are not a good fit.

[Anonymous]

If you always get home at 5:30 is because that is when you work. To ask you to leave work early is beyond silly. She needs to find a weekend yoga class or a later evening yoga class. Or maybe a different job so she can do her hobbies at 5pm.

[Anonymous]

I think its fair enough for her to ask, I dont think its right that she tells you you have to.
If she is flexible with you on the other 4 days and often stays late can you accommodate her one night a week?
If not just tell her you cant but you hope she can find a class on a weekend or later in the evening.

[Anonymous]

Get home at 5:30. You messed up by making it okay to charge your initial agreement.

[Anonymous]

Apparently, you don't get it as well. Why are you getting home at 6 pm even on one occasion? If her contract says she only works until 5:30pm then you have an OBLIGATION to be home by 5:30 pm.

You want her to be flexible then you be flexible.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure OP means that the 6pm arrival is in the contract -- it's not extra "flexibility."

Is this a young or inexperienced nanny? I would be considering moving on just because the request is so ridiculous, so entitled, and so inappropriate that I can't see her suddenly seeing the light. I think she doesn't really want a full time job, honestly.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine signing up for a class and then telling Hem yhry need to be home early. I could imagine seeing a class that I was interested in and running it by them before signing up to see if it was doable. I won't say whether you should fire her or not; that's your call, but she does seem to be lacking in common sense, good judgment and overall team playing.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Her contract guaranteed 40 hours and states that we will get home typically at 5:30pm and a range of 5-6pm. Time is rounded to nearest 15 mins.
For the last 18 mos I leave office at 5 and get home at 5:30. Spouse gets home at 6 or 7 unless I am traveling.

I may take a new job farther away, I think we'll need a nanny with less of an attitude. She is older.

[Anonymous]

all nannies have some flexibility when your arrive home. Isn't that why you're overpaying for a nanny and not daycare--for flexibility and convenience??

[Anonymous]

Perhaps a combination of the two.

So according to your posting OP, your Nanny is scheduled to work until 5:30, yet went ahead & signed up for a weekly yoga class based on the assumption that you would be arriving home an extra hour early just because.

If that is the case, then yes her judgement is extremely poor + she is seemingly entitled.
And/or she may also be looking for an out in her job.

Either way, it is time for you both to have a direct conversation about what exactly is going on w/her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Her contract guaranteed 40 hours and states that we will get home typically at 5:30pm and a range of 5-6pm. Time is rounded to nearest 15 mins.
For the last 18 mos I leave office at 5 and get home at 5:30. Spouse gets home at 6 or 7 unless I am traveling.

I may take a new job farther away, I think we'll need a nanny with less of an attitude. She is older.

I think your contract is too ambiguous. Mine says nanny works until 5 every day. I come home by 4:30 most days but not everyday. I don't tell her if I'm going to be late if I will still be home by 5. And when I do come home early, I change and maybe do a chore etc while she's still there and she'll leave closer to 5 anyway. And since she's a very good nanny there are days when I or DH come home early and just let her go home with pay.
Can you just say she works until 6 everyday? And pay until 6 of course and then you come home when you come home and you can get something done while she's still taking care of the child?

[Anonymous]

We have a nanny work 8am until 6 or 7pm depending on when one of us finishes client calls. Maybe you need to explain your job to your nanny so she understands you don't just leave early or even at the exact same minute every single days. Lots of jobs are like that - stuff comes up, California office calls, ad hoc meeting in the boss' office, need to finish something, etc. Lots of jobs do not have people running out the door at 4pm.

[Anonymous]

If you are not breaking your contract by constantly being late then fire this nanny. Seriously, why are you whining about it here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:all nannies have some flexibility when your arrive home. Isn't that why you're overpaying for a nanny and not daycare--for flexibility and convenience??

Nannies are never overpaid! I own my own business and quitting time is 5 pm, not 5:05 or 5:16. This way employees can plan their evenings. Work day begins at 8:30 am and if one of my employees cannot get their work done during working hours, then they need to look for another job. The same principle applies to nannies. If her workday ends at 5:30 pm, you have to be home by that time, no 5:35 or 5:33.