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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We're almost hitting 2 years with our nanny and this will probably the the last bonus season and we may be done before we technically hit another raise at the 2 year mark in March. (moving in a month or so, but date TBD)

Last year I gave her what I felt to be a pretty generous bonus which included a weeks pay plus extra days off that I didn't need her since we were on vacation (and she gets XMas Eve and Day; New Years Eve/Day per contract). I can't remember exactly how many days off I added.

This year, she's already over her limit by 1 day for vacation/sick days used and she plans to take 4 additional days around the holidays (so 5 total extra days for the year= 1 week). This year we're not doing a vacation, so I actually will be working part of the Christmas "week" so would need her the days she intends to be gone and will have to find back up.

We've discussed this with her and she's says she understands and will take them unpaid. I should add that 2 of the extra days were for a surgery, not just "fun"- [b]but also, you have certain days, you need to use/plan for unforeseen?[/b] My job doesn't just give me extra days willy nilly.

So, with that context, options to balance bonus and her extra time off seem to be:

(1) Full weeks bonus PLUS these 5 days extra paid because screw it, just be generous, we like her and it's our last bonus for her/maybe she should get more for year 2 anyway
(2) Less bonus (maybe $200 cash?) and still pay her the 5 days she wants off --> balance generosity without going overboard since she did use up all her days by choice
(3) Don't pay her the extra 5 days off via payroll company, but give her bonus week off in cash --> maybe has some tax benefit for her? Essentially what "technically" should happen
(4) Just pay her the 5 days off in regular paycheck and give no bonus since equates to be the same technically, but this seems less "Christmasy"

Ugh. I hate this. Last year when faced with this we went the generous route and that's where I'm leaning towards again, except it really equates to 2 weeks pay and I have a hassle of finding 3 days of care ([b]likely free though through employer benefits or family help[/b]).

ADVICE PLEASE!

[/quote]

The only problem with the part in bold is that many nannies don't get their vacation days paid out -- it's use them or lose them. So while I save up several vacation days for a trip around Christmas, I wouldn't hold onto all of my vacation days for the year on the off chance I suddenly need surgery in November. 
Also, per your post, you will likely get backup care for free.

I don't think it's fair to be annoyed that she had to take vacation days to care for her sick kids -- you made the choice to hire a nanny with kids, so part of the "blame" should be on you. Similarly, I don't think it's fair to hold it against her for using her vacation/sick days. The mentality in this area that you should never take time off from work is awful. We all need days to decompress. [/quote]

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