Snow Day

[Anonymous]

Hi fellow parents, are you guys asking your nanny to come in if DC shuts down tomorrow due to inclement weather? We gave my nanny two weeks off for the holiday season and she is supposed to return tomorrow but she said if it's really bad out she would much rather play it safe and stay in. I told her I will still need to work from home but my husband who is a teacher would be home but he is burnt out from the break and would need you to come in and take over. Am I asking a lot? Nannies should report to work even if it's snowing that shouldn't be our issue. Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying I want her to be safe but bundle up and come in. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I mean if you want her to be safe and it's not safe? Then I'm not sure how you're confused

[Anonymous]

No, it is not OK to ask her to come. What does "bundling up" have to do with road conditions anyway?

[Anonymous]

When my family need me on snow day they send me Uber. They do not let me drive.

[Anonymous]

I mean...OPM called it. Nobody should be on the roads who doesn't have to be. That would include calling an uber for your nanny. Not essential.

[Anonymous]

You do not give a crap about your nanny's safety and you only care about her coming to help you. Also, you say that your "husband is a teacher who is home but will be burnt out from the break"--seriously? No, your nanny should stay home and off the roads and your husband (and/or you) should handle childcare.

[Anonymous]

We always leave it up to DS' nanny. I have to work no matter what but DH can work from in between taking care of DS.

His nanny grew up and went to school in New England and feels comfortable driving in snow so often times will say she doesn't mind driving. When she doesn't come in, the days are still paid and don't count as vacation or sick days.

[Anonymous]

We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.

You said a whole bunch of NOTHING! It is simple if the roads are DANGEROUS stay home why ask someone to come out to your home to care for your kids if the roads are dangerous?! It’s not your responsibility but there’s a snow policy in my contract that states “if there’s inclement weather and conditions are unsafe we prefer (my name) to remain at home until conditions have cleared” sometimes it isn’t about money it’s about being a good human being. God forbids your nanny leaves her home to come care for the children you birthed in terrible weather conditions and “your car four runner” spins out and she crashes and passes away the only thing you would do is replace her. You get to stay home in your warm house and type all day but your nanny has to leave her house to get to you. Your response shows exactly the type of employer you are and person. You’re right it’s not YOUR responsibility it’s hers to say NO she most definitely cannot come in. No amount of money is worth a life . Your nanny need to rethink YOU asap. Shame on you!

[Anonymous]

I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

Drop your kid/s off to her then. You can risk your life/theirs for her to provide you childcare and relief from being burnt out from your own kids. Listen to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you pick her up/drop her off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I said she didn't have to come! And that it should be her responsibility to use her leave. Please read with your eyeballs. She received 32 days of paid leave last year, including unlimited sick time. We are very generous. Some people take advantage.

Typical i made this a topic in my nanny fb group because I can't believe people really act like this.. and judging from your response I hit a nerve but I said what I said. She should start seeking employment elsewhere..

[Anonymous]

To all families who say they still have to work from home no matter of the weather - drive your child to and from nanny’s house - she will be able to telework.

And no, it’s not ok to expect her to work. Nannies, include that in contract. We follow OPM status.

[Anonymous]

She definitely needs to rethink you.

Maybe you should have offered to pay for Uber instead …

Anonymous wrote:We are in DC and dealing with a similar but not the same situation. Unfortunately we did not include weather events in our contract. We told nanny she should stay home today, but will probably change course as the week goes on and ask her to return to work. I am not going to force her to come to work if roads are unsafe, BUT I also don't feel this is the employer's sole responsibility. I do not get a free day off if it snows. I am required to telework or use my leave. I know nannies will argue that they can't telework, but that's the job. Many many people cannot telework, so that doesn't garner a lot of sympathy for me.

Again, I won't force her to come to work. But if the employer has offered other reasonable solutions, the nanny should then have to take the responsibility either by using her own leave or taking an unpaid day.

We offered to let our nanny drive our car home w her last Friday, in the event that it snowed today, so she could use our four runner to drive to work. She declined. She is insured on this vehicle and drives it every day at work, so I don't think it was reasonable for her to decline this option. She said she didn't want to take it because her apartment complex only gives her one parking space, and then she'd have to park her car on the street or elsewhere. We offered to pay for covered parking at a nearby hotel, and she still declined.

So today she's home, and I used my leave to care for my kids. It's been fun taking them sledding and playing in the snow. I do think this snow will stay around for a while, and I'm not willing to give her a week off/use a week of my leave when she has been given reasonable options to accommodate the snow. In summary, my issue is that the full burden of dealing w unexpected events like snow shouldn't fall on the nanny family. The nanny has to make sacrifices too. I don't get unlimited leave from my job or guaranteed hours. We will be rethinking this nanny contract when it is up in the spring, and/or rethinking this nanny.