Nanny and time off problem.

Golly, I think this nanny sounds dreadful, personally. I've never been in a position to employ one, so I know nothing about it, but I'd always vaguely imagined that people had a nanny to make their working lives easier/possible IYSWIM.

You need a nanny so that you have someone to care for your DCs in the school holidays. Yet this one has had 2 weeks at Christmas last year (causing you problems), Easter and now wants 3 weeks of summer holidays off...

It sounds as though you are hopelessly at odds with what she wants as an employee and what you require as an employer/family.

Frankly I think you need to refuse her request - and either let her go or give her notice, explaining that it is not working out for you. Then I would be looking for another nanny and putting a contract in place to say that their annual leave may not be taken in school holidays. After all, if that is what you need someone to cover then there is no point employing someone who can't/won't do the 14 weeks of the year that you do actually need them to be there!

My point of view from an outsider on this thread.

You've stated in her contract that only "one week can be taken at time" but yet you've let her take 2 weeks off before to visit family and are doing so again, so basically you've been going against the contract YOU made for her, so of course she's gunna try and take more since you've been ignoring your own rules based on the contract.

Sometimes Verbal communication isn't strong enough to get your rules and point across. You still have to be professional and if she isn't listening to you or is upset at the word "no" then maybe you should write her a letter explaining the agreement and contract once more and that things need to change, because obviously from what's been said things can't go on as they are.

I've found myself somewhat changing my view with this tread. If the nannies contract does not stipulate that holidays can't be taken in school holidays, then she's perfectly reasonable to ask for holiday whenever she likes. I think it's a little mean for a contract to say you can only take one weeks leave at a time- we all like our two weeks in the sun! Lol. However, she's asked for 3 weeks... Don't think this is unreasonable either really. It might not be ideal, but she's given you plenty of notice, and tried to help with alternative childcare. Obviously 3rd week would be unpaid and subject to your approval. I originally thought nanny was asking for time off despite contract saying no hols in school hols.
Choice is simple really:
If you value your nanny, think she's doing a good job, and want to keep her, then I'd suggest you try your best to accommodate her request. Obviously if its impossible, then theres nothing you can do, say no.
Or
You don't feel the nanny is not very good/ suitable/ flexible enough... Etc, and you say no to her request, possibly upset her and have her leave.
Basically do you feel strongly enough about this issue to possibly lose your nanny and have to find a replacement, if yes, then say no to holiday, and deal with the possible consequences. Or if this issue really isn't that big of a deal, and alternative arrangements could be made, then say yes to holiday and maintain harmony.

It's a shame knackered, but some people will take advantage or maybe just struggle to understand hints/subtle communication.

I think it helps if you are fair in the contract and then stick absolutely to it for the first year. Then if they've proved themselves reliable etc maybe be a little flexible.

I know my employers are much more flexible with me now, 5 years in, than they would have been when I first started. It's because we've built up a relationship, I've been flexible for them and they will be for me. I've done the same, if they were late coming in early on, I would have pulled them up on it. Now I know them, I know they don't take the piss, if they're late I don't complain/charge overtime because I know they'll be a good reason and I remember the times they've not compained when I've been late or forgotten to do something etc.

Your request for 3 weeks holiday (dates) is refused. Your previous request of 2 werks holiday (dates) remains granted. Please confirm that you still wish to take those two weeks off, or please submit alternative dates for consideration.

It can help to track things if all holiday requests plus approve/deny is in writing (or email these days).

I'd find another nanny who is more flexible tbh.

So you're not ' happy for her to take her 3 weeks of chosen leave whenever she wants, school holidays or not'. If you're being as unclear with her as you are here, it's no wonder she feels able to ask for extra holidays etc.

To quote Grange Hill, just say NO.

If she leaves, she leaves. When you get a new nanny spell it out to them at interview and in the contract exactly what you need in the holidays. Don't employ someone who has children and family in another country and therefore needs time off in August.

Just say no
She is taking the mick

'She chose one week at Easter and 2 weeks in August. All approved so she has had 'her ' 3 weeks leave. She now wants 3 weeks in August. She does not have enough leave left to take 3 weeks in August. She wants it as unpaid.'

I understand that. She wants one week extra holiday, she doesn't have enough left, so she's asking to take it as unpaid leave. That's a fair request. It's also fair for you to say, no we can't accommodate that.

Saying you have trouble covering it, but then saying you don't mind if she takes holiday in the holidays is inconsistent and confusing, so you can see why she might thinks it's ok.

Just say, 'no, we can't accommodate that'. Point out that you're being generous to offer the two weeks, given what her contract says. If she leaves, find someone else.

Honestly she sounds a lot of hassle, let her resign.

'I am happy for her to take her 3 weeks of chosen leave whenever she wants, school holidays or not'

I don't think you help yourself with this^ attitude. Under normal circumstances the nanny is out of order, but if you've told her the above then she really hasn't done much wrong.

If she knows you need her for the holidays and don't want her taking leave, then yes, she's out of order. If you tell her 'I'm happy for you to take your leave whenever you want, school holidays or not' then you can't blame her for taking holiday in the school holidays!!

If she knows you can't take 3 weeks leave off and it's very difficult for you, then yes, she's taking the piss. If you tell her 'I'm happy for you to take your 3 weeks whenever you want', then you can't blame her for taking 3 weeks in a row.

So, essentially the problem is she wants an extra week of holiday, which she would like to take as unpaid leave. That's hardly massively unreasonable. Just say no, sorry, we can't accommodate that.

This is something that should have been made clear from the very beginning - in the contract. If the contract says no Nanny holidays in school holidays, then she can't take holidays during that time. Easy as that.... if it's not in the contract then just sit down with her and explain, also, it really is much less in October! If she doesn't understand this then replace her

I'm a nanny and think she's taking the piss!!
I am off at the end of August for 2 weeks (their choice) and although I have a DS, he is only 18months old, so no requirement to go away in the school hols and pay those prices. I do however, understand that it is difficult for my employers to go away in term time so I am going last week August/first week Sept but only taking 1 day extra to when they are off so that it is not a full week they need to cover, in effect 3 weeks in total.
I would refuse it, explain why and say that the 2 weeks is a struggle and there will be no way you can cover the 3rd week. Sounds like she very much calls the shots here.

Sorry but you need to get rid of her, her attitude sounds awful - not staying for 15 minutes in an emergency wtf?
Honestly I know short tem it will feel like extra work for you, but you will be happy to see the back of her!

I too would refuse the extra week and if she leaves I would have it written into the next nanny's contract that she must choose her leave during term time. Your nanny is definitely taking the piss, so don't feel bad about saying no.

Then tell her no.

Do you think your child/children would be OK with a stranger landing on them for a week? I don't think it sounds reasonable, who gets to take 3 weeks off in august?!

X post sorry didn't see your reply. Even more convinced now you need a new nanny - you are paying the wages yet it seems like you have to organise your life around her convenience and not vice versa

Total and utter piss take. If she's employed year-round mainly to cover the school holidays (at considerable expense to you), doesn't have to do much for the rest of the year (assuming the kids are all in school?) then wants half the school holidays off???

It should be written into your contract that annual leave cannot be taken during school holiday time. But tbh even without that she should be aware you rely on her for those times and have a bit more gumption! Does not sound like she has a great attitude to her job at all .

I would let her go if at all possible, and make sure holiday time working is written into any new nannies contract.