The notice provision in the contract isn't enforceable. It sucks that they're not living up to their agreement, but it sounds like they literally can't. To the people saying, "they should pay her!" That's nice. The contract still isn't enforceable. She needs to move on.

They are NOT letting her go but cutting her to 1-2 days and less pay! This is not the same as firing and the notice doesn't necessarily apply...

Read the contract. If you want to enforce it, it must be clear...

MB here. I don't get it - your contract says one month, you should be given one month's pay. It doesn't say "unless one of the parents loses a job, in which case, it's only a week's pay." If they have been extraordinarily great to you and are genuinely going to be struggling from now on, then I would say you could consider asking for 2-3 weeks. Otherwise, stick to your guns in the firmest possible way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here - it is tragic all around. Contracts don't account for these extraordinary circumstances. Just move on...

Actually they do. Our nanny is paid $18/hr. We have 3k set aside in a completely separate account that will be given direct to her if something unexpected happens, like a layoff. She relies on me to pay her bills and I have a contract that I need to PLAN to be able to uphold if the unexpected happens. The lack of business acumen and basic professionalism some parents (and nannies) exhibit on these boards is astonishing.

Well said. Thank you.

Sure, OP. $3k is not even a month's wages for $18/hr nanny, unless she is part time! Exercise some sensitivity to the fact this guy lost his job.

SHE IS LOSING HER JOB TOO! Why are you missing this? Guaranteed this guy has some sort of safety net. Nannies making barely a living wage don't have these luxuries.

This!!!! And on top of that her employer is probably also getting a severance package from his job. Everyone in here saying have a heart yada yada yada are being very insensitive to this nanny. In all professions employees have expectations yet nannies are supposed to just eat sh*t and move on to the next family. Give me a break! Nannies take care of others children and perform the duties of moms and teachers combined all day long. They take care of your most prized possession yet arent supposed to have professional expectations?!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here - it is tragic all around. Contracts don't account for these extraordinary circumstances. Just move on...

Actually they do. Our nanny is paid $18/hr. We have 3k set aside in a completely separate account that will be given direct to her if something unexpected happens, like a layoff. She relies on me to pay her bills and I have a contract that I need to PLAN to be able to uphold if the unexpected happens. The lack of business acumen and basic professionalism some parents (and nannies) exhibit on these boards is astonishing.

Well said. Thank you.

Sure, OP. $3k is not even a month's wages for $18/hr nanny, unless she is part time! Exercise some sensitivity to the fact this guy lost his job.

SHE IS LOSING HER JOB TOO! Why are you missing this? Guaranteed this guy has some sort of safety net. Nannies making barely a living wage don't have these luxuries.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here - it is tragic all around. Contracts don't account for these extraordinary circumstances. Just move on...

Actually they do. Our nanny is paid $18/hr. We have 3k set aside in a completely separate account that will be given direct to her if something unexpected happens, like a layoff. She relies on me to pay her bills and I have a contract that I need to PLAN to be able to uphold if the unexpected happens. The lack of business acumen and basic professionalism some parents (and nannies) exhibit on these boards is astonishing.

Well said. Thank you.

Sure, OP. $3k is not even a month's wages for $18/hr nanny, unless she is part time! Exercise some sensitivity to the fact this guy lost his job.

And now your remedial math skills have astonished me. Basic arithmetic seems to escape you.

You are eligible to collect unemployment. Waste no time in applying.

The guy lost his job, that is absolutely something to keep in mind. But now the nanny is losing her job. No indication whether the MB works, I assume she does because they have a nanny in the first place. I second the poster who expressed surprise about the lack of basic professionalism. The parents are the employers and as such have a responsibility to their employee.

To the OP. I would do a couple of things. First of all, start looking for a new job ASAP. Second, re-read your contract and make sure you understand what it says. For example, is there anything in there that provides for changing the terms of your employment without notice, or with less than a month's notice? They're technically not terminating you, but are rather reducing your hours dramatically and changing the terms of your employment. Make sure you understand if and how your agreement deals with that. Third, I would try to set up a time to speak to your employers and essentially try to negotiate. I don't recommend suing to try to enforce your agreement, but you can use it as leverage. Express sympathy for their situation, but note that the reduced pay will be a hardship on you as well, remind them of the one month's notice provision, and ask that they pay you two weeks in full and during that time use reasonable efforts to help you find a new position (emailing their friends, posting on a list serv or website, providing a recommendation). I think that would be a fair compromise for both sides. Hopefully you will find something quickly. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here - it is tragic all around. Contracts don't account for these extraordinary circumstances. Just move on...

Actually they do. Our nanny is paid $18/hr. We have 3k set aside in a completely separate account that will be given direct to her if something unexpected happens, like a layoff. She relies on me to pay her bills and I have a contract that I need to PLAN to be able to uphold if the unexpected happens. The lack of business acumen and basic professionalism some parents (and nannies) exhibit on these boards is astonishing.

Well said. Thank you.

Sure, OP. $3k is not even a month's wages for $18/hr nanny, unless she is part time! Exercise some sensitivity to the fact this guy lost his job.