Pay babysitter when she is sick?

cranburycakes

We have a new regular babysitter. She came today but she said she had the flu (it could be just a cold) but that she was ok. I debated for a little bit because I know she really needs the money, but then I sent her home. I offered to pay her for half the day. I have the sense that she might have gotten it from my boys, so I feel responsible. She refused getting paid for half the day, and said she would must make up the hours another time. What would you do? Thanks!

Mrs Manners

I paid our nanny for sick days because it was so extremely rare that she was sick and when she was, it was usually something she'd gotten from ds. It wasn't an "agreement" we had but was something I did because she never took advantage of it and because most of the time it directly resulted from her having cared for my sick child so I could go to work.

hikerbeth

When we had a regular sitter (nanny) we paid her for sick days.  It was part of our contract.

cranburycakes

Thanks for the responses so far.  I should add that she is part time and we don't have a contract.  She will be starting a couple of regular days with us, but so far we have just used her on an "as needed" basis.

hcmamm1

I would if you suspect it came from your kids. However if she was sick, like hung over, then no i would not pay her.

jlw2505

I would put sick days into a contract with her.  At my company, I get paid for a certain amount of days that I take off for vacation and sick days plus company holidays.  If she is your full time sitter, I would include this into a contract.