Nanny fell asleep while watching my kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think those naughty pre-teens would get up to while nanny had dozed off? Drawing on the walls? Helping themselves to a cookie before dinner?

I think everyone should get a hour off during the day if they aren't feeling well. One of their co-workers can pick up the slack when they see them nod off because it's a bit much to expect an adult to actually give other people a heads-up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

And you need to help the person helping you raise your child.

[Anonymous]

Ok, we get that. That is how I live, even $20 is a big issue to my finances. But when I am really sick, I will call my boss and ask her if I could take a PTO day and do extra babysitting or something at a later date so that I CAN still get paid. I will let her know that if this isn't possible, if I am coming in to work (while sick) or will have to take a day off unpaid (if I can afford it or if my doctor has said I am contagious and cannot be around anyone). Most families WILL try to work with you on this and let you make up hours. Sometimes they will even offer me the day off paid without having to make up the hours (or let me go early with full pay if they can take over early that day). The thing is, I am not expecting them to give me the day off paid. It sounds like others ARE expecting this, that is why "wanting something for nothing" was mentioned. They want the money with no work for it.

This is a very reasonable response. The outraged, obnoxious posters are all avoiding the question of why the part time nanny didn't tell her employer she was unable to work and ask to make up the hours later. They just keep flaming that the any nanny she be able to sleep at her job and not do it to get paid. They seem to think showing up is enough and actually doing your job is not necessary. Their reaction is why nannies get a bad reputation as irresponsible, lazy, and unprofessional.

OP - you should have a conversation with your nanny and let her know that in the future if she is not able to work then she should call you, not just come in. Being available to work, means being available to work not just physically being there. You can also let her know that she could make up hours if she wants or take PTO depending on your agreement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, we get that. That is how I live, even $20 is a big issue to my finances. But when I am really sick, I will call my boss and ask her if I could take a PTO day and do extra babysitting or something at a later date so that I CAN still get paid. I will let her know that if this isn't possible, if I am coming in to work (while sick) or will have to take a day off unpaid (if I can afford it or if my doctor has said I am contagious and cannot be around anyone). Most families WILL try to work with you on this and let you make up hours. Sometimes they will even offer me the day off paid without having to make up the hours (or let me go early with full pay if they can take over early that day). The thing is, I am not expecting them to give me the day off paid. It sounds like others ARE expecting this, that is why "wanting something for nothing" was mentioned. They want the money with no work for it.

This is a very reasonable response. The outraged, obnoxious posters are all avoiding the question of why the part time nanny didn't tell her employer she was unable to work and ask to make up the hours later. They just keep flaming that the any nanny she be able to sleep at her job and not do it to get paid. They seem to think showing up is enough and actually doing your job is not necessary. Their reaction is why nannies get a bad reputation as irresponsible, lazy, and unprofessional.

OP - you should have a conversation with your nanny and let her know that in the future if she is not able to work then she should call you, not just come in. Being available to work, means being available to work not just physically being there. You can also let her know that she could make up hours if she wants or take PTO depending on your agreement.

Or give her the same common "benefits" you are given at your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, we get that. That is how I live, even $20 is a big issue to my finances. But when I am really sick, I will call my boss and ask her if I could take a PTO day and do extra babysitting or something at a later date so that I CAN still get paid. I will let her know that if this isn't possible, if I am coming in to work (while sick) or will have to take a day off unpaid (if I can afford it or if my doctor has said I am contagious and cannot be around anyone). Most families WILL try to work with you on this and let you make up hours. Sometimes they will even offer me the day off paid without having to make up the hours (or let me go early with full pay if they can take over early that day). The thing is, I am not expecting them to give me the day off paid. It sounds like others ARE expecting this, that is why "wanting something for nothing" was mentioned. They want the money with no work for it.

This is a very reasonable response. The outraged, obnoxious posters are all avoiding the question of why the part time nanny didn't tell her employer she was unable to work and ask to make up the hours later. They just keep flaming that the any nanny she be able to sleep at her job and not do it to get paid. They seem to think showing up is enough and actually doing your job is not necessary. Their reaction is why nannies get a bad reputation as irresponsible, lazy, and unprofessional.

OP - you should have a conversation with your nanny and let her know that in the future if she is not able to work then she should call you, not just come in. Being available to work, means being available to work not just physically being there. You can also let her know that she could make up hours if she wants or take PTO depending on your agreement.

