Nanny sick days - advice needed

teach1008 · February 2014

Good Morning! I don't usually post here but often read discussions and have gotten good advice in the past. I need some feedback on a nanny issue.

Some background...I work part-time (2 days/wk, normally Tues/Wed) as a reading teacher. While I am committed to 2 specific days, I can be somewhat flexible when needed and my principal doesn't seem to mind, so long as I'm getting my work done. (I worked full-time at this school the past 3 years and she's been very generous in letting me work part-time to keep my foot in the door.) We hired a nanny for my youngest (DS is in preschool). She's in grad school part-time and the two days is a good fit for her schedule. She's a great nanny - takes good care of DD, no complaints there.

However, I feel like she's sick a lot. She started for us back in mid-August and up to this point has had 6 sick days. Now, up to today I have just switched my days at school because the nanny has been able to come in on Fridays when she doesn't have class. Technically today is my first sick day and week when I can't go to school for my 2 days. She also had a week where she had an appointment last minute and asked to switch days. I don't mind using sick days, but it's starting to bother me to always switch my school schedule and who knows, maybe it bothers the other teachers at school, whose students I work with. I also hate to seem flaky, even though it's not me who's sick!

Questions - Does this seem like a lot of sick days to have? (The nanny we had for DS for a year was only sick 1 time for a day!) If I look for a daycare is DD just going to start getting sick there and I'll end up using sick days anyways?? (She has been sick a couple times already bc of DS and his preschool germs.)

The only other thing to consider I guess, is that for next school year I am planning on using a daycare instead of nanny, to cut back on costs, so I wouldn't keep the nanny past the end of May anyways. Do I suck it up and stick with her until May or look now for daycare??

I appreciate any advice!!

jf198400 · February 2014

That is excessive. Is she really sick that much?? I'd be skeptical and think she needed last minute time off to finish her school assignments or something. I'd have a talk with her about it and how it is affecting your job and that this is not acceptable. Personally I'd consider finding someone new. I wouldn't switch to DC now b/c it will just cause your LO to get sick more often.

FemShep · February 2014

I wouldn't look for a new daycare now if you're only keeping the nanny until the end of May anyways.

Six sick days since the end of August sounds excessive, but if she has a chronic health condition, I would understand it. I also got a terrible cold/infection/virus, and spent literally the entire month of January sick. Sometimes it happens. If you're really happy with her, I'd stick it out for 3 1/2 more months.

teach1008 · February 2014

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I really do think she genuinely is sick, as I can tell she is recovering with a cough/stuffy nose, etc. when she returns. Maybe she has a weak immune system? I really don't know! I think I'll reiterate with her that it's not so convenient to switch my school days. She's not paid on those days, so it's not so much about the money, from our end, but it's frustrating none-the-less. Hopefully I can just make it to May as some of you suggested!

sillygirlio · February 2014

I didn't read the replies, so I'm probably repeating everything they've said... but it does seem like a lot of days to be sick. Has she been a nanny before? I know when I was first working with kids I was sick CONSTANTLY... but I also went to work sick unless I had a fever or was throwing up. It's just part of the deal.

It's also possible that she has the impression that your schedule is super flexible and that it's no big deal for you to rearrange your schedule. I think you'd be well within your rights to tell her that it's causing issues for you at work and you need to stick to your scheduled days. She may not know it bothers you.

Then, tell her to get some emergenC and a neti pot... both life savers of the childcare provider!

sillygirlio · February 2014

Oh, and I'd try to stick it out through the school year if your child really likes her... transition to a new provider can be tough. I'd try having the conversation first and see if that helps.

emberlee3 · February 2014

sillygirlio said:
I didn't read the replies, so I'm probably repeating everything they've said... but it does seem like a lot of days to be sick. Has she been a nanny before? I know when I was first working with kids I was sick CONSTANTLY... but I also went to work sick unless I had a fever or was throwing up. It's just part of the deal.
It's also possible that she has the impression that your schedule is super flexible and that it's no big deal for you to rearrange your schedule. I think you'd be well within your rights to tell her that it's causing issues for you at work and you need to stick to your scheduled days. She may not know it bothers you.
Then, tell her to get some emergenC and a neti pot... both life savers of the childcare provider!

No! Neti pots are really dangerous. People don't sterilize properly or use unsterile water and can get life threatening infections.

Saline mist nasal spray is very safe and effective.

I agree with your other comments.

sillygirlio · February 2014

No! Neti pots are really dangerous. People don't sterilize properly or use unsterile water and can get life threatening infections. Saline mist nasal spray is very safe and effective. I agree with your other comments.

Noooooo! Don't tell me that! I love my neti pot and up until now my ignorance has been bliss. :P

Am I ok if I use distilled water and run the pot through the sanitize cycle on my dishwasher after each use?

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread OP...

emberlee3 · February 2014

sillygirlio said:

No! Neti pots are really dangerous. People don't sterilize properly or use unsterile water and can get life threatening infections.

Saline mist nasal spray is very safe and effective.

I agree with your other comments.

Noooooo! Don't tell me that! I love my neti pot and up until now my ignorance has been bliss. :P

Am I ok if I use distilled water and run the pot through the sanitize cycle on my dishwasher after each use?

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread OP...

No you must use sterile water. I don't know how to sterilize the Neti pot. I assume it came with instructions? But really plain saline mist nasal spray is safer and more effective.

dizzycooks · February 2014

Too many sic days. I agree she is probably under the impression your schedule is semi flexible (btw I am Reading teacher and I would kill for your schedule!!). There's also the chance she is overly cautious and thinks you'd hate to have your little darling around a cold at all. However, I get ten days each year as sick time and I am ft so no, that's way too much, I would be in big trouble. If you choose to keep her, which I would give her a warning and move on if it continues personally, can your DH take every other occurrence so you don't need to change your schedule?

teach1008 · February 2014

dizzykates said:

Too many sic days. I agree she is probably under the impression your schedule is semi flexible (btw I am Reading teacher and I would kill for your schedule!!). There's also the chance she is overly cautious and thinks you'd hate to have your little darling around a cold at all. However, I get ten days each year as sick time and I am ft so no, that's way too much, I would be in big trouble. If you choose to keep her, which I would give her a warning and move on if it continues personally, can your DH take every other occurrence so you don't need to change your schedule?

I know, I have an awesome schedule! Hoping to keep it or go to 3 days next year.

As for her impression of my flexibility..She nannies for another family on Mondays and she has class on Thursdays, so I can only make up a day on Fridays. If she doesn't work the 2 days she doesn't get paid, so I don't think she wants to lose a day either. When I spoke with her today, I expressed my concern for her health and asked if she has gone to a doctor, since she has had 3 days sick in the past month. She doesn't have insurance right now since she just aged out of her parents plan and is trying to get Covered CA, but is having issues. She has also nannied/worked in daycare for 4 years now, so I think it's just bad luck this year. Anyways, I spoke with DH last night and between the two of us we will do our best to make it until the end of May with her.

Thanks for all the advice!

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