You're right, 14:38, this doesn't have to be a deal breaker. OP wants it to be a deal breaker. She's complaining about scheduling phone calls for 'administrative items for the position' after she's signed a contract? What could she possibly need so desperately that can't be worked out via email or on her first day? OP is looking for a reason to break her contract, so she should just do it. Her reasons are ridiculous, but she's only her looking for validation for what she's already decided.

So let's give it to her. Go ahead, OP, break the contract before you even start the job.

I'm going to go against the crowd and say this doesn't have to be a deal breaker. I had a similar situation with the family I've been with for over a year and everything worked out just fine. The parents were over worked and over scheduled so things were a bit chaotic at first. Once I was able to step in to help and do my job things got better quick. I would say stick it out a month if you are happy with all other aspects of the job and see if things change.

Dodge the bomb. Do not take this job.

She seems quite scatterbrained to me.

I would send her an e-mail and let her know that it is very important to you that she be available when she says she will or if she cannot, then she needs to let you know so you are not left in the dark.

If this behavior continues, then I would go w/my gut and look for another position w/someone less flaky.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She has a full time job on top of managing her home, family and you. Cut her some slack.

I have been! I've been giving her the benefit of the doubt for over a week while calling her at pre-agreed upon times only to not have the call answered or returned. That would be frustrating to anyone. However, I goes much deeper than this. Basically, there has never been any follow through on anything and overall she just seems unreliable. Wouldn't you be concerned working for a proven unreliable person who didn't even have respect enough to answer the phone after scheduling a call with you multiple times?

And not for anything, I am a mother, have a household to manage, working with soon to be MB and running a full time business, yet I make time to call her when we schedule a call. Shouldn't I be shown the same respect?

At work, she is focused on her employment and keeping a job. In less it is an emergency, you do not call multiple times for minor issues. She will get back to you when she can. If she loses her job, your job will be the first cut. She probably expects you just to handle it.

MB here. She sounds disorganized to say the least and that could be difficult to work for.

You need to start interviewing again. If you had promising leads then call them and explain you are still available.

So, get a new job. Problem solved.

Anonymous wrote:She has a full time job on top of managing her home, family and you. Cut her some slack.

I have been! I've been giving her the benefit of the doubt for over a week while calling her at pre-agreed upon times only to not have the call answered or returned. That would be frustrating to anyone. However, I goes much deeper than this. Basically, there has never been any follow through on anything and overall she just seems unreliable. Wouldn't you be concerned working for a proven unreliable person who didn't even have respect enough to answer the phone after scheduling a call with you multiple times?

And not for anything, I am a mother, have a household to manage, working with soon to be MB and running a full time business, yet I make time to call her when we schedule a call. Shouldn't I be shown the same respect?

She has a full time job on top of managing her home, family and you. Cut her some slack.

I'm supposed to start a new position in a few weeks. I've had an issue with MB getting back to me or getting things done in a timely fashion from the beginning. I am organized and direct, and MB seems to be the opposite, which I'm already finding extremely frustrating. I'm having a very hard time getting in touch with her and keep scheduling time for phone calls to complete the administrative items for the position and my calls are left unanswered or returned. Then we reschedule and the same happens when I call at the scheduled time. This has happened multiple times already and we still haven't spoken.

I have committed to this job and have a signed work agreement. I'm concerned that, if this is how MB is before I even start, how much worse will it be when I'm working for her?! I'm seriously reconsidering taking this job!

Thought?