I personally would never use a day unless I had been with the family 9-12 months min. I want to show my level of commitment before I start taking personal/sick days.

I can't believe that this is the typical expectation of a nanny. I rarely called in sick with my previous family (one or two days as year, I'd say) and was always met with compassion and concern when I did.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, next time I guess I'll go to work and give their toddler my virus.

Unfortunately that is usually what has to happen.

OP here, next time I guess I'll go to work and give their toddler my virus.

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? So because I've only worked for them for two months, I'm not allowed to get sick? That is ridiculous. So, I have to work for someone for a certain amount of time before it wouldn't be annoying to call in sick ONE day?

Np here. My rule of thumb is about 9-12 months after that then yes using 1 or 2 sick days should not cause alarm. I've gone to work as a nanny while having a miscarriage and I've gone in the day after I had emergency surgery. In my 15 years as a nanny I've taken 2 sick days. And I wish I could say I've taken zero but strep throat did me in.

Seriously? So because I've only worked for them for two months, I'm not allowed to get sick? That is ridiculous. So, I have to work for someone for a certain amount of time before it wouldn't be annoying to call in sick ONE day?

Let keep it real here...Youve worked for them for (not even/about?) two months and you've been out sick. Its annoying and stressful on the family.

If they can fly in a family member, why don't they hire a temporary nanny? I know it's costly, but surely it's cheaper than a last minute flight?

While I do think they are laying it on pretty heavy I would not get too worked up about it. Maybe this's is the quirk they have they you have to decide if you can tolerate. Every employer (and nanny) has their faults. Can you live with this one?

Anonymous wrote:You're being sensitive. They're just stressed and trying to make sure all dicks are in a row.

Ducks. I meant Ducks are in a row. Damn fat fingers and small iPhone keys.

OP , NANNIES ARE NOT SALARIED EMPLOYEES. This is FEDERAL law. State laws do not supercede federal law. You are being screwed. God helps them that helps themselves. Report them to your local wage and labor office. Stop being a fool.

They are being totally ridiculous. You have every right to use a sick day, and they in turn should have a better back up option. To fly somebody in sounds ridiculous and you cannot possibly be expected to know in advance when you will get sick or for how long, that's just the nature of sick days and is to be expected when you rely on a single person for care.

I would be worried about how they will behave as employers going forward if they are this dramatic about a sick day. Good luck, OP, sorry you are dealing with this and feel better soon!

You're being sensitive. They're just stressed and trying to make sure all dicks are in a row.

Yeah it's annoying when employers are like that, but it sounds like it was just a really bad week for them. Even if parents have backup care planned out it can still fall through, I would just let it go and move on.

I started nannying for a new family at the beginning of August after being with my old (beloved) nanny family for over 5 years. I am a dedicated employee and rarely ever take a sick day, often going into work when I feel poorly. As a matter of fact, since beginning my job in August, I caught a terrible cold from my charge and worked through it, and the subsequent sinus infection that resulted from that cold. I work 45-50 hours a week and am salaried, so I'm not really compensated for my overtime.

Anyway, I started feeling very ill yesterday and after spending all afternoon sick, determined I had picked up some 24 hour bug or something and let my MB know I would not be able to come into work this morning. She said she hoped I felt better soon, and then continued on in two separate text messages to detail just how much stuff they have going on this week (one parent out of town, leaving only one parent home to care for their child, how difficult it would be, etc.) and how they would normally fly a family member in from out of town to help in this type of emergency situation, but no family members are available this week so to please keep them updated on how I was feeling. Basically, she made me feel guilty and like I was inconveniencing them by being sick. I texted them today, like they asked, to let them know that I was feeling better, but had made an appointment with my doctor just to be checked and that I didn't anticipate not being able to come to work in the morning, but that I would be in touch with them after my appointment. Again, MB writes back to please let them know as soon as my doctors appointment was over because otherwise they'd have to fly someone in from out of town.

I don't know if I'm being overly sensitive, but I feel like they're making a pretty big deal about me being sick. I don't know what the point is of giving your employee sick days if you are going to guilt them into feeling like they are inconveniencing you by being ill. Am I wrong? I'm sorry they're having trouble with childcare, but I feel like it's the parent's responsibility to have a back up in the event of their nanny being sick. I am already not thrilled with this job, and the way this situation has played out is not making me feel any better about things.