i think that there is a reasonable expectation during the holidays that she would be paid in advance-that is how it worked for me as a nanny. there is an understanding that she may be traveling, buying gifts, etc. and that it is an expensive time of the year. nannies don't make a lot of money-that paycheck probably makes a big difference to her. sure, you can tell her that you'll pay her when it's due, but if you are otherwise happy with her i wouldn't be withholding during the holiday season.

I give our nanny a check, but date it for the day she's due to be paid.

Anonymous wrote:I have payroll set up. I would give her the check she would be receiving over holiday. If you can’t afford that then you likely can’t afford to have a nanny.

If you cannot afford, or have no desire, to advance an employee their pay ahead of schedule, before they are entitled to said pay, then you cannot afford said employee? Have you been drinking?

Uuh, pay on schedule unless a special circumstance arises. Name another industry, please, where employees can request and receive their paycheck ahead of schedule due to vacation. My federal HR department would laugh at me. As would any other HR department.

It is the nanny’s choice not to receive direct deposit. And that choice has consequences.

Anonymous wrote:This also depends on whether she has accrued all the PTO she is using, or if she is borrowing against some that she hasn't earned yet (like she is using up all the vacation she would have until next June or whatever).

If the former, then I would say it is more understandable for her to think it would come in advance. Maybe since it was not clear this time, you could do a compromise of half before she leaves and half when she returns, but come to an agreement of how it will be going forward. Perhaps point out that direct deposit would avoid these issues if she wants to reconsider that decision.

If the latter, I would advise not pre-paying her any more PTO than she has already earned.

At that point why would it matter she could just come back to collect her check and quit the next day anyway

This also depends on whether she has accrued all the PTO she is using, or if she is borrowing against some that she hasn't earned yet (like she is using up all the vacation she would have until next June or whatever).

If the former, then I would say it is more understandable for her to think it would come in advance. Maybe since it was not clear this time, you could do a compromise of half before she leaves and half when she returns, but come to an agreement of how it will be going forward. Perhaps point out that direct deposit would avoid these issues if she wants to reconsider that decision.

If the latter, I would advise not pre-paying her any more PTO than she has already earned.

Do you get an advance on your vacation pay? She should get it per the normal schedule. If she doesn't accept direct deposit, she should get it when she returns.

I would give her the cash prior since she may want some extra money to bring along w/her.

But I do agree, it should have been discussed in advance.

Perhaps her past families have always paid before she took the time off so she may have just assumed everyone did.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the input. it’s not that we can’t afford it’s that I just didn’t think about it much (first nanny) and planned to treat it like regular time that is paid in arrears. We have payroll set up but she didn’t want to do the direct deposit option, So she does have to be here to collect her check. Judging by her visceral reaction it was clear she was counting on that money so I feel like she should have brought it up ahead of time with me.

This I agree with. Any change from usual procedure should be requested well in advance.

MB here. We do direct deposit so she would simply be paid on schedule.

I would feel the same way as you about essentially advancing salary, but I probably wouldn't make a thing of it. I'd just chalk it up to a lack of clarity and write her the check.

OP here, thanks for the input. it’s not that we can’t afford it’s that I just didn’t think about it much (first nanny) and planned to treat it like regular time that is paid in arrears. We have payroll set up but she didn’t want to do the direct deposit option, So she does have to be here to collect her check. Judging by her visceral reaction it was clear she was counting on that money so I feel like she should have brought it up ahead of time with me.

I receive it prior to going away.

Anonymous wrote:I have payroll set up. I would give her the check she would be receiving over holiday. If you can’t afford that then you likely can’t afford to have a nanny.

+1.

It's not like you aren't going to pay those hours -- she's not coming in for them.

If you have direct deposit, you could also just pay on payday.

I have payroll set up. I would give her the check she would be receiving over holiday. If you can’t afford that then you likely can’t afford to have a nanny.

Do you pay PTO Ahead of time or after the nanny returns? Nanny taking all PTO at once for long trip over holidays and expected it all before she left ... we were not on the same page. Wouldn’t that basically be giving her an advance since PTO is just like regular wages?