Hi All!
HELP! We have a part time babysitter (15-18 hours a week) who watches our kids (7mo,7y,15y) three days a week. She has been with us for about 3 months. The hours vary a little week by week as I have a private practice and only work when I have clients myself. We adore her and she seems great with each of the kids at very different developmental stages.
We are planning to be out of state in two weeks to visit grandma during summer vacation. We have given her several weeks notice that we will not be here. Do we still pay her? If so, how much as it varies week to week based on how much she is here.
We are her only 'job' now as she is retired and wanted something very part time.???
Thanks for any thoughts.
Thanks for all the great and thoughtful responses!! I talked with her and she said that she does not expect anything as she will not be working and has plans. I told her that we would still pay her half as this was our daycare's policy when we were at a center and feel it is only fair. She seemed grateful although still trying to refuse. I feel much better and she seems happy. I hope she is as happy as we are with her.
Hi L., I think it would be only fair to give her something while you are away... kind of to hold her job....if she needs the money she may look for another while you are gone. I would average out what a usual week would be... call it vacation pay :-) Grandma Mary
I would pay her half of whatever the average of the last three months is - with the understanding that she'll be available to resume her hours with your family wihen you return from vacation.
I personally feel the right thing to do is pay her for the average hours she works. But since she just wanted something part-time and it's not her only income you could ask her how she feels. You said it's her only job. But she's obviously not living on this.
No. She is not an employee but a babysitter. You don't give the teenager next door a fee when you don't call her.
I would not. Then she is going to expect it everytime you plan something.
Many daycares do 1/2 charge for vacation time. It "reserves" the spot. Maybe that's a good way to go? If you are happy with her work and can afford it, it would be a nice gesture.
If this is a regular job for her, then yes, I would pay her. It's also good to have an agreement with your sitter about vacation pay (your vacation vs her vacation), sick days, etc
.
Hi L.,
You could take the 'average' of the last 3 or 6 months and use that to calculate what you pay her while you are on vacation.
Have a good time.
The right thing to do.
I agree with those that said you should pay her a 1/2 salary while you are gone, since this is a regular "job" for her, and not just a one off, every once in a while babysitting job. And you will be gone for quite a while, so... it's really not fair for her to lose on that that much income for something that is out of her control. Plus since she seems to be very good, you really should treat her accordingly.
If, however, she chooses to go on vacation, I would not pay her. You should probably let her know that now to set the ground rules (as well as let her know that if you are gone for more than a week, you will pay her 1/2 the average of what she would received for that amount of time, or whatever it is that you decide).
We pay our daycare provider (she is a home not a center) even if we don't use the days we have outlined with them.
This is her income and she is relying on it and most likely can't go out and get a 2 week stint somewhere. If you adore her, the best thing to do would be to pay her the full amount or average (not 1/2 as others have suggested since she has no other children under her care).
Bring her a gift back if you see something she might like.
It sounds like you like her a lot and she is flexible - this is something that is hard to find and children are our most precious people in our lives that we put in the hands of others to care for. Good and trustworthy help is hard to find - keep her happy and treat her well.
Yes, I would pay her. Especially if you like her and want to retain her. We agreed to the terms of vacation payment with our nanny when we hired her. She only works part time for us (one 12hr day/wk). She does not get paid if she takes a day off, but gets pay for the 3 weeks that I am of with my kids. We like her and want to keep her happy and wanting to work for us.
If you consider her YOUR sitter, on a regular basis, where you dont have to call and arrange each time and she shows up certain days on schedule, then I say shes more than just a babysitter. Shes not the teenage girl around the block you call now and then to see if she is available. But she is depended on to be at your house on a set schedule. She cant just say no Im gonna babysit the Millers next week instead because they called first and leave you hanging. I say you have given her plenty of notice the vacation is coming and tell her you will pay her half of whatever the other pay averaged out to be. This is to guarantee she will still be YOURS when you come back. Id also bring her back a nice little gift from wherever you go. Send her a post card while gone too. Do you by chance need a house sitter, or someone to care for plants and animals while gone? Maybe she will want to do this if you trust her. She could then earn a bit of cash and have the house not empty for thieves.