You are all also assuming that she didn't try that. OP has yet to answer the question of whether she offers PTO or not. You're assuming that OP would allow the hours to be made up. I've had MBs that didn't allow this. It's just as ridiculous to assume that OP is unprevailingly generous given her original post, as it is to assume this nanny is lazy, entitled, or irresponsible. She very well may not have realized how the medication would have affected her, and thought she could push through. Nannies that never take any time off are highly regarded by families, and there is a lot of pressure in this industry to never get sick or burn out because you are the only employee and the smooth running of your "company" is dependent upon you. As an employee I would do my best to make sure my ass is always covered, but as an employer I would try to be gracious and understanding where I could. This is the point of view that I'm posting from. If the nanny had posted I'd have recommended she find ways to be better prepared to handle such a situation in the future. But she didn't post. mB posted and my advice is to try to be more understanding next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

+1

And PP1, I would argue that it is an employer's responsibility to ensure his or her staff can survive on what he pays. It's a shame that more employers don't recognize it, but THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

+1

And PP1, I would argue that it is an employer's responsibility to ensure his or her staff can survive on what he pays. It's a shame that more employers don't recognize it, but THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

The nanny is a part-time employee. Now employers have to make sure their part-time employees can survive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

And you need to help the person helping you raise your child.

No, it is not their responsibility to help the person raising their child. It is their responsibility to pay the person for their hours worked. It is also a PT position that very commonly do not have benefits. If they want to ask about doing some hours later when the position normally doesn't do that, that is totally fine to ask about when the time comes. I think any parent can appreciate their nanny coming to them with this and would try to work something out. But don't ever think that it is their job to offer this in the first place. The nanny has a freaking mouth and tongue, she can speak and user her words to ask about it. If a 2 yr old can learn to "use their words" when asking for something, I think an adult should be able to as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

My logic doesn't apply here? I am not comparing a nanny position to a fast food place in regards to duties. I am comparing an hourly rate PT position to another hourly rate PT position where neither have benefits of vacation and sick days. Get it? I highly doubt that that position is that difficult either. It's with an 11 and 13 yr old, and the mom is in the house with them. Totally different story than if comparing to a position with a 9 month old infant where the nanny is working 50-60 hours a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

+1

And PP1, I would argue that it is an employer's responsibility to ensure his or her staff can survive on what he pays. It's a shame that more employers don't recognize it, but THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

It is not the employer's responsibility to make sure their staff can survive on what they pay. I can decide that I want to live in a $2000/month apartment instead of a $950/room in a shared living situation. It is my MB's job to make sure I earn enough to pay for that? That would obviously not be true. Is it their job to see that I can afford the $5 organic milk instead of the $3 milk? Or the national name brand of an item instead of the cheap generic brand? No, it is not. It is their job to pay me a fair market rate (and that is at least minimum wage). People are forgetting that this is most likely a PT position. If you want to work PT, you either learn to live on a smaller amount of money, or get more than 1 job. You make sure that you are working enough hours overall with a rate you can afford to live on. I don't go into a job interview and say I want your position, but I cannot take that $16/hr you want to pay, I need $18 instead so that I can cover all my bills. You either take the position, find something else, or go get a second job in another industry (like fast food) to make enough. You people are so ignorant that you think it is ANYONE ELSE'S responsibility but your own to make sure you are earning enough money to live on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

+1

And PP1, I would argue that it is an employer's responsibility to ensure his or her staff can survive on what he pays. It's a shame that more employers don't recognize it, but THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

It is not the employer's responsibility to make sure their staff can survive on what they pay. I can decide that I want to live in a $2000/month apartment instead of a $950/room in a shared living situation. It is my MB's job to make sure I earn enough to pay for that? That would obviously not be true. Is it their job to see that I can afford the $5 organic milk instead of the $3 milk? Or the national name brand of an item instead of the cheap generic brand? No, it is not. It is their job to pay me a fair market rate (and that is at least minimum wage). People are forgetting that this is most likely a PT position. If you want to work PT, you either learn to live on a smaller amount of money, or get more than 1 job. You make sure that you are working enough hours overall with a rate you can afford to live on. I don't go into a job interview and say I want your position, but I cannot take that $16/hr you want to pay, I need $18 instead so that I can cover all my bills. You either take the position, find something else, or go get a second job in another industry (like fast food) to make enough. You people are so ignorant that you think it is ANYONE ELSE'S responsibility but your own to make sure you are earning enough money to live on.

Stop being intentionally obtuse. it is your responsibility to pay someone a living wage and we all know minimum wage is NOT a living wage but that is a whole other issue. Paying someone enough to live on does not mean paying them enough to afford anything they want, but enough to live on (BASIC necessities). For a part time job, I do not believe that you have the same responsibility, but I do feel that you have a responsibility as a fellow human being to aid someone in dire need when it'd be no skin off your back. These children are 11 and 13. My may be home doing who knows what but given their age and her presence, they are in no immediate danger(barring special needs which OP didn't indicate and would change things entitirely) if mom sends the extremely ill nanny home. You can say she should have to make the hours up, do extra housekeeping or whatever because she isn't "entitled" to something for nothing, but that is a discussion that should have happened before this and since it didn't can wait until she is better. If you can't see that, then there really is something wrong with your moral compass or maybe it just doesn't work around people you deem invisible or unimportant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A nanny shouldn't "expect" anything but what she agreed to, but an MB *should* have the decency to offer a PTO day for someone who clearly needs it and can't afford it otherwise. You all can muster more outrage over the treatment of your vegetables...

