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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do people get annoyed if I cancel but still pay them the full whack?

112 replies

seventhcircleofhellwithafag · 13/04/2018 16:03

My family and I live quite a spontaneous life. Due to mine and DH's work we're currently based in two countries.

We have a cleaner, a nanny and a personal trainer in each country part-funded by the companies we work for. The companies understand that as part of the spontaneous nature of our work, plans change at the last minute and are out of our control.

Out of respect for the occupations of the people whose services we use when we are in each country, we fix hours per week in advance which they are supposed to work at a (very good) rate. (For e.g. we pay our nannies £20 per hour net.)

Often we can tell them about 24 hours in advance that we won't be there. Regardless of whether we actually make the appointments on the days that we have booked them, we always pay them the full amount that we have booked them for.

Despite this, some of them complain a lot that they don't want to be "sitting around." I am trying to understand this. No-one is forcing them to sit around. If we have given them sufficient warning, then they can find something else to do that they enjoy (while still being paid!) or they can take other work if it's available. Either way is not a lose situation.

I understand that people genuinely enjoy their jobs and want to actually be doing them - of course they do. But if they are unhappy in their job, they have a choice to leave.

Is there something I am not seeing here?

OP posts:
FilledSoda · 13/04/2018 16:07

I can't see the problem if you