Anonymous
03/24/2014 18:20
Subject: Re:How much time for notice?
If I had a nanny resign one week before a planned vacation that she knew about and one week before she is due to start her new job, I would be livid and there is no chance that I would pay her for my vacation week. For goodness sake, you'll already be drawing a paycheck from your new job! Guaranteed payment for time that the employer does not need you is contingent upon your availability to work. If you have already started a new job by the time your current employer goes out of town, you are not available to work for them and therefore have no basis for getting paid. That kind of double dipping is not playing fair, and you know it.
Despite your differences in caring for the boys and the fact that you feel underpaid, it sounds like this family has been fair with you in terms of compensation and time off when you've needed it. Why would you leave them in a lurch? That kind of behavior will come back to hurt you someday. Most responsible nanny-employers require contact information for all recent jobs, and given that you've worked with this family for almost a year, they WILL be called by some employer you want to work for in the future.
Also, I think nannies overestimate the threat of being let go early. It takes a fairly long time to find a new nanny, finalize a contract, and wait out her notice period to her current employer. Do you really think your current family is not going to find someone new and start her right before they leave town? No, you are just looking for a way to get paid by two employers for the week your current family is out of town.
This kind of s--t reflects so poorly on nannies as a group. Do yourself and your nanny peers a favor and tell your current employer now that your last day of work will be the last day before their vacation. Four weeks is an appropriate amount of notice. At minimum, you should provide two weeks notice, meaning two weeks prior to their scheduled vacation.
She doesn't have to be available to the during what is likely her vacation as well. Even if OP gives notice 2 weeks before the vacation, you would be surprised the number of employers who would try to wriggle out of paying her for that vacation time, and you sound exactly like one of them. That kind of s--t reflects so poorly on MBs as a group, and is the very reason OP is getting the advice you see here. Almost all of us have had an employer screw us in some manner upon quitting. We have to protect ourselves, whether you like it or not.
NP here. So you think it is fine for a nanny to double dip and lie about it?
That attitude is what reflects so poorly on nannies as a group.
Funny you think it is fine to screw with employers this way.
Anonymous
03/24/2014 17:29
Subject: How much time for notice?
The OP said the parents were leaving for their spring break trip, and that she normally would be paid when they are out of town. If it's not her accrued vacation I wouldn't expect to be paid for it during a notice period.
Anonymous
03/24/2014 16:09
Subject: How much time for notice?
Anonymous wrote:If I had a nanny resign one week before a planned vacation that she knew about and one week before she is due to start her new job, I would be livid and there is no chance that I would pay her for my vacation week. For goodness sake, you'll already be drawing a paycheck from your new job! Guaranteed payment for time that the employer does not need you is contingent upon your availability to work. If you have already started a new job by the time your current employer goes out of town, you are not available to work for them and therefore have no basis for getting paid. That kind of double dipping is not playing fair, and you know it.
Despite your differences in caring for the boys and the fact that you feel underpaid, it sounds like this family has been fair with you in terms of compensation and time off when you've needed it. Why would you leave them in a lurch? That kind of behavior will come back to hurt you someday. Most responsible nanny-employers require contact information for all recent jobs, and given that you've worked with this family for almost a year, they WILL be called by some employer you want to work for in the future.
Also, I think nannies overestimate the threat of being let go early. It takes a fairly long time to find a new nanny, finalize a contract, and wait out her notice period to her current employer. Do you really think your current family is not going to find someone new and start her right before they leave town? No, you are just looking for a way to get paid by two employers for the week your current family is out of town.
This kind of s--t reflects so poorly on nannies as a group. Do yourself and your nanny peers a favor and tell your current employer now that your last day of work will be the last day before their vacation. Four weeks is an appropriate amount of notice. At minimum, you should provide two weeks notice, meaning two weeks prior to their scheduled vacation.
She doesn't have to be available to the during what is likely her vacation as well. Even if OP gives notice 2 weeks before the vacation, you would be surprised the number of employers who would try to wriggle out of paying her for that vacation time, and you sound exactly like one of them. That kind of s--t reflects so poorly on MBs as a group, and is the very reason OP is getting the advice you see here. Almost all of us have had an employer screw us in some manner upon quitting. We have to protect ourselves, whether you like it or not.