You really have a chip on your shoulder.

Nope no chip. Just an observation. I've seen some of the most abhorrent attitudes from nannies and MBs alike on this site, but this thread really bothers me. The fact that OP was so clueless she had to come here to check if this is a firing offense, and when it was suggested that the nice reasonable human thing to do would have been to send her home with pay, a bunch of MBs jumped down our throats going on about professionalism and entitlement. Given the choice, do you pick 1)taking a job with no PTO or 2)remaining jobless, risking your savings and your welfare? Lets say you take the job. You find yourself extremely ill one day/recently hospitalized. Do you 1)call out from work knowing you won't be able to pay your rent/grocery bill/daycare and that you and perhaps your children will go hungry or 2) go into work and do the best you can. It's easy to say you just wouldn't take a job without PTO or that you'd negotiate it but the reality is that some people just aren't in the position to do so. It's also easy to say that you'd put your professionalism before your bills or your needs, but until you've been there you can't say for sure that you would. Have some compassion please. Being a kind and caring person goes beyond being nice to people you feel are worth it (in your circle/peer group/social class) or donating to a charity once a year for the tax write off.

There are many jobs where there is no boss that will consider giving the person time off paid if they are sick. They won't do that at Starbucks, or at Burger King. It's called life. Yes, things can get crappy if you have to take an unpaid day off and you cannot afford to do it. It is not someone else's responsibility to make sure that anyone else has enough money to pay their bills and buy food for themselves though. That is the way it is. Most of you people that are going on about this have never had to experience more than maybe going with a bit less food for a bit. I have gone through not having ANYTHING, no place to live, no car, no money at all because I ran out of savings. When you don't have more than the clothes on your back because you can't carry a suitcase around with you all day when homeless, and things get stolen the first second you take your eyes off of it, you learn to live with the basics. Believe me, I can manage to survive living off of the smallest amount of money now, because I know that as long as I have a place to live, food of any kind to eat, that nothing else matters. I don't go and waste the money that I earn, so that I can save money to help cover those unexpected times that you have to take a day off unpaid. Even living paycheck to paycheck there are ways to save some money here and there. While I appreciate the kindness of my MBs that offer to help make up hours later one for a paid day off, or just give me the day off paid anyways, I make sure that I can find a way to deal with taking an unpaid day off if it is needed. If you are working and can't find anyway to save something, then you are living beyond your means. Or you need to find another job to go with your current one, a better paying job, etc. You need to help yourself.

Your logic doesn't-or shouldn't-apply here. Comparing being a nanny to working in fast food is just insulting. This job comes with many more responsibilities, and therefor, should come with more benefits (which Starbucks would actually give you!). Nannies and MB's are in a unique employment situation where some compassion and empathy is to be expected, it is so sad to see how few people understand this.

+1

And PP1, I would argue that it is an employer's responsibility to ensure his or her staff can survive on what he pays. It's a shame that more employers don't recognize it, but THAT IS THE WAY IT IS.

It is not the employer's responsibility to make sure their staff can survive on what they pay. I can decide that I want to live in a $2000/month apartment instead of a $950/room in a shared living situation. It is my MB's job to make sure I earn enough to pay for that? That would obviously not be true. Is it their job to see that I can afford the $5 organic milk instead of the $3 milk? Or the national name brand of an item instead of the cheap generic brand? No, it is not. It is their job to pay me a fair market rate (and that is at least minimum wage). People are forgetting that this is most likely a PT position. If you want to work PT, you either learn to live on a smaller amount of money, or get more than 1 job. You make sure that you are working enough hours overall with a rate you can afford to live on. I don't go into a job interview and say I want your position, but I cannot take that $16/hr you want to pay, I need $18 instead so that I can cover all my bills. You either take the position, find something else, or go get a second job in another industry (like fast food) to make enough. You people are so ignorant that you think it is ANYONE ELSE'S responsibility but your own to make sure you are earning enough money to live on.

Stop being intentionally obtuse. it is your responsibility to pay someone a living wage and we all know minimum wage is NOT a living wage but that is a whole other issue. Paying someone enough to live on does not mean paying them enough to afford anything they want, but enough to live on (BASIC necessities). For a part time job, I do not believe that you have the same responsibility, but I do feel that you have a responsibility as a fellow human being to aid someone in dire need when it'd be no skin off your back. These children are 11 and 13. My may be home doing who knows what but given their age and her presence, they are in no immediate danger(barring special needs which OP didn't indicate and would change things entitirely) if mom sends the extremely ill nanny home. You can say she should have to make the hours up, do extra housekeeping or whatever because she isn't "entitled" to something for nothing, but that is a discussion that should have happened before this and since it didn't can wait until she is better. If you can't see that, then there really is something wrong with your moral compass or maybe it just doesn't work around people you deem invisible or unimportant.

Well said.