Nanny issues

jessie spanos scared · May 2012

I just need to vent I think though any opinions you have on this would be great.

Today is the third time my nanny "overslept". I told her the last time that if this happened again I would have to let her go and today is that next time. Now I'm torn because DS loves her and lights up when she gets here. She is excellent with him and it's been a long road getting to where we are. That said I need someone who gets here on time.

Today I texted her after 20 minutes and asked if she was close. At the 30 minute mark I called and didn't get an answer. She texted me back after 45 minutes saying "I can be..." in reply to my asking if she was close. I called her then and flat out told her this was ridiculous. I asked if she wanted to come in as I have a meeting I have to call in for in a little bit and that we would discuss her future. I feel like I have to fire her now. I guess I'm just lazy and don't want to go through the process of finding a new nanny again. That and it's really close to month end and I need someone during that time. AUGH! I hate this.

MrsCodeMonkey · May 2012

That stinks! I would be really mad too.

MammaBear81 · May 2012

I'm sorry this happened, and I'd be pissed, especially because its not like it's 5 minutes (I mean late is late, but 45 minutes late is just ridiculous). You told her you would let her go, and I say you really need to. She is not respecting the fact that you need to get to work on time, you have warned her, and it is what it is. I hate the searching process but it will be better in the end!

Do you have a formal contract or anything? That might help with the letting go/firing process. Sorry you have to go through this!

hepcats · May 2012

Fire her. She's clearly not committed to the job if you already warned her and she was still late, and snarky about it! Don't worry, your LO will like someone else just as much!

JuneBugsMommy · May 2012

Have you had sit down conversations with her the last two times it happened or did you just tell her if it happened again she was fired once you got ahold of her/she got to your house?

If you really want to keep her I'd have a sit down convo letting her know that this cannot happen again and if it does she is definitely out the door. Let her know how comfortable you are with her watching your son and that DS loves her which is why you are willing to give her one more chance. As a former nanny I think this would be pretty powerful to hear from my boss. And maybe buy her an alarm clock too!

vigurl · May 2012

hepcats:
Fire her. She's clearly not committed to the job if you already warned her and she was still late, and snarky about it! Don't worry, your LO will like someone else just as much!

Yes

jessie spanos scared · May 2012

JuneBugsMommy:
Have you had sit down conversations with her the last two times it happened or did you just tell her if it happened again she was fired once you got ahold of her/she got to your house?

If you really want to keep her I'd have a sit down convo letting her know that this cannot happen again and if it does she is definitely out the door. Let her know how comfortable you are with her watching your son and that DS loves her which is why you are willing to give her one more chance. As a former nanny I think this would be pretty powerful to hear from my boss. And maybe buy her an alarm clock too!

I had a sit down with her that last time this happened. I told her that I would have to let her go if it happened again. She's been working for me since Feb. of this year so it hasn't even been that long of a span that this has happened in. I would really like to do the last paragraph and may actually (though I did just post an ad on care). I am definitely going to buy her an alarm clock if I keep her. I think I have a spare one around here somewhere...

11kacey · May 2012

Does she work every day? Did she know she was supposed to work today?

Because "I can be" makes it sound like she'd be doing YOU a favor, which isn't the case at all.

I was late ONE time when I was a nanny. I was told to come in at 9:30 (normally 8:30) and somehow in my head I thought it was 10. I got there about 15 minutes late (9:45) and I was so embarrassed and of course she had a call in meeting that day. It was awful.

She's been late three times in how many months? How late each time?

jessie spanos scared · May 2012

vigurl:

hepcats:
Fire her. She's clearly not committed to the job if you already warned her and she was still late, and snarky about it! Don't worry, your LO will like someone else just as much!

This is what I need to do. I just need to convince the lazy/nonconfrontal part of me that this needs to happen Smile

JavaVino910 · May 2012

hepcats:
Fire her. She's clearly not committed to the job if you already warned her and she was still late, and snarky about it! Don't worry, your LO will like someone else just as much!

Agreed! It would be one thing if she was just a little late and apologized profusely, but that doesn't sound like the case. If I was in your shoes I would let her go.

jessie spanos scared · May 2012

11kacey:

Does she work every day? Did she know she was supposed to work today? Yes, she works everyday and it's roughly the same time. I say roughly because at month end I've had her come an hour early.

Because "I can be" makes it sound like she'd be doing YOU a favor, which isn't the case at all. This pissed me off to be perfectly honest.

I was late ONE time when I was a nanny. I was told to come in at 9:30 (normally 8:30) and somehow in my head I thought it was 10. I got there about 15 minutes late (9:45) and I was so embarrassed and of course she had a call in meeting that day. It was awful.

She's been late three times in how many months? She's pretty much late all the time but the 5/10 minutes don't really bother me and I told her that. I just keep her 5/10 later. How late each time? The three times I'm talking about here are two hours (and she only works 4 hours a day), one time she didn't even call until two hours had passed so I told her not to bother) and then today. She just got here (eek) and it's about an hour and a half late.

vigurl · May 2012

jessie spanos scared:
11kacey:

She just got here (eek) and it's about an hour and a half late.

