Questions about vacation policy

[Anonymous]

We have a wonderful part-time sitter who has been with our family for two years now. Starting next spring, she will be almost full-time as we are expecting baby #2 then and I just recently went from SAH back to work. We never needed a vacation policy before because she was so part-time and the only time she would ever ask for vacation was over the holidays, when we ourselves would be gone 2-3 weeks, anyway. We also have always paid her when we are out of town, which has been 5-7 weeks per year, although this number will go down now that I'm working again.

Since she will be almost full-time, we need a vacation policy. In my area, FT nannies typically get two weeks' paid vacation, one week of her choosing, one week of ours. I'm totally fine with that, plus she'll continue to get paid whenever we are out of town.

My questions:
1. what is reasonable for UNPAID vacation? Our sitter mentioned recently that she's thinking about taking a group backpacking vacation in 2020 and based on what she's told me, it will last three weeks, possibly more. She gets to choose the dates of one week's paid vacation, but it's fair for me to put restrictions on any unpaid vacation request, correct? I'm fine with her taking up to 4 weeks off, but only if it's before September because Sept-Dec is a crazy time of year for us (and most families).

2. Is it fair for me to have a "blackout date" for the one week's paid vacation of her choosing? Basically, I don't want her to be gone at all the first week of school because DD will be starting kindergarten and doesn't transition well. Every year when she goes back to preschool is hell and I don't want to go through it without our sitter. That's the only blackout week I would consider out of the year.

3. How much unpaid vacation do nannies expect? Our sitter has been going to school, which is why she has been part-time with us, but I can see how once she is working full-time for us with steady income, she might want to take vacations more regularly. I am okay with her taking a four week trip next year, but to be honest, I don't know if I would be okay with this every year. DH works crazy hours and she is my only support as we have no family nor network we can rely upon. I'd be okay with a 2-3 week trip every other year.

[Anonymous]

All of this is reasonable as long as you put all your cards on the table, ASAP, so she can really mull it over and negotiate from a place of full information.

[Anonymous]

Our nanny expects zero unpaid leave which is great because we couldn’t give it.

If unpaid leave is okay with you - get all details down in writing.

[Anonymous]

I don't offer any unpaid vacation. I've never been asked for it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP to get everything clear now.

If this sitter is going to want to go for long trips at least once per year and you can’t manage it, both of you need to know now, not later. So, January, sit down and negotiate a contract or come to a realization that there’s now a mismatch in expectations. You may both be looking for a new situation, and that’s fine.

If you daughter doesn’t transition well, try to get the new person in by May, so they can handle the transition into summer, then back to preschool.

[Anonymous]

Op here and thank you for the replies. I spoke with our sitter about her upcoming vacation plans and she was thinking of traveling when we have family members visiting after the baby comes, not after school starts so thank goodness for that. I don't think I need to discuss unpaid vacation as a policy just yet; she's so considerate of us and I try to be the same for her so I think we can take it case-by-case if it comes up and we'll work things out as we always have done. I will sit down with her to discuss her paid vacation benefits and that the start of school is a "blackout" for us. Thank you again and happy holidays!

[Anonymous]

I think a month of unpaid every year is a lot. A one time trip is different, I would have discussion sooner rather than later.