Sick leave - how would you feel about this?

[Anonymous]

Curious how other parent would handle this. Our nanny took 2 sick days off and tested positive for COVID on the second sick day. She said her symptoms are mild and she’s coughing and has a headache. Our pediatrician said she can return on day 5 with a mask if her symptoms are improving and we share that information with her. She responds on day 6 of her illness that she is doing better but would not return to work until the following week (day 12 after her positive test). She has the leave to cover the time off but has taken almost 2 weeks sick leave off unexpectedly (when she said she’s improving) during a week she knows she was badly needed to to one parent traveling. How would you respond in this situation?

[Anonymous]

Hopefully she takes this time to look for another job. Your nanny is sick. She has sick leave which she is using because she is sick. You sound disgusting and resentful because you want her back at work and she’s not coming back until she’s well. Watch your own kid, get a sitter. Please let your nanny rest and stop rushing her back to work because you don’t want to be bothered with your child.

[Anonymous]

I have said nothing to be disgusting. I am simply inquiring how other parents would handle this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said nothing to be disgusting. I am simply inquiring how other parents would handle this situation.

She has the leave to cover the time off but has taken almost 2 weeks sick leave off unexpectedly (when she said she’s improving) during a week she knows she was badly needed to to one parent traveling.

Again this is disgusting she’s sick and you’re griping because it’s been almost 2 weeks and your inconvenienced. You don’t care about her health or how she’s feeling just that you need her to work. It’s probably best you and your nanny part ways. I would be appalled if I were your nanny and read this post.

[Anonymous]

I'd suck it up. She's sick. Health happens.

[Anonymous]

If she has the time, what is the issue. Obviously, she wants to make sure she’s 100% before starting back to work. That sounds considerate to me! You can’t control when she takes the time off! Damn, I swear some of you parents treat us Nannie’s as if we aren’t human beings.

[Anonymous]

Our nanny got COVID last month(our son got sick at school and we didn’t know it was COVID until the very next day). We all got ill along with nanny but my DH. Nanny kept testing positive on day 7. So finally on day 10 she tested negative and came back to work on day 12. We paid her those 10 days that’s what sick leave is for. Illnesses happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully she takes this time to look for another job. Your nanny is sick. She has sick leave which she is using because she is sick. You sound disgusting and resentful because you want her back at work and she’s not coming back until she’s well. Watch your own kid, get a sitter. Please let your nanny rest and stop rushing her back to work because you don’t want to be bothered with your child.

A.M.E.N!!!!!! I hope she finds a new job soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she has the time, what is the issue. Obviously, she wants to make sure she’s 100% before starting back to work. That sounds considerate to me! You can’t control when she takes the time off! Damn, I swear some of you parents treat us Nannie’s as if we aren’t human beings.

You are the HELP and no matter how many times they tell you how much they love you, it is contingent on what you do for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have said nothing to be disgusting. I am simply inquiring how other parents would handle this situation.

Actually, you have and your post screams your selfishness, entitlement, and contempt for the nanny. As you can see, by now,p that everyone would encourage a sick nanny to take care of herself. Further, we would be grateful that she is considerate enough not to want to gve or child,(ren) Covid.

[Anonymous]

Different perspective. Professional white collar employees rarely just take off two weeks for work unless they are extremely ill. Certainly not for a mild illness, and certainly not without considering the impact their absence has on their team and colleagues. It’s odd that she is not taking it day by day. Like, who just says, I have a little cold, my symptoms aren’t bad, but I will need another full week to recover? If her symptoms are serious that’s another story but it sounds like she’s not telling you they are.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Also, it would be helpful if only other employers responded to these threads. It’s not fair to OP or other posters for all nannies to pile onto one post and pretend to be employers.

[Anonymous]

I would be frustrated in your shoes as well, but illnesses do happen and if she had the leave to take, it is her leave to do with as she pleases. I know this is annoying to hear, but that's why we need to have backup care. I don't have solid backup care myself so I need to figure out a plan - easier said than done.

I agree that this is the employer forum and having nannies pile on isn't necessarily helpful; though I do often appreciate reading nanny perspectives, I don't think OP was looking for them here. I've also laughed at a number of nanny responses recently that suggested parents have no leverage in making requests in job postings. I know it has been a nanny's market in the past two years, but I suspect that will change quickly as people transition back to daycare and schools, and especially as the economy turns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also, it would be helpful if only other employers responded to these threads. It’s not fair to OP or other posters for all nannies to pile onto one post and pretend to be employers.

Why do you assume that only nannies have responded? I responded and I am not a nanny. Far too many of you do not want to hear the truth. I was sick for two days after both boosters and stayed in bed for two days after both boosters. I can easily understand how someone with Covid would need to stay home for two weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different perspective. Professional white collar employees rarely just take off two weeks for work unless they are extremely ill. Certainly not for a mild illness, and certainly not without considering the impact their absence has on their team and colleagues. It’s odd that she is not taking it day by day. Like, who just says, I have a little cold, my symptoms aren’t bad, but I will need another full week to recover? If her symptoms are serious that’s another story but it sounds like she’s not telling you they are.

While I appreciate your perspective on this issue PP, Nannies typically do not even come close to being white collar employees.

OP > I think if your Nanny has the sick leave as a benefit, than she can utilize it if she wants to.

I can see why her taking it can be an inconvenience to you - but I would want my Nanny fully healthy before she returns.

For the future, perhaps you can have some back-up care.