Get rid of her, she is stressing you out. 90 mins is NOT acceptable since this is not the first time.

MammaBear81 · May 2012

jessie spanos scared:
11kacey:

Does she work every day? Did she know she was supposed to work today? Yes, she works everyday and it's roughly the same time. I say roughly because at month end I've had her come an hour early.

Because "I can be" makes it sound like she'd be doing YOU a favor, which isn't the case at all. This pissed me off to be perfectly honest.

I was late ONE time when I was a nanny. I was told to come in at 9:30 (normally 8:30) and somehow in my head I thought it was 10. I got there about 15 minutes late (9:45) and I was so embarrassed and of course she had a call in meeting that day. It was awful.

She's been late three times in how many months? She's pretty much late all the time but the 5/10 minutes don't really bother me and I told her that. I just keep her 5/10 later. How late each time? The three times I'm talking about here are two hours (and she only works 4 hours a day), one time she didn't even call until two hours had passed so I told her not to bother) and then today. She just got here (eek) and it's about an hour and a half late.

Oh my word!!!! RUN, run away as fast as you can! After the two house incident I would have told her not only don't bother today, but don't ever come back.

For your next nanny don't let them know that 5-10 minutes is OK, it starts a slippery slope (a good nanny would respect the time frame) but I've never heard of anyone being 2 hours late and keeping their job!

ETA: how far away does your nanny live that once she told you "I can be" she didn't show up for another 45 min?

Magenta728 · May 2012

jessie spanos scared:
11kacey:

Does she work every day? Did she know she was supposed to work today? Yes, she works everyday and it's roughly the same time. I say roughly because at month end I've had her come an hour early.

Because "I can be" makes it sound like she'd be doing YOU a favor, which isn't the case at all. This pissed me off to be perfectly honest.

I was late ONE time when I was a nanny. I was told to come in at 9:30 (normally 8:30) and somehow in my head I thought it was 10. I got there about 15 minutes late (9:45) and I was so embarrassed and of course she had a call in meeting that day. It was awful.

She's been late three times in how many months? She's pretty much late all the time but the 5/10 minutes don't really bother me and I told her that. I just keep her 5/10 later. How late each time? The three times I'm talking about here are two hours (and she only works 4 hours a day), one time she didn't even call until two hours had passed so I told her not to bother) and then today. She just got here (eek) and it's about an hour and a half late.

WOW. This is unacceptable. Her response to you was ridiculous. And 2 hours late?? She is unprofessional and clearly seems not to care. Your DS will love someone else.

Telly21182 · May 2012

I agree with everyone else! If you haven't already, you need to let her go. I work at a desk and being on time isn't an issue and I'm NEVER more than 30 minutes late, and that's when I have to give Ty an impromptu bath due to poopsplosions! Even then I stay late or work through lunch, work a little from home that night, etc.

She's being very disrespectful of your time and the job - you need someone committed. Better to do it now than in a year when LO is completely attached.

courtneyjean7 · May 2012

Fire her! You gave her 3 strikes and now she is OUT!

jessie spanos scared · May 2012

I'm letting her go. I put a new ad up so hopefully I can get someone good ASAP. As it was suggested above I'm not going to allow any tardiness with the next one. Thank you guys for the advice and the ears.

JuneBugsMommy · May 2012

jessie spanos scared:

JuneBugsMommy:
Have you had sit down conversations with her the last two times it happened or did you just tell her if it happened again she was fired once you got ahold of her/she got to your house?

If you really want to keep her I'd have a sit down convo letting her know that this cannot happen again and if it does she is definitely out the door. Let her know how comfortable you are with her watching your son and that DS loves her which is why you are willing to give her one more chance. As a former nanny I think this would be pretty powerful to hear from my boss. And maybe buy her an alarm clock too!

I had a sit down with her that last time this happened. I told her that I would have to let her go if it happened again. She's been working for me since Feb. of this year so it hasn't even been that long of a span that this has happened in. I would really like to do the last paragraph and may actually (though I did just post an ad on care). I am definitely going to buy her an alarm clock if I keep her. I think I have a spare one around here somewhere...

After reading your answers to some of the other responses, I agree that she needs go... but I'd probably keep her around until you find someone new. 2 hours late isn't acceptable especially when she only works 4 hours, I could understand if it was a one time thing, but that fact that she is 5-10 minutes late on a daily basis (even if you told her it was okay) is just plain dissrespectful. This wouldn't fly if she were employed anywhere else and you've already given her more than enough chances.

Hopefully you'll find someone new soon, and like the PPs said your son will love someone new!

justme04 · May 2012

You already gave her a warning. If you don't fire her now she'll think she can get away with her behavior. She is your employee and you have the right to expect her to be on time.

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