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Original poster

Aupair-surely starting work at 7am shouldn't mean you get up at 7am?????

35 replies

Totallyfloaty35 · 01/06/2009 07:21

Got new aupair,she is nice girl,gets on with kids ok and her work is good standard.Just one little problem,her work start time is 7am and yet for past 4 work mornings i have had to bang on her door to get her up.As i was knocking her door this morning at 7:07 her alarm had just started going off,so i found myself saying loudly through her door"you start at 7,you dont get up at 7!"
Now i dont mind girls coming down in their PJs,but im getting bit annoyed with this,if i got up to go to work at time i was due to start i'd get fired.
I have had this happen with a few aupairs so i must be doing something wrong,anyone else got this problem?

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catepilarr · 03/06/2009 15:01

not sure why some people tend to tell their aupair they need to be showered in the mornning?
if she is ment to work from 7am then i guess she needs re-telling that it means getting up before 7 to be up and awake at 7. cant see anything you are doing wrong. just bad luck for aupair who cant get up on time. hope shes's improved.

Original poster
Totallyfloaty35 · 01/06/2009 18:48

Dont mind if she not showered or dressed,would just like her to be up and ready to start at 7,not alarm going off at 7;05 and then wander into the bathroom for another 10mins.
But she is pretty great at all the other stuff....so far

OP posts:
DadInsteadofMum · 01/06/2009 18:32

Here AP starts at 0645 and her alarm goes off at 0640. No expectation of being dressed and showered she has a morning routine that means that she can fit it before the school run.

If the family is wandering around in PJs I think it would be unfair not to let AP do the same, being an AP is about fitting in with the family; but, if you start at 7 you are up and ready to start at 7.

AtheneNoctua · 01/06/2009 16:39

One of my house rules is that you show up dressed and presentable and ready for work. I don't mind the bit about being in her pjs as much as mind trying to give important instruction as I'm flying out the door to someone who is still half asleep. So, yes, 6:30 start means you need to be dressed and AWAKE at 6:30. See, you are generous. Mine start at 6:30.

I am not talking about my current nanny, just in case you are reading.

Littlepurpleprincess · 01/06/2009 16:31

I would definalty do a written contract.

Original poster
Totallyfloaty35 · 01/06/2009 10:35

We have more of a verbal contract,i sit down with all girls and tell them whats expected,whats not allowed etc.Maybe i should do a written one to.Her start times are written on her schedules,in big letters saying she must be up and ready to start work for 7am,i also told her last night that she started work at 7 and to make sure she was up.Just had a chat so will see how she is tomorrow,think my hammering on door and shouting may have done trick though

OP posts:
ingles2 · 01/06/2009 10:00

sit her down tonight and tell her clearly that you expect her downstairs and ready to work at 7... not 5 past, or 10 past and she needs to treat her working hours like a job.
Do you have a contract? If so, I'd give her a warning if she does it again.

MuffinToptheMule · 01/06/2009 09:53

When I worked as an AP I started at 7.30 and I woke up at 7.20. I often went down in my PJs, but so did the mum. It was pointless for me getting up any earlier because the bathrooms were too busy.
Just make it very clear to her about what time she starts work.

Littlepurpleprincess · 01/06/2009 08:00

Your right, if she is employed to start at 7, she needs to be up and dressed by 7 o clock.

FourArms · 01/06/2009 08:00

Perhaps you need to make it clearer that starting at 7, means coming down fully dressed at 7am (I'd say showered too if that doesn't interfere with your bathroom arrangements?). Then you can assess whether they are down on time more effectively.

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