I don't think you need to, but if you feel like she is a really great sitter and you want to do something extraordinary nice for her, by all means do it.

Just know there is no obligation or anything.

I'm sorry - but no. In any full-time position you are eligible for EI if you lose a weeks worth of pay due to no work available. Just because you *can* afford to lose a week of work, doesn't mean your employers should subject you to that. It's not fair for the nanny who relies on it as her sole source of income.

And who are you to say that she couldn't have found other work? When I was nannying I had 3+ families vying for part time evening and weekend sitting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the reason I ask for guaranteed hours. I can't afford to lose 1.5 weeks of my pay because you decide to go out of town. I would say at least pay her for 3 days (since she works 4 days a week, that was about 6 days lost right?). That way she will have some money and she will feel that you do right by her and she will be more loyal to you as well.

I had a part-time nanny/sitter and guaranteed her a set number of hours per week. I figured that would keep her from dumping me for a more stable situation (we had parents watching our daughter, and she was just there to give them a break a few days a week). She generally worked (and was paid for) 12 hours/week; we guaranteed payment for 10. Everyone seemed happy with that situation.

I'm the PP you quoted. I like guaranteed hours as I know I can count on the money. I have taken an extra 1 day a week position that is just for 1-1.5 hours that day. I am already close by when I finish my other PT job that day which just happened to be the day I got off early, so it doesn't take much time to get to that 2nd one. I am guaranteed $30 for that time, it usually is just one hour but if it ever goes over 90 I am paid extra. If she doesn't need me that day, I still get paid. Most people would have a HARD time finding someone for a 1 day (up to) 90 minutes position (with a chance for additional hours if available). I love it since it guarantees me half my cell phone bill for that time slot. I pick up a child from daycare and walk him home, then play with him for 20-45 minutes until parents get home. Easiest job in the world, great pay, but I wouldn't commit to doing that without guaranteed hours. I could see the parents trying to just pay for 30 minutes if they got home early, or canceling saying they could get him that day after all.

Anonymous wrote:This is the reason I ask for guaranteed hours. I can't afford to lose 1.5 weeks of my pay because you decide to go out of town. I would say at least pay her for 3 days (since she works 4 days a week, that was about 6 days lost right?). That way she will have some money and she will feel that you do right by her and she will be more loyal to you as well.

I had a part-time nanny/sitter and guaranteed her a set number of hours per week. I figured that would keep her from dumping me for a more stable situation (we had parents watching our daughter, and she was just there to give them a break a few days a week). She generally worked (and was paid for) 12 hours/week; we guaranteed payment for 10. Everyone seemed happy with that situation.

Anonymous wrote:I don't feel four days notice is enough time for her to make any alternative arrangements to make money. Her being a student is no excuse, I had rent and bills and worked when I was one.

This.

Why do so many people feel that just because someone is PT instead of FT, that it makes a difference in them not paying for days not needed? Someone who works just PT probably needs the money even more as it might be their only income. We need our regular pay just like a FT nanny does. Actually, some FT nannies could probably manage without their full pay for one week here and there, if they knew about it in advance and could budget for that over the month. A PT has less wiggle room with extra spending cash and what they actually need for food and bills each month.

Guaranteed hours are the only way to go with PT, as it is harder to find someone that will stick with you for more than just 6 months, and it can be difficult to find a couple PT positions (to earn more money) that have schedules that work with each other. Pay them for a regular schedule and they won't feel like they have to find a new FT job to be able to know financially that they will be covered. If they had to switch to FT, then that would mean one less person in the pool to hire for PT positions. If quite a few have to do this due to families that feel like taking 2 weeks off here and there and not paying for their PT nanny at those times, then it will be much harder to find someone for the job and you will have to pay much more per hour for someone as well. Prevent the high turn over rate and just pay for a regular schedule. Everyone will be much happier in the end.