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Original poster

Nanny asks for day off, is refused, and calls in sick anyway

153 replies

oranges · 19/09/2011 07:51

Our nanny asked for today off to greet her boyfriend when he gets back from holiday. I did try to accomodate her request but just couldn't. But her sister has now texted me to say she's not coming in. I have no choice but to believe her but it looks fishy. Can or should I say something? She calls in sick quite often and I've never said anything before than get well soon. And we give loads annual leave- 8 weeks a year, just on the understanding that it's taken at a time that suits us. I have also always said yes before for requests for time off, even if IRS inconvenient but today is really, really tough. Am wondering if we should look at nurseries instead.

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rainbowinthesky · 19/09/2011 08:08

You need to have something in writing to say that she must call you herself if ill. Texting by anyone to be ill is unacceptable but getting someone else to text on behalf even worse.

EightiesChick · 19/09/2011 08:06

I haven't used a nanny myself so can't comment from that perspective but that does sound like a low-level reason to ask for a day off (and does it take a whole day to pick him up from the airport which is presumably the main issue?) The sister calling also looks suspicious. Doesn't sound like it is working well for you atm. How many dc do you have? How good is she otherwise?

ChristinedePizan · 19/09/2011 07:58

Her sister has texted you? Is she so ill that she can't call you?

I would be suspicious but I think it's really crap to take a lot of time off sick anyway. Does she have some kind of underlying condition? The whole point of nannies is that they are more reliable than nurseries/CMs because they will still look after your child if your child is ill. If your nanny is off sick a lot, then you're not really getting that benefit are you?