What should I do?

[Anonymous]

I know most nannies work 9-5, Monday- Friday. My schedule isn’t like that. I normally look at the calendar and if I see that the parents are on the schedule, I know to come in. I typically work 4 days a week. But over the next couple of weeks, I don’t see them on the schedule (1 day). Now, should I say something or not? This is a big problem we’ve been having, about communication and letting me know things in advance. I sort of want to prove a point so if they don’t say anything, I’m going to go about my business and show up on the day that’s on the schedule. Would I be wrong? I mean technically I am not on the schedule and I don’t want them texting me the day of talking about “oh, we forgot to tell you” because it’s happened before, a few times.

[Anonymous]

Don't be childish, OP. We do not teach other grown ups lessons. Ask about your own damn work schedule and discuss with your employers better ways to plan ahead and notify each other. You agreed to this nuts flexible schedule so make it work for everyone involved.

I am a nanny, btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be childish, OP. We do not teach other grown ups lessons. Ask about your own damn work schedule and discuss with your employers better ways to plan ahead and notify each other. You agreed to this nuts flexible schedule so make it work for everyone involved.

I am a nanny, btw.

It's not being childish. I have had this conversation over a DOZEN times! EMAILS, TEXT AND IN PERSON! You provide me with my "DAMN" schedule (you're the employer) in advance, just as you would want me to let you know things, in advance. I'm just tired.

[Anonymous]

You have talked to them and yet they are not changing their behavior. Either you accept it or you move to another family.

Good luck !

Nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't be childish, OP. We do not teach other grown ups lessons. Ask about your own damn work schedule and discuss with your employers better ways to plan ahead and notify each other. You agreed to this nuts flexible schedule so make it work for everyone involved.

I am a nanny, btw.

It's not being childish. I have had this conversation over a DOZEN times! EMAILS, TEXT AND IN PERSON! You provide me with my "DAMN" schedule (you're the employer) in advance, just as you would want me to let you know things, in advance. I'm just tired.

Then explain that like a big girl and give your notice because if it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have talked to them and yet they are not changing their behavior. Either you accept it or you move to another family.

Good luck !

Nanny.

This. There's no magic here.

You could try one last email/conversation where you say, "Since we haven't found a system that works well for all of us, going forward, I will come in when I see that you are scheduled on the calendar, or if you let me know via email. I will base my work week on what I know via the calendar or email by [whatever you do: Friday the week before, one week ahead, a month ahead]. If you need me on days that aren't on the calendar or pre-assigned via email, I will do my best to accommodate you, but I may not be available. Also, per our contract, I expect to be paid for my guaranteed hours of X hours/week. So it would be great if we could make this work, and then you won't be paying for hours I don't work. I'm not trying to make anything difficult for you, but the current situation is not working for me, and I'd like to give it one more try before moving on."

Then take a picture of the calendar on the day you check it, so they can't say they had the day scheduled and you didn't see it, when in reality they went in later to fill it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have talked to them and yet they are not changing their behavior. Either you accept it or you move to another family.

Good luck !

Nanny.

This. There's no magic here.

You could try one last email/conversation where you say, "Since we haven't found a system that works well for all of us, going forward, I will come in when I see that you are scheduled on the calendar, or if you let me know via email. I will base my work week on what I know via the calendar or email by [whatever you do: Friday the week before, one week ahead, a month ahead]. If you need me on days that aren't on the calendar or pre-assigned via email, I will do my best to accommodate you, but I may not be available. Also, per our contract, I expect to be paid for my guaranteed hours of X hours/week. So it would be great if we could make this work, and then you won't be paying for hours I don't work. I'm not trying to make anything difficult for you, but the current situation is not working for me, and I'd like to give it one more try before moving on."

Then take a picture of the calendar on the day you check it, so they can't say they had the day scheduled and you didn't see it, when in reality they went in later to fill it in.

Op here, I like this. I do take pictures of the calendar when this happens. In the past, I called out because I wasn’t feeling well and the other parent started texting me. I informed her that 1. I’m sick (so we can go back and forth another day) and 2. I contacted the family on the schedule. I had already took a screenshot of the calendar, checked it later, and she had put her time on there. I told her that when I checked (and took a photo), you were not on the calendar. She says “oh, I meant to update it” okay well you need to do better considering this isn’t the first time. I am working on a final email for moving forward.

Thank you for helping me and being positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have talked to them and yet they are not changing their behavior. Either you accept it or you move to another family.

Good luck !

Nanny.

I’m not sure what you mean by accept it. My point was I’m not going to continue to inquire about my schedule 2 days before, when my employer has set the rule of “we will update the calendar at least 3 weeks prior.” So if she calls me tomorrow and say “oh, I forgot to update the calendar can you come in” my response will be SURE. However, I’m not rushing. Then, I would inform her that there was no activities for that day so I assumed you didn’t need me.

There have been multiple times where I’m not on the calendar, don’t go and they don’t say anything but there have also been times, I’m not on the calendar and then they text me. So moving forward, I was asking what should I do?! Should I text or continue doing what I’ve been doing? What I be wrong?

Honestly, I don’t want to take on another position bevause I’m hoping this will be my last year- I have other things I’m working on. I just don’t want to deal with the BS, yet another year. I have another family as well and don’t deal with this. But thanks for your advice.

[Anonymous]

*would

[Anonymous]

They sound quite disorganized. I would text them on Saturday or Sunday morning (whichever works for you) and ask for the week’s schedule by a certain time that day. They should be able to provide it. If there are dates that week for which you have made other commitments, I would remind them of those at the same time. I personally would prefer this over the current “system”.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I live google calendar. My bosses and I use the same calendar, that way we all know what is happening.

Personally, I would let me employers know that if it isn't in the google calendar going forward, I may or may not be available.