AIBU to not want the nanny having her phone with her?

[ClipsAre]

I don't mean not physically on her, but her not using it when she is meant to be looking after my child. I often notice her on her phone and DC nudging her and her saying one minute, etc. I work from home, so I tend to see what's going on and if I'm going past I do occasionally mention it but she claims that my DC is happy doing x, y and z so she thought she'd quickly reply to an email/text, etc.

AIBU to think this isn't okay?

Pattakiller: Maybe not. But many people on this thread seem to think it's more a matter of principle than it is situational, if you see what I mean. I can't agree with that. Adults should be able to use their phones if needed.

This thread is worrying, especially all the people who think the nanny absolutely MUST be able to play on her phone, and if she isn't given specific breaks to do so then she should be able to do it on work time. When on earth did people start seeing phones as a basic right? Jesus.

RichardBucket: I don't see mobile phones as a basic right. But if I needed to take a personal call on the landline at work I would expect to be able to do that. I expect to be able to have a drink and eat something in a job where there is no good business reason why not. I expect to be able to go to the bathroom. In short, I expect reasonable flexibility from my employer. I give reasonable flexibility in return.

The op isnt banning personal calls or not giving her nanny breaks she would just like her nanny to get her face out of her mobile which is fair enough I think especially if her child is nudging nanny for attention the op is not being unreasonable.

MrsJayy: Oh yes, that's fine. But you can do that without banning the phone like your nanny is a teenager working in the local Maccies rather than a qualified professional. Just ask her to minimise it.

Trifleorbust Eating and toilet breaks absolutely, those are necessary. Phone? No.

Yes I think that is fair to ask her to cut back i just think the op didnt know how to approach it.

RichardBucket: I don't think a good professional relationship should be defined by only allowing your employee to do something if it is strictly necessary. Try it, by all means, but be prepared for your nanny to go somewhere else to work for someone with a more reasonable and flexible attitude.

Trifleorbust I don't think it's reasonable to expect to be able to play on your phone during working times. And I find it sad that so many people do.

RichardBucket: No worries. I won't be applying for any jobs with you

However, if the nanny worked in a nursery or primary school, she absolutely wouldn't be able to make personal calls, check facebook or snapchat whenever she wanted to. She would be expected to focus on the young children in her care.

Pattakiller: She doesn't, though. She is in a much safer setting with one young charge. So there is no reason to apply the same logic to her working conditions. It seems arbitrary.

I can't see any reason not to apply the same conditions - focus on the child rather than your phone. Her job is not simply to keep the child safe/alive for the duration of her shift. A nursery teacher could quite easily keep her class safe while playing candy crush.

Pattakiller: Because it's not the same situation. She didn't choose to work in a nursery or primary school; she might not be unreasonable to not expect to have to comply with the same policies as are usually in place there. If her employer insists on that as a condition of employment (and she is entitled to) then the nanny would not be unreasonable to say "Sorry, didn't sign up to that" and get a new job.

And I have no problem with her being asked to keep her phone use to a minimum. However, banning her from having her phone or using it at all is OTT.

I agree with TrifleorBust.

Pattacake - how many nursery teachers arrive at 620am and have to start teaching/educating from 6.21am and carry on doing so without a break/support from other staff etc until 19.29?

Pattakiller!

'This thread is worrying, especially all the people who think the nanny absolutely MUST be able to play on her phone, and if she isn't given specific breaks to do so then she should be able to do it on work time. When on earth did people start seeing phones as a basic right? Jesus.'

This! Getting paid to play on your fucking phone at work. FFS.

'She is in a much safer setting with one young charge.'

Whilst her face is down staring at the fucking phone.

expatinscotland: I don't think anyone should 'get paid to play on their phone' - I think reasonable (infrequent) use of a mobile is fine. Candy Crush not so much.

expatinscotland: Nice mouth.

The OP notices, however, that the nanny is 'often' on the phone.

expatinscotland: I know, and I don't think she would be unreasonable to ask her to cut down her use of her phone. However, responding to the odd text or email isn't the same as playing on her phone all day. There is a middle ground to be found here.

'expatinscotland: Nice mouth.'

Welcome to MN.

Personally, I'd look for a way to get rid of this nanny, because she's unprofessional and has a shite work ethic.

And I'd put my child in a nursery with a mobile phone policy so I wasn't paying someone to play on her fucking phone during work.

There, Trifle, put that in your pipe and smoke it. Maybe there's an app you can put on your phone for that.

expatinscotland: Swearing doesn't bother me that much. I do wonder why you are this confrontational though. No-one has attacked you.

And of course it is your right to put your child somewhere with a phone policy or indeed to try to hire someone who doesn't mind your phone policy in your home. I'm just not sure how successful you would be with the latter.

'expatinscotland: Swearing doesn't bother me that much.'

Well, that's good, then. I've been here a very long time. I post how I post. Never said I felt 'attacked'. Why on Earth think this setting applies to me personally? I've expressed an opinion what I'd do, but then my kids are quite a bit older, at school and can do after-school clubs, where caregivers aren't allowed to have their phones out whilst at work. It's quite typical of many work settings that are customer-facing. Quite agree with Richard, it's stunning how many find this acceptable at work.