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Original poster

Nanny ill 3 times in 5 months.

31 replies

Christmaspanic24 · 07/01/2019 10:58

We have employed our nanny for 5 months for 3 days a week. In that time she has been ill 3 times. This has been manageable because I'm not currently working, but I go back to work next week. My job isn't flexible and a lot of people count on me to be there, it's quite a disruption /difficulty if I have to be off work. We don't have any family nearby that can provide emergency childcare. I'm wondering what others do in this situation, how do you cover the nanny if she goes off sick? Thanks

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Original poster
Christmaspanic24 · 07/01/2019 19:34

I think that's good advice. We have never had a return to work interview - it's quite a learning curve actually employing someone and more stress than I realised. We have paid her full pay for absences before but her contract states statutory with full pay on our discretion. She has a lovely manner with the children, but is relatively young and me and DH fear her reliability. There are other issues, but I was willing to ignore these if reliability wasn't an issue.

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BerylStreep · 07/01/2019 12:12

I think you need to discuss your concerns with her. Say exactly what you have written here - that 3 absences in 5 months seems really high, and that you need to be certain that you can rely on her, because others are relying on you in the workplace. If it is a continuing issue then you may have to find someone more reliable.

I agree with doing return to work discussions with her each time she is off.

Do you pay full pay for the absences, or SSP?

williteverend99 · 07/01/2019 11:56

A good nanny with eg a bad cold will phone and ask whether you want them to come in in that state. You can then choose. After all a mother with a bad cold would look after a child.
If the illness is something like norovirus then you probably want to keep them away from your DC.
There are lots of nanny agencies which provide emergency nannies - in the cities and at a cost. And of course a new face can be difficult for a child.
We had a nanny and a separate cleaner. Cleaner babysat for a lot of our friends and was happy to juggle other jobs and come in and baby sit for us in an emergency.
It is also worth while cultivating relationships with other families in a similar situation so you can drop your DC off with them in a crisis, and they theirs with you.
I would wonder about any employee who had had three lots of sick leave in five months. Is it self certified? Does it happen before/after weekends? Do you have a return to work discussion after each episode?

Original poster
Christmaspanic24 · 07/01/2019 11:43

beryl we haven't raised concerns, it's our first time employing a nanny and to be honest not sure what the norms are. This last time our kids have been ill with similar so I think it's genuine. The first and 2nd times are really hard to judge. Indont know how you would know? It does make me worry as we did have another incident that had shaken our trust a little in reliability. I just feel nervous now I'm going back to work but don't know what the alternative would be.

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 07/01/2019 11:22

I know it's not really answering the question, but 3 absences in 5 months is really high. Have you raised your concerns with her about the level of illness? Do you think she was genuinely ill on each occasion?

Confusedbeetle · 07/01/2019 11:14

There are agencies that have "emergency " nannies