Nanny calling in sick

Such a tough situation. I have an underlying autoimmune condition that means I'm ill all the bloody time. My employer puts up with it, but that's because they are reasonably large, and they get me at a much lower salary than I would command elsewhere if I were healthy.

You only have one employee and you just can't take the hit from her health situation. As hard as it is on her, you need to get yourself out of this one. And I'd suggest the nanny would do better in a career with less exposure to germ-ridden children.

Op said she was inexperienced in that nanny thought it was fine to be off and OP would just take the day off. Not mighty pain in ass and knock on effect on work or livelihood.

It's rather mean not to mention health concerns where it's a job that only you can do and it all falls apart if you are sick, and then you admit you are not talking care of yourself.... Surely you try reassure boss you are doing all you can to eat, sleep rest to keep your body in the best health it can. Let's hope she takes it more seriously with her job on the line.

Inexperience? she's been really ill,Shingles knocks you sideways. She's had a run of bad luck health wise but would you really want someone who had Shingles around your child?

Apparently her GP only issues a sick note if ill for more than 7 days, othereise its a self cert

that is completely normal - certificates for less than 7 days are chargeable. it's to stop people going to the GP with every cough and cold because they need a certificate

I think you've handled it well and you'll either see a change in behaviour or not, and if not she'll have to go.

To be fair to the nanny. All 3 of those illness' are contagious and be really rather nasty for little ones. Espesially shingles there can be many complications.

From the sounds of things IMO sounds like she did not rest enough the first time so her immune system is low so she is just going from virus to virus.

Whilst not ideal for you far from it. But perhaps she should see it as a lesson learned to rest more whilst ill.

Can you not speak to friends who live locally too form agreement if one or the others childcare falls through you can nanny share for the day?

I'd expect a doctors cert for all three of those - no-one self diagnoses those three. I work for a large corporate company and we would be put on SSP after 5 days uncertified sick leave in any rolling 12 month period.

I would take legal advice and get rid of her if you have not seen any certification for these illnesses.

If you have and you believe that she has genuinely been ill then you could extend her probationary period and tell her that you will be unable to pay her for any future absences until the end of her first 12 months. Note it is not good practice to allow her to use holiday to cover sick leave and in any case it still leaves you in the lurch with your employer.

Are you a single parent. If not, then however hard your partner needs to step up before you are placed on a disciplinary.

OP we had the exact same situation with a previous nanny and it was a nightmare, so I really sympathise. I would definitely stop the full pay when the nanny is sick and have a very serious chat with her. It wasn't sustainable for us as it was so stressful trying to arrange last minute cover all the time....

I have been a nanny for 6 years and have never taken a day off sick. ever. Even after a bad riding accident. I have only had a day for a funeral. She is taking the total P or she has a serious underlying illness which she needs to discuss with you.

I was really ill yesterday & sick during the day (migraine related), however the baby had a chest infection and I felt needed me rather than a temp nanny (parents can't have time off) so I struggled on through and napped when she did, watched more TV: I made sure everyone was fed, safe, clean and happy.. I certainly wasn't myself but I managed. Others said I should've gone home but baby was happy having a very quiet day and so was I. (2 kids btw, one at school)

Some nannies aren't as committed to their job and yours sounds this way. I am offered full pay for five days then SSP. still never used it. I would remove the full pay for her.

I'd extend her probationary period and make it clear why.

You can for up to seven days (includes non working days) then you can ask for sick note but if they can't get to see GP or takes them days not much you can do.

In my case each was geninue so sick note not help much it was just one those people who got everything going. It was quite serial!

Can you self-cert for more than 3 days? We certainly can't (not a nanny but...). Maybe tell her that you require a doctor's note for more than 3 days.

It's really difficult isn't it, different if you worked from home few days and were free to chop change to cover sometimes drop of a hat but you can't. hope she is well soon and fingers crossed!

Like I said before I had carers with similar issues. It's not their fault and each time it's geninue bad luck and real illnesses. but I rely on them if they are sick very often, it reaches a point where they will have to go.

Some people just go from one disaster to the next. I feel sorry but there reaches point where they should rethink their job choices. Surely better they work in a job where taking time off can be covered without to much bother, or be caught up later. If you are in a job where someone else is relying on you 100% and you over course of months are only managing 70-80% it's a bad match something needs to change.

What can she do about any of those illnesses though?

Sounds like she is very run down and she'll feel bloody awful with any one of those things.

11 days out of 60 working days - greater than 20% absence. What are these illnesses?

In 12 years of having nannies i can recall one migraine (2 days), one bout of something or other (2 days i think, then came in but on very reduced activities) and a fall down the stairs (1 day, which nanny spent in a&e). Even during her own pregnancy there were no absences other than the standard midwife visits and suchlike which we could plan for in advance.

Really shocked that someone can effectively cause you to lose half your vacation entitlement over such a short period.

As someone who got very badly burned by this sort of behaviour, I would urge you to nip it in the bud immediately.

I unfortunately kept giving the benefit of the doubt.

Some people just have a very poor work ethic unfortunately.

I assumed 3 days initially as well, shocking how often it is!
I am a nanny and have had 2 sick days in the last 6 years both for highly contagious things! (D&v and a extremely bad eye infection)
Shes taking the piss massively

You should try to look for replacement.