Nanny upset over guaranteed hours
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Anonymous
| When I hired my nanny, I made it clear to her and in our contract that I guarantee 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. She usually works 45-55 hours per week, and I'm prompt with giving her the schedule in advance. I'm due in a few months and I thought it best to remind her that while I'm on maternity leave, I'll need her less than 40 hours each week and pointed to our contract of guaranteed hours. It took a few days but she expressed her dismay at the situation. She thinks it's unfair that she usually works 45-55 hours per week but that I don't guarantee those hours. I don't know what else to say or do at this point. I don't like that she's upset but I'm not going to change the contract. Your thoughts? |
Anonymous
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She sounds pretty clueless to me.
It is simple.... You guaranteed her FORTY hours per week, and the rest are extra OT hours. She likely got used to the add'l added hours/pay and now isn't happy w/accepting anything less. One question: By any chance did you give her a heads up that her hours would be lowered? |
Anonymous
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PP HERE:
Wait, I just re-read your post OP. If your contract stated that she is to receive guaranteed forty hours for the entire year, than are you staying that even though she will not be working the forty hours anymore, she will still get paid for them....??? Plz clarify. I am confused now. 
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Anonymous
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This is not OP. Yes, the nanny will still get paid the 40 hours, but no more OT because she won't be needed.
OP, you were clear, but I'm not surprised she's upset. You've just cut her income by quite a bit, for a long time. She probably shouldn't have agreed to that clause in your contract, but most likely assumed it would only apply to her vacation weeks and when you were out of town, not to 2-3 months in a row. I really think you should compromise on this. Maybe offer her the 45-hour rate for your maternity leave. And use it! You may find you welcome the help even if you're home. In addition to watching the children as usual, she can swap children with you so that you get one-on-one time with your older child, too, and can accompany you on outings ... It will make your life easier. |
Anonymous
| How would you like it if your income were cut? Didn't think so. I am not a nanny but I do not understand how you treat the person who cares for your most precious possession so shabbily. If I were her, I would find another position. You are cheap |
Anonymous
Nanny here, no way is this employer being cheep or unfair, there is a contract that states the specifics of employment, this nannies pay is not getting cut she just is not going to get the nice overtime she got use to, but it should not be a surprise. Mom your nanny is upset because things have changed, but she should know ( if she is a professional ) that in the nanny world positions change, it is the industry. Now if you were changing things that are not part of the contract then this would be different but sounds like you are not. |
Anonymous
I don't think the vaguely threatening "if you don't give your nanny whatever she wants maybe she won't treat your kids right" comments have the effect you think they do. |
Anonymous
| She should be happy because u are making her work less hours. Trust me she will need her rest after wrangling two kids all day. Now I hope you increased her pay after the addition of the second baby. |
Anonymous
| What I would do, instead of firing her, tell her that you decide to become a SAHM and that you will only be needing her for the 40 hours and nothing more going forward. When she quits find a better nanny and go back to work. |
Anonymous
I am not suggesting she will mistreat children. Obviously, this is what you think. |
Anonymous
OP is either taking leave or unpaid. She is guaranteed 40 hours. That is what OP is paying. |
Anonymous
No. she guaranteed 40 hours. If nanny didn't like it, she should've renegotiated the contract. |
Anonymous
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OP,
Could you let her know consistently what hours you will need during leave so she can look for supplemental work during that time? You are under no obligation, but it sounds to me like she just wasn't thinking this through and if she was counting on that money she may look for a new position (even if it is unfair for her to make that assumption), potentially leaving you in a bind. If you want to keep her (and I would try to avoid changing childcare and adding a sibling at the same time), giving her a set schedule would make it easy for her to pick up extra work, especially if you can give her friday afternoons/evenings off (fridays and saturdays are the most popular date nights). It might also help to let her know now whether/how much you plan tonincrease her rate once she takes over baby care, and when that increase will start so that she can plan on that bump to her income as well. |
Anonymous
+1 your nanny is not going to be happy with addition of 2nd child regardless of how much of raise you are planning to give |
Anonymous
| We all have to live with what we agreed to! OP is in the right on this issue. Hopefully, the nanny will be given an increase in her hourly rate when the new baby arrives that will ease the financial stress of losing her OT. And I would not be surprised if after OP's maternity leave, the nanny wasn't available as often for overtime hours. |