Schedule issues

[Anonymous]

I’ve been with my nanny family for a year and a half. Things started off great, but from about month 6 on things have slowly gotten more difficult. Initially I was hired at 55 hours a week, at the 6 month mark they asked if I could occasionally help out in the evening while they searched for evening help. I spent the next 8 months working 60-68 hours a week (includes overnights).

They finally got a live in au pair to do the other hours and dropped mine to 45 a week. MB just had a second baby and announces she doesn’t think she needs me that much, can I make my hours 40 a week (Tuesday off). This is fine for me. Cut to three days later, she says they’re not sure if this was a good idea and might need me to work more, but they’re not sure. Then they announce they need me to stay late Thursday night (14 hour day). Im trying to be empathetic to the fact she just had a baby but I’m finding this schedule stuff incredibly annoying. The pay is ok, market rate for the area but nothing special. I feel guilty but I think I want to quit. And probably quit nannying overall. How much time would you give it before deciding to leave?

[Anonymous]

What schedule do YOU want, OP? What is best for you? After you figure that out, present that schedule to your employers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What schedule do YOU want, OP? What is best for you? After you figure that out, present that schedule to your employers.

I did. They didn’t want me to do 7-4 for whatever reason. Instead I do 7-6 three days and 7-1 two days. They decided to get rid of one of those half days. Now they want me to do it again. They seem very confused about what they want. All I want is a consistent schedule at between 40-45 hours a week.

[Anonymous]

I would have a sit down with them and explain that the ever changing schedule is driving you dotty and you need them to come up with something that will work for you all. Say that you appreciate they've just added a new baby and it's hard, but that you give them two weeks to come up with something. And then take it from there.

[Anonymous]

They need to drop the au pair, get a live-in nanny who wants to work a boatload. Why they had kids, I don’t know!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What schedule do YOU want, OP? What is best for you? After you figure that out, present that schedule to your employers.

I did. They didn’t want me to do 7-4 for whatever reason. Instead I do 7-6 three days and 7-1 two days. They decided to get rid of one of those half days. Now they want me to do it again. They seem very confused about what they want. All I want is a consistent schedule at between 40-45 hours a week.[/quote]

You need to communicate this with your family.

[Anonymous]

OK. It sounds like this isn't a good fit anymore.

Also, the fact that you're happy every time they cut your hours, and annoyed when they want to add them back AND that you're thinking of not being a nanny anymore if you quit altogether says that you're burned out on this job.

[Anonymous]

If you want to quit, give them two weeks notice, and quit. If you want to be nice, give them two weeks and let them talk you into giving four.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest sitting down with them and expressing that the schedule changes aren't working for you, and ask if they know when they will have figured it out. IF it's going to be much longer, then you need to figure out how long you can commit to this unevenness. You deserve a regular schedule, and they also deserve warning as they are having a difficult time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been with my nanny family for a year and a half. Things started off great, but from about month 6 on things have slowly gotten more difficult. Initially I was hired at 55 hours a week, at the 6 month mark they asked if I could occasionally help out in the evening while they searched for evening help. I spent the next 8 months working 60-68 hours a week (includes overnights).

They finally got a live in au pair to do the other hours and dropped mine to 45 a week. MB just had a second baby and announces she doesn’t think she needs me that much, can I make my hours 40 a week (Tuesday off). This is fine for me. Cut to three days later, she says they’re not sure if this was a good idea and might need me to work more, but they’re not sure. Then they announce they need me to stay late Thursday night (14 hour day). Im trying to be empathetic to the fact she just had a baby but I’m finding this schedule stuff incredibly annoying. The pay is ok, market rate for the area but nothing special. I feel guilty but I think I want to quit. And probably quit nannying overall. How much time would you give it before deciding to leave?

Just quit. Two weeks notice is standard. Get your reference letter.

[Anonymous]

it's okay to quit while you're ahead, before you really start resenting them. i would start looking and be clear that you need a consistent schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's okay to quit while you're ahead, before you really start resenting them. i would start looking and be clear that you need a consistent schedule.

Agree.