Anonymous
03/24/2014 15:55
Subject: How much time for notice?
Anonymous wrote:What does your contract say ? Mine says 4 weeks so that's what I would give. If you have no contract give 2
+1
My contract also stipulates 4weeks notice (on both sides), but if you don't have pre-set guidelines tell them two weeks before they leave on vacation - do not expect to be paid during their holiday but I wouldn't expect to be let go before then, either. They'll need some time to conduct interviews etc. If you trust them to keep you on, give as much as you can, but it all depends on the people involved.
Another example of a great reason to have a contract - knowing how to handle this kind of situation and knowing both parties agreed to it.
Anonymous
03/23/2014 12:09
Subject: How much time for notice?
What does your contract say ? Mine says 4 weeks so that's what I would give. If you have no contract give 2
Anonymous
03/23/2014 01:11
Subject: How much time for notice?
If I had a nanny resign one week before a planned vacation that she knew about and one week before she is due to start her new job, I would be livid and there is no chance that I would pay her for my vacation week. For goodness sake, you'll already be drawing a paycheck from your new job! Guaranteed payment for time that the employer does not need you is contingent upon your availability to work. If you have already started a new job by the time your current employer goes out of town, you are not available to work for them and therefore have no basis for getting paid. That kind of double dipping is not playing fair, and you know it.
Despite your differences in caring for the boys and the fact that you feel underpaid, it sounds like this family has been fair with you in terms of compensation and time off when you've needed it. Why would you leave them in a lurch? That kind of behavior will come back to hurt you someday. Most responsible nanny-employers require contact information for all recent jobs, and given that you've worked with this family for almost a year, they WILL be called by some employer you want to work for in the future.
Also, I think nannies overestimate the threat of being let go early. It takes a fairly long time to find a new nanny, finalize a contract, and wait out her notice period to her current employer. Do you really think your current family is not going to find someone new and start her right before they leave town? No, you are just looking for a way to get paid by two employers for the week your current family is out of town.
This kind of s--t reflects so poorly on nannies as a group. Do yourself and your nanny peers a favor and tell your current employer now that your last day of work will be the last day before their vacation. Four weeks is an appropriate amount of notice. At minimum, you should provide two weeks notice, meaning two weeks prior to their scheduled vacation.
Despite your differences in caring for the boys and the fact that you feel underpaid, it sounds like this family has been fair with you in terms of compensation and time off when you've needed it. Why would you leave them in a lurch? That kind of behavior will come back to hurt you someday. Most responsible nanny-employers require contact information for all recent jobs, and given that you've worked with this family for almost a year, they WILL be called by some employer you want to work for in the future.
Also, I think nannies overestimate the threat of being let go early. It takes a fairly long time to find a new nanny, finalize a contract, and wait out her notice period to her current employer. Do you really think your current family is not going to find someone new and start her right before they leave town? No, you are just looking for a way to get paid by two employers for the week your current family is out of town.
This kind of s--t reflects so poorly on nannies as a group. Do yourself and your nanny peers a favor and tell your current employer now that your last day of work will be the last day before their vacation. Four weeks is an appropriate amount of notice. At minimum, you should provide two weeks notice, meaning two weeks prior to their scheduled vacation.
Anonymous
03/16/2014 17:38
Subject: How much time for notice?
Give two weeks. The nanny always gets screwed, look out for yourself.
Anonymous
03/16/2014 10:06
Subject: How much time for notice?
I would give notice that included the vacation time. I gave notice at my last position two weeks before my vacation thinking that, as it was the only vacation taken the whole two years I worked for them, I would be paid for the 10 days. I was majorly shafted (we are talking no final bonus, no vacation pay). I regret giving them a month's notice...were I to do it again, honestly, I would have given notice the day I left for vacation.
I've been screwed over one too many times to look out for the family's needs before my own at this point.
I've been screwed over one too many times to look out for the family's needs before my own at this point.
Anonymous
03/16/2014 10:02
Subject: How much time for notice?
