hmmmm parents home late again and my son 10th birthday hmmm

but by the same token with a bit of communication on their part it could have been completely not a problem

Totally agree there.
Perhaps it's a question to ask at interview: which of the neighbours will babysit if when you are late home.
Or choose a family who don't have all their work commitments in one basket!

'xposts, no that was to the other lady who has given up her high flying career to put her children first'

Oh I thought it was to me... I don't have kids.

Well said Elizabethdarcy! Heswell maybe its impossible to call but we aren't in the dark ages how about a quick text to let your employee know you will be late.
Happychappy, I was a nanny for a similair family, they would phone when they were meant to be home, saying only just leaving, or train delayed etc..which I wouldn't mind here or there but everyday!! so not just a little late finishing(cancelling plans) usually an hour. on one occassion Mum had taken girl to a party(i had the boys) she called when due home to say girl having lovely time would like to stay on!!! more like Mum hadn't seen her friends in ages and would like to stay to catch up have a vino!!
I was a good timekeeper, but somedays there would be traffic probs and I would be late..oh how she liked to tell me that it wasn't acceptable!!!!!
Honestly whatever happened to treat people as you would want to be treated yourself??
Good luck job hunting, not all employers are selfish!!

Understanding? I put up with this for 2 years, for the child's sake. I have bent over backwards for them, so I take affront to your sarcy tone.

But when it now means we miss my husband's physio sessions in the evenings (he has a bone disease) because they are late EVERY DAY, so we miss the sessions... and I have a husband in agony... ? Besides the monetary cost (we are not remunerated for the lost sessions). My husband comes first, before my job. NOTHING to be sneered at.

Your attitude really stinks Heswall. I pity your kids/employees/husband if your job always comes first.

xposts, no that was to the other lady who has given up her high flying career to put her children first unlike all of us working mums who keep her in a job

It's communication isn't it Happy and that's understandable.

Can I put the other side of the argument without everyone jumping down my throat.

It's a long time since I had to use childcare but when I did:
-It was a lot of money. You don't earn the sort of money that pays for a nanny by doing a 9-to-5 job. You had to have responsibility or commute or, basically, have (for want of a better word) an 'inconvenient' job that sometimes involves having to stop on to sort a problem or getting caught in traffic. The sort of job that makes it more likely that you will be late home.
-The chances are that, at the stage where you have young children, you are still trying to climb up the career ladder, still having to impress people and make your mark. It is one of those ironies of life that I now have the authority to say "clear my diary, I'm having the afternoon off for a nativity play", now that I no longer need to. Back in the day, I wouldn't have dared to be so bold because it could have impacted on promotion.

What I'm trying to say is that employers aren't always in control of their day. They don't want to be home late any more than nannies do!

Lucky old you, perhaps the poor kids parents were trying to keep a roof over his head and hopefully they've now found a more understanding childcare provider.

It has everything to do about respect. Sadly, many put work before their family. Priorities are all wrong. A BIG reason I gave up a VERY good job in the publishing industry years ago and became a CM... so I didn't have to put up with the 'Your job is all important, you are not allowed a life' mentality. At least now, being self employed, I can rid myself of clients who put their job ahead of their child's welfare. Poor kid. Were it once in a while, no problem - life happens... but ALL THE TIME... no way.

You are taking this way way too personally, it's nothing to do with respect and everything to do with the way the world of work works these days. Your employers should communicate with you, of course.
However i make it very clear when i interview that there will be days like today when my nanny can come in late or go for a coffee and that will be fine. There will be other days when I will be stuck in theatre and if that happens to be a birthday I have to stay until the end and so she does too. And I cannot always call home either.

Grrr, seems like this family, and heswall, should have a day nanny, a night nanny and a weekend nanny, then they can be as frivolous as they like with other peoples time....i wonder how the little children feel when the parents regularly put other things ahead of getting home to spend time with them...things happen of course, but to do it regularly shows poor command of time and priorities.

OP, I think you misread TheHamish's comments - she was actually on your side.

Heswall I count my lucky stars I don't work for you. Your attitude to "the staff" is appalling.

She isn't a slave, she is just a nanny wanting to set some COMPLETELY reasonable boundaries about going well over contracted hours and refusing holiday time that is owed .

If you're the kind of person who would say "like it or lump it" to that, then I shudder to think how many nannies you're going to plough through to the detriment of your DC and consistency in their lives.

I agree with ThaHamish.

It doesn't matter what you are being paid... top dollar or minimum wage.. if your employer/clients are not respecting you with timekeeping etc., it's RUDE. Heswall's attitude is why I gave notice to clients this week. I care for their child 10 hours a day (contracted), why on earth should I assume I must just suck it up and add another 20 mins to 1.5 onto that every day..? No way.

It's about respect.

Op, find another job, there are plenty of lovely people out there who need nannies who actually do think of others before themselves and treat people right.

??? HappyChappy, my comments were directed towards Heswall, I was agreeing with you.

It's rubbish, sorry OP. I think people forget one has a life outside of their own often.

I am a CM and gave notice to a family in Jan - love the little boy but his parents have no sense of time keeping... drop him off early and arrive late EVERY day. Traffic always the excuse... how come all my other parents are on time? I find it rude and evasive - I have missed 3 evening events and have been late to others due to them. They don't care, never mind how gushing their 'sorry' is every single day. So that's that. A shame as I really love the little child but his parents are too disrespectful to allow for a good working relationship.

You pay a premium for a nanny? So basically you pay more for your nanny than any other nanny employers just so you can come home late and when she complains about working unauthorised overtime you can say "tough shit"? You obviously have more money than manners.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well Happy. I would also say to a nanny wanting to re establish rules that that is the job like it or lump it. Whilst i do not expect to own people I do need a wife for want of a better description (i'm female and have a husband but a wife is what I need) and that is why we pay a premimum for a nanny. If it suits you better to have a lunch break and be out the door at 5 on the dot try working for a nursery but you know yourself I am sure that you'll get the bare minimum and minimum wage too.