Nanny gave notice before paid vacation

[Anonymous]

My nanny of 5 years just gave notice today, telling us that she is moving out of state to live with her kids and grandkids. We are so sad but of course understand. She is flexible on the exact move date, but is hoping to move by mid-September.

The issue I am having is that we gave her the month of August off as we planned to be away most of the month. She is getting paid for this time. However, DH and I are kind of upset that we are now paying her a full salary for a full month off and then she will come back for 1-2 weeks before moving. Had we known she was going to leave we would not be gone for all of August since now we basically have a week to find a new nanny before we leave.

Do you think we still have to pay her in full since that was the agreement before she quit? Or can we go back to her to discuss and renegotiate in light of her leaving right after?

[Anonymous]

I would go ahead and pay her. I’m assuming that since she has been with you for 5 years that she has been a good employee. I would consider it a bonus.

[Anonymous]

Omg. Yes pay her.

[Anonymous]

Don’t be cheap, OP. I can understand your frustration, but do you really want to end this relationship on a bad note? Please do the right thing and pay her. It sounds like she’s been a wonderful nanny since you’ve employed her for 5 years. She deserves it.

[Anonymous]

So change your August plans and be home more so that you can find a new nanny, and tell her in light of the change she may not be getting as many days off in August as you originally told her. You can probably renegotiate the days you won’t need her in August, but you can’t renegotiate not paying her for the days you won’t need her, regardless.

[Anonymous]

Pay her the weekly salary you’ve been paying. What would you say to her anyway? We’re gonna be gone in August and were gonna pay you while we’re gone, but since you’re moving, can we pay you one (or how many?!) less, for no apparent reason? No, OP.

[Anonymous]

I think the only way you could reasonably do this would be if you have a shorter notice period in your contract. E.g., if your contract says 3 weeks, you can let her know that you’ll be paying out those 3 weeks but then won’t need her after your trip.

But if she has the skills needed, I would ask her to help you line up a replacement. Have her set up care.com and sittercity.com accounts with your CC and post and search for candidates and do all the legwork. If your time away is not PTO for her but is just paid because she has guaranteed hours then you should use her time while you are gone to narrow down the candidate pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My nanny of 5 years just gave notice today, telling us that she is moving out of state to live with her kids and grandkids. We are so sad but of course understand. She is flexible on the exact move date, but is hoping to move by mid-September.

The issue I am having is that we gave her the month of August off as we planned to be away most of the month. She is getting paid for this time. However, DH and I are kind of upset that we are now paying her a full salary for a full month off and then she will come back for 1-2 weeks before moving. Had we known she was going to leave we would not be gone for all of August since now we basically have a week to find a new nanny before we leave.

Do you think we still have to pay her in full since that was the agreement before she quit? Or can we go back to her to discuss and renegotiate in light of her leaving right after?

She has EARNED it by working the past year!!! She has taken care of your children for give years, kept them happy, healthy, and safe and you are upset about a month's free time?! What is wrong with you--other than being so cheap you squeak like a pair of $5.00 shoes. Shame on you and your DH!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So change your August plans and be home more so that you can find a new nanny, and tell her in light of the change she may not be getting as many days off in August as you originally told her. You can probably renegotiate the days you won’t need her in August, but you can’t renegotiate not paying her for the days you won’t need her, regardless.

+1

Employees quitting is often inconvenient but that is what the notice period is meant to help with. You have time to change your plans for the second half of August if needed to find a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

She’s been with you for five years.... Five years and your upset about paying her for this?

[Anonymous]

What would you expect your employer to do? How would you react if they tried to claw back paid vacation just because you gave notice?

[Anonymous]

Just consider that her severance. You can't not pay her - you already agreed to.

[Anonymous]

Every job that I have ever had did not allow use of PTO during the notice period when someone was quitting. I do think that if you are not going to pay her that you cannot expect her to work for you after August - you would be letting her go now.

Would you normally give her a parting bonus? Some families do and some don’t for a long time nanny that quits. If you would plan to do that anyway then I would consider the pay for August to be her final bonus.

[Anonymous]

Wow op just smh at some of the parents here. Gives great clarity on what you all really think of the people that raise your kids and love them while you nurture your careers.

[Anonymous]

If you think she’d be capable, have her start the Nanny search for you while you are gone. If she’s been happy with you and cares deeply for your kids, she might love the chance to help search for her replacement.

And yes, you still must pay her. She isn’t quitting without notice, and she’s been with you for 5 years. Her life is changing in a way that inconveniences you, but that doesn’t mean you get to be a jerk.

You could also ask her if she could give you up to 4 weeks of work after vacation, and offer her a bonus to delay her move. However, only do this if you can handle hearing “No, I can’t do that.”