They want me to pick them up from the airport
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Anonymous
| The family I work for is leaving in July on vacation. They told me that I would be driving them to the airport when they leave. They flight leaves at 11 am. However, their flight arrives at 9 pm a week later and they told me that I would also go pick them up. I usually work from 8-5 so the father suggested I “start later in the day” to be able to pick them up. However I think it’s really inconsiderate of them to tell me to pick them late at night when I typically don’t work that late. The reason they want me to pick them up is because they need the car seats for their kids. However, I feel like telling them I am not available that day at night. Mainly because I’ll have to work at night and then come again the next morning at 8. Now that I think about it I see that they really need the car seats for their kids but they didn’t even ASK ME. they just told me you’re picking us up and dropping us off. That’s what bothers me the most. How can I tell them to find someone else to pick them up? I don’t want them to think it’s okay to just tell me things without checking with me first. If I tell them I’m not available then, they are obviously going to think I don’t want to pick them up. I also don’t want to say I can’t because they need someone to pick them up and have car seats. However, they have other baby sitters that can pick them up too. (Their other babysitters have been babysitting for them for years) so they might be able to ask one of them. Any thoughts? |
Anonymous
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"I'm sorry but I already have plans that evening and am not available."
They can order an Uber with carseats. |
Anonymous
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My thoughts are that this is annoying, and something you can address with them, but you also need to decide if a week's paid vacation in addition to your regular paid vacation is worth this small annoyance.
I assume you're getting guaranteed hours, which is why he said "start later in the day" for the pickup. You can stand on the fact that unless your contract says your hours can be shifted, they can't do this and still have to pay you. However, I would think really hard about whether it's worth poisoning the relationship over. Here's a compromise: during your regular work hours, drive the care to the airport and park it. Then Uber home. Maybe they would pay for the Uber, and you won't have to go in late. |
Anonymous
| Personally, I love racking up OT. I would tell them that I would be happy to do it, but not to switch my hours. So the cost would be OT for the entire trip, plus mileage. But my family always ask if they need something outside of our commitment. In your situation I may be more tempted to simple say no because of the entitlement. They can leave their car at the airport. So you can say that you have other commitments in the evenings and are not willing to switch your hours. But I would phrase it like that, that you aren’t willing to switch your hours, because they are not offering any incentive to do so. |
Anonymous
Op here, and yes I am working while they are on vacation. They have given me a list of tasks to accomplish. We have this in our contract so I don’t mind this. (I will be taking my vacation in December that is paid and I don’t have to work) Our contract does not say hours can be shifted. However, because I am a student I occasionally need to leave early so maybe that’s why they think they can also adjust the schedule to their needs. Your suggestion sounds better that I can drive the car their during my regular hours and park. I’ll just have to suggest this to them so they take the keys with them |
Anonymous
Ask another poster suggest I leave the car at the airport the day they come back but that will take anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on traffic and since I have tasks to do while they are away it would take away from that. The ideal solution for me is they drive themselves to the airport leave the car there and drive themselves back home when they come back. |
Anonymous
Op here. Uber offers car seats? They would need a one for their 4 yo and 6 mo. I didn’t know uber offered car seats |
Anonymous
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That’s pretty rude to just tell someone they’re dropping you off/picking you up from the airport. Like a pp said, I would also be more likely to say no to that just because of the way they put it.
You’re not their chauffeur, you’re their nanny. They can’t figure out a way to get themselves to and from the airport like plenty of other families do when going on vacation? My nanny family does. How ridiculous. |
Anonymous
It just pisses me off how they ordered me. They didn’t even ask if I was available to pick them up. |
Anonymous
| they don't own you. tell them no. |
Anonymous
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I would normally say no,
but you are a student and they occasionally let you leave early. So they are giving you flexibility, but you can't be flexible for them- that's how they will see it. Also, they are paying you for a full week when I'm sure your "tasks" won't take up a full 40+ hours. They will probably look for a new nanny. I would pick them up. |
Anonymous
They knew I was a student from the very start, I gave them a list of days I would need off. No where in my contract does it say I’m a chauffeur. |
Anonymous
| Had they ASKED if you were agreeable to this is one thing but to TELL you that you were expected to do so is unacceptable. Nope. There is UBER and taxis. They can drive themselves and put car in long term parking. Nannies are not chauffeurs to parents. |
Anonymous
+1. Technically you are right, but this is a relationship, not a court of law. |
Anonymous
Exactly my point! They ordered me without even asking if I could. They expect me to drive MY car and to take them to the airport. When it comes up again, I’m going to tell them I can drop them off in THEIR car and I am not available to pick them up. I’m also going to tell them know that next time they travel if they can ASK me if I’m available for something that is Out of my job description |