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Nanny gave batteries to baby to play

31 replies

Catsit · 05/02/2013 23:43

I am working from home. I heard my son (13 months) crying for quite a while. I went into the bedroom. He was semi attached sitting in his pram facing the wall. His nanny sitting on the bed reading facebook on her phone while having one hand on the pram to try to rock him to sleep. I didn't comment on her activity and said - if he doesn't want to sleep anymore (he used to sleep up to three hours in the morning - now only one to two), perhaps you play with him. She said ok - took him - went with him into the kitchen dinner, sat him on the floor and put a box of batteries in front of him. Should I fire her?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
catladycourtney1 · 06/02/2013 00:06

If she'll behave like that when she knows you're watching her then I dread to think what she's like when you're not.

Also as a nanny, she's being paid to provide a better standard of care and attention for your child than you can during the time that you are working - so for her to be so distracted and lazy about it shows she's not doing her job. She has her spare time to piss about on her phone.

OutragedFromLeeds · 06/02/2013 00:03

She doesn't sound great tbh. I'm not sure if you can fire her though, what does your contract say about gross misconduct? I suppose if she was watching him very closely and sitting with him, then the batteries wouldn't have been a danger to him (although obviously not a good toy for a 13 month old!). I think a written warning at least.

Vijac · 06/02/2013 00:00

Plus, I think the way she was behaving with trying to get your son to sleep sounds horrid. I do read my phone during the day sometimes but not whilst my son (15months) is crying. Plus I'm not bring paid for it.

mmmmsleep · 05/02/2013 23:58

Yes that's terrifying. She cannot be trusted.

Catsit · 05/02/2013 23:53

Thank you - you made two valid points.

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Vijac · 05/02/2013 23:45

Yes. Batteries may or may not be dangerous but as a nanny she should know better and make more effort. Also, if that is the way she behaves when you are in the house....

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