Asked our nanny to come in 30 min earlier and got a NO as an answer

[Anonymous]

I need a reality check please, am I asking for too much?

I had some changes at work and my schedule now requires me to be at work s little bit earlier. I spoke to my nanny about this and asked if she could start at 7am as opposed to 7:30am. Her response was a "NO" right away with a reason being it is too early for her and she cannot get up so early. We had her for about two years and have been super flexible, gave her time off whenever she needed it and salary advances to name a few. I am very frustrated, what do we do in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Talk to her again - tell her that she must come in this 30 minutes earlier or you need to find someone else.

Job requirements change. We have had to let a brilliant and beloved nanny of two years go because she was unable to travel with us. When she was hired, traveling with us was not a part of her job but our needs changed and DH and I must travel for our company. Nanny understood completely and is still very much a part of our lives.

Things change.

[Anonymous]

Does she drive or rely on public transportation? This makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to her again - tell her that she must come in this 30 minutes earlier or you need to find someone else.

Job requirements change. We have had to let a brilliant and beloved nanny of two years go because she was unable to travel with us. When she was hired, traveling with us was not a part of her job but our needs changed and DH and I must travel for our company. Nanny understood completely and is still very much a part of our lives.

Things change.

OP isn't talking about a job requirement like travel, she is asking her nanny to work an entirely different shift. OP, do you not have a partner who can handle the kids for 30 minutes in the morning? That's a bigger issue than your nanny not agreeing to change her entire schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to her again - tell her that she must come in this 30 minutes earlier or you need to find someone else.

Job requirements change. We have had to let a brilliant and beloved nanny of two years go because she was unable to travel with us. When she was hired, traveling with us was not a part of her job but our needs changed and DH and I must travel for our company. Nanny understood completely and is still very much a part of our lives.

Things change.

OP isn't talking about a job requirement like travel, she is asking her nanny to work an entirely different shift. OP, do you not have a partner who can handle the kids for 30 minutes in the morning? That's a bigger issue than your nanny not agreeing to change her entire schedule.

I disagree. Coming in 30 minutes earlier is not asking the nanny to work a different shift! It is 30 fricking minutes in the morning - not asking her to work nights!!

Tell the nanny that she needs to come in earlier or you will have to replace her.

[Anonymous]

If she has a contract with specific hours then she is within her rights.

[Anonymous]

30 minutes is not an entire schedule change.

Will you be paying her for that additional time?
Does she have a very long commute?
Does she rely on public transportation?

[Anonymous]

Tell her you'll need to,replace her if she can't come in...maybe it'll,give her a reality check.

[Anonymous]

If you really love her, maybe you could offer to pay her for an hour while only needing her 30 mins (or double her standard pay if that is already into overtime pay). But I agree with everyone else, talk with her again. Tell her that your job is requiring a change in your time (I assume this is a mandatory shift for you) and that you will need to ensure care for your children during this time. Obviously if your childcare needs have changed and your nanny is not able to handle them then you will need to find a replacement.

Something to also keep in mind, 7 is an early start time. Personally, I would charge a higher rate for out of the ordinary times of day. Same as weekend work, if all of a sudden you were required to work one Saturday a month, I wouldn't simply switch my days, I would require a higher pay for that.

[Anonymous]

Initially, my thought was that she had to get her child to school, or had some other unavoidable duty, so she really couldn't start 30 minutes earlier. However, if she just wants extra sleep? That's different in terms of flexibility and motivation.

The thing is, motivation doesn't matter in this situation.

Either she can shift her hours 30 minutes earlier, or you can find someone to work the new hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 minutes is not an entire schedule change.

Will you be paying her for that additional time?
Does she have a very long commute?
Does she rely on public transportation?

Hi, thanks everyone. I am NOT asking her to work extra, I am just asking to come earlier and leave earlier. She has her own car and her commute is about 25-30 min. She worked from 7am at her previous family, so I didn't think this would be a problem. Also, her explanation is " it is way too early, I can't" is very frustrating.

[Anonymous]

If she does not want to, the answer is no. So, you keep the old schedule or find someone else. That is very early.

[Anonymous]

This is a major inconvenience and you pay extra. You have a nanny whom you trust, who had taken excellent care of your child for to years and a nanny who loves, and I loved, by your child. Stop being obtuse and find a way to work with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a major inconvenience and you pay extra. You have a nanny whom you trust, who had taken excellent care of your child for to years and a nanny who loves, and I loved, by your child. Stop being obtuse and find a way to work with her.

I somewhat agree with this. Don't expect her to take a hit, which this is, without any extra pay.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to tell her this is what you need now and obviously you would love her to to able to stay with you and do these hours. If she can't though then you need to give her a two weeks notice and find someone else. I am sure she can make it work if she wants to. Right now she thinks its optional, she needs to know its not.