Letting Nanny Go Because of Language Barrier

[Anonymous]

I hired our nanny about 5 months ago and am struggling with how to let her go. She speaks Spanish and very little to no English at all. I knew that she didn’t speak English well when I hired her but she said she was eager to learn and wanted to nanny in an English speaking house so that she could learn more quickly. It has been 5 months and I just cannot get comfortable with her taking care of my children because of the language barrier. I often leave the house worried about whether or not she really understood what directions I had just given her. This is mostly a safety concern as what would happen in an emergency situation with my children? Would she be able to call 911 and explain what’s going on? Or ask someone for help if they are out at a restaurant or park and need something? She was recently in a car accident and told me that she had to have her husband meet her at the scene to explain to the cops what happened because they didn’t speak Spanish so she wasn’t able to communicate with them. The worst part, and it’s difficult for me to even type out, is that I found out she was putting my three year old daughter in a booster seat instead of a convertible car seat with a chest harness because she thought it was okay. I have an extra convertible car seat for her to use in her car for my daughter and after a while she asked if she can just put my daughter n her daughters car seat because she has “the same one.” One day I watched her put my daughter in her car and noticed that she was using the seat belt so I went out there to take a look at what was going on and saw that it was a booster seat, not a convertible car seat. She was confused as to why it wasn’t okay to put my daughter in a booster seat but has been sure to put her in the convertible car seat I approve of since then. Even though she corrected the issue I am still constantly worried when I leave my son and daughter with her. It is more stressful to have her come help us than it is helpful. Aside from the communication and safety issues with the language barrier she is a very sweet lady who I do like and my children seem to really adore. However, I cannot continue to work with her when I feel this way. I need to let her go and want to be honest with her, I’m just not sure if telling her that I can’t have her anymore because of the language barrier is a good idea and how I would go about doing so. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to let her go? Has anyone else been in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Why the hell would you hire a nanny who didn’t speak English?!

[Anonymous]

You let her go because she endangered your children and you two cannot effectively communicate and it's not longer working. You tried.

[Anonymous]

You're an idiot. Most likely, You hired a non-English speaking na NY because she was illegal and dirt cheap.

[Anonymous]

Not a smart decision to begin with and I have to assume the reason you made that decision was to save money. Give her two weeks severance as this is 100% your fault for hiring someone that you can’t communicate with, and be honest about the language barrier not working for you. Do better next time and know that it is okay if you can’t afford a nanny, go a different route.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't have hired her.

My friend did this, and her nanny didn't understand medication instructions and overdosed the baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're an idiot. Most likely, You hired a non-English speaking na NY because she was illegal and dirt cheap.

What a vile thing to say about another human being, across the board.

[Anonymous]

I think hiring a non-speaking Nanny is never a good idea.
For the reasons you stated such as needing help in an emergency, etc.
But perhaps you thought it was not a huge deal from the get-go, but now you know.

Life lesson learned.

I would have been upset by the whole booster seat issue.
But I would be vague + just tell her that it just isn’t working out as well as you had hoped it would.

It is entirely up to you if you want to offer her any severance pay, but you should definitely let her go.
For the safety of your children.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

*non-English speaking Nanny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're an idiot. Most likely, You hired a non-English speaking na NY because she was illegal and dirt cheap.

What a vile thing to say about another human being, across the board.

The truth may hurt but it is never vile!

[Anonymous]

I am a native Spanish speaker. I speak English and French flurntt. And while I speak fluent English, in an emergency, I would *probably* speak Spanish — 911 can handle that. They have Spanish speaking 911 workers and it would take seconds for that call to be switched over to a Spanish speaking operator.

And. Why didn’t you ask to see the car seat your nanny was going to use?! That is on you. She either uses your car or your seat — or you ask to see what she is using

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a native Spanish speaker. I speak English and French flurntt. And while I speak fluent English, in an emergency, I would *probably* speak Spanish — 911 can handle that. They have Spanish speaking 911 workers and it would take seconds for that call to be switched over to a Spanish speaking operator.

And. Why didn’t you ask to see the car seat your nanny was going to use?! That is on you. She either uses your car or your seat — or you ask to see what she is using

In this area, there are 911 operators that speak Spanish. In many other areas, especially rural areas, they’re only likely to speak English. In those areas, Spanish would be a factor for 911. Here, not so much.

I’d be more concerned about the miscommunications involving the child’s daily safety. Car seat, possible medication overdose, and similar things that could come up would make me very leery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a native Spanish speaker. I speak English and French flurntt. And while I speak fluent English, in an emergency, I would *probably* speak Spanish — 911 can handle that. They have Spanish speaking 911 workers and it would take seconds for that call to be switched over to a Spanish speaking operator.

And. Why didn’t you ask to see the car seat your nanny was going to use?! That is on you. She either uses your car or your seat — or you ask to see what she is using

It isn't just about emergencies though. Shouldn't your nanny be able to communicate with your neighbors, your kids' friends' parents/caregivers (to arrange playdates and such), instructors at activities (like library story time, dance class, etc.?)

[Anonymous]

It's a legit reason to let her go, but given that you knew she didn't speak English well when you hired her, I'd give her a very generous severance.

[Anonymous]

Just be direct, kind, clear and quick OP.

Give a severance bonus if you can - the more you can give the easier it will be for her (and on your conscience.)

All you need to say is that the communication barrier is a larger problem than you anticipated - the booster seat example is a perfect illustration of that.

Give her a letter that goes w/ whatever severance you're providing that lays out what you say to her in person. And don't fight her ability to collect unemployment.