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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]In a situation when you're given a time frame when parents are supposed to be home, how much time do you give them before you start calling them? Do you call or do you just fume inside?

(And let's not turn this into evil MB always late and never pays me because yes, it's a given we should be paid for additional time and our time should be respected. We're talking when for whatever reason the parents are late without letting us know in advance).

[/quote]
Daycares finally set some penalties to stop the abuse:

A dollar a minute after a short grace period.

Result:

No more irresponsibly late parents.

[/quote]

Actually, there were some interesting studies that showed that penalties like this can actually /increase/ the amount of lateness. The theory being, if people feel there is a negotiated way to compensate for being late, they are more likely to feel that it's acceptable. Not saying it's ok, but just that, in general, if your bottom line is that you want to leave on time you might be better off expressing that. If you negotiate a "late rate" the parents might feel that all is square if they just pay it.

http://rady.ucsd.edu/faculty/directory/gneezy/pub/docs/fine.pdf
[/quote]
That study has several issues.

1. It’s a flat rate.  If it’s either a set rate per unit of time an exponentially increasing rate as the parent disrespects the nanny’s time, it’s more likely that the parent would think it’s not worth it.  A flat rate is more likely to convince a parent that being 30 minutes late is not different from 15 minutes, if the flat rate kicks in at 10 minutes.

2. It’s not a punitive amount.  In order for something to be a deterrent, it has to be something that creates an intense need to avoid it.  When it’s a set amount AND it’s so small, it was asking parents to take advantage.

3. There were no other choices of response to lateness.  Most nannies who don’t want to be held over will let a parent know that if they aren’t able to be on time, the nanny will find other employment, and if it happens on a regular basis with a more flexible nanny, the nanny is more likely to negotiate for the typical late hours to be considered standard and guaranteed.

4. This was at daycares that had previously had no policy, and they went back to no policy.  Nannies negotiate contracts, and those contracts should have something about lateness.[/quote]

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