Do you need them as a reference?
If not, I'd be inclined to give two weeks notice including the week they are going on vacation, and not the two weeks before the vacation. You said yourself that you aren't sure if they would still pay you for that week they are gone.
If not, I'd be inclined to give two weeks notice including the week they are going on vacation, and not the two weeks before the vacation. You said yourself that you aren't sure if they would still pay you for that week they are gone.
Anonymous
03/16/2014 09:01
Subject: Re:How much time for notice?
Give two weeks notice - the two weeks before they leave on vacation - which will basically give them three weeks to find a replacement for you. And you don't need to give reasons "pros and cons" for leaving a position if you are being underpaid. Being underpaid is enough.
Anonymous
03/15/2014 23:08
Subject: How much time for notice?
I'd give a week or two. I'd probably want to meet with the other family for some days now to make sure we're a good fit before you quit and then work a couple of days for the new family and find out that's not working either.
Anonymous
03/15/2014 22:31
Subject: How much time for notice?
Anonymous wrote:I would tell them now. If they are decent to you, you be decent to them. If your other job does not work out you may need a reference.
OP asked how to protect herself. Most parents aren't "decent" when you resign before they're ready, unfortunately.
Anonymous
03/15/2014 21:53
Subject: How much time for notice?
I would tell them now. If they are decent to you, you be decent to them. If your other job does not work out you may need a reference.
Anonymous
03/15/2014 18:42
Subject: How much time for notice?
I work for a family that has two boys, early elementary age and preschool. I am their second nanny, the first was with them since the birth of both children, and I have worked for them for almost a year. They have been a 6.5/10 experience. In the end I have different expectations of what the boys are capable of and even though I have seen better behavior from the same age group, this family seems not to care and have an "our little angels can do no wrong" kind of attitude.
Pros: They pay me when they go out of town. I have the option to eat what's in the fridge. The grandparents are local and when I had car trouble the GPs would help out and I would still be paid for the hours I missed. They parents are relatively flexible about the days I take off.
Cons: Parents don't backup my discipline, even when they asked me to "teach" the boys certain skills and behavior, ie: brushing teeth (ew, what 5 year old doesn't know how to brush his teeth) or cleaning up their own toys. The grandfather undermines me in conversation with the boys. Parents allow awful behavior and plant the boys in front of the TV when they don't want the "hassle".
I have a new job opportunity but it will begin during a week when the family will be out of town for spring break. They (the family) had intended to pay me for that week because it was time they chose to take off. However they obviously will not do that if I quit. They took almost a month to hire me and had me shadow the other nanny during the transition. I am nervous financially because they pay me well under what I deserve for all the extra work that has snuck into my job description, so I haven't been able to save much. I am afraid they will quickly replace me because of the densely populated metro area we live in. There was no written contract.
At this point I have 4 weeks of work before they leave for their spring break trip. What kind of notice is appropriate and how do I protect myself financially without leaving the family in the lurch?
Pros: They pay me when they go out of town. I have the option to eat what's in the fridge. The grandparents are local and when I had car trouble the GPs would help out and I would still be paid for the hours I missed. They parents are relatively flexible about the days I take off.
Cons: Parents don't backup my discipline, even when they asked me to "teach" the boys certain skills and behavior, ie: brushing teeth (ew, what 5 year old doesn't know how to brush his teeth) or cleaning up their own toys. The grandfather undermines me in conversation with the boys. Parents allow awful behavior and plant the boys in front of the TV when they don't want the "hassle".
I have a new job opportunity but it will begin during a week when the family will be out of town for spring break. They (the family) had intended to pay me for that week because it was time they chose to take off. However they obviously will not do that if I quit. They took almost a month to hire me and had me shadow the other nanny during the transition. I am nervous financially because they pay me well under what I deserve for all the extra work that has snuck into my job description, so I haven't been able to save much. I am afraid they will quickly replace me because of the densely populated metro area we live in. There was no written contract.
At this point I have 4 weeks of work before they leave for their spring break trip. What kind of notice is appropriate and how do I protect myself financially without leaving the family in the lurch?