How often does your nanny call out sick? What's your back-up plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 6 months, our nanny has used 5 days of sick leave. Our contract gives her 5 days of sick leave, which she accrues over time. I've advanced her the sick leave so far but I need to tell her that I can't do it anymore. I'm concerned that if she's already used 5 days from late spring to early fall, winter is going to be a problem. We are very careful about germs (my toddler has never even had a cold), so I wonder if our nanny is erring on the side of caution. It doesn't sound like anything more than run of the mill colds or stomach bugs. I dislike the idea of her caring for our child while sick, but I also feel bad about telling her she needs to take unpaid leave if she's feeling well enough to work despite sniffles (plus it is stressful for me to take the day off work at the last minute). Would you all let a sick nanny (testing negative for covid) care for your child if the nanny wears an N95 mask?

We have the same issue. I had to have the conversation with her and explain, as it says in our contract, that the leave accrues and while the first few times were genuine emergencies and we were happy to advance it, moving forward that time would be unpaid and if she had a negative balance she would need to repay us if she left. Message was received.

Our nanny has now come to work with sniffles and we don't require a mask. Our 1 year old has gotten colds and other childhood illnesses (RSV from swim class!), but nanny still comes. It's the nature of the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is there a way to contact you? I’m interested in your position.

Please post your qualification and $$ & location requirements and contact information under Nanny Positions - VA.

[Anonymous]

Good hustle above!

If they don't work out & you need to keep this current nanny, raise her pay to the $30 immediately. Chose some things you like that she does and say that's why it's time for the increase. She may not have felt comfortable negotiating her wage at hire but probably was hoping you'd offer $30. ** Include that the 2 or 3 days off a month are a problem though and that needs to change. Does she have any suggestions? Because otherwise you need to look at options. But see what she says. You never know.

Next look at her week. Does she have down time during the shift? Where she is able to chill out for bit? The pause that refreshes. If not make this happen. Four kids are grueling. I have 3. They are my own & it still can be a lot.

Maybe this could mean a half day paid on Friday or Weds where she can leave early but still get paid.

It's trying to get the person invested in a tough job. Giving them a reason to invest in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good hustle above!

If they don't work out & you need to keep this current nanny, raise her pay to the $30 immediately. Chose some things you like that she does and say that's why it's time for the increase. She may not have felt comfortable negotiating her wage at hire but probably was hoping you'd offer $30. ** Include that the 2 or 3 days off a month are a problem though and that needs to change. Does she have any suggestions? Because otherwise you need to look at options. But see what she says. You never know.

Next look at her week. Does she have down time during the shift? Where she is able to chill out for bit? The pause that refreshes. If not make this happen. Four kids are grueling. I have 3. They are my own & it still can be a lot.

Maybe this could mean a half day paid on Friday or Weds where she can leave early but still get paid.

It's trying to get the person invested in a tough job. Giving them a reason to invest in it.

With four kids, the best relaxation for the nanny is taking the children to the park and then watching from the bench. They run for 1-3 hours, nanny gets to sit and breathe. It takes a little bit of work to make sure they all understand that they're not to leave the play structure area, and you still have to have your eyes flitting between them, but that's the only way you get to sit and rest. The rest of the time, if you're doing what is best for the children, you're constantly moving. And unless it's multiples 3 and under? There's no naptime for at least some of them.

~Nanny, up to 7

[Anonymous]

3 kids though, really? Are your genes twice as superior as everyone else’s that you needed to leave twice as many to replace you and DH? You are aware that there are 8 billion of us, right? If we all had 4 kids, and they each had 4 kids…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3 kids though, really? Are your genes twice as superior as everyone else’s that you needed to leave twice as many to replace you and DH? You are aware that there are 8 billion of us, right? If we all had 4 kids, and they each had 4 kids…

^4! Not 3

[Anonymous]

One calls IN sick, not OUT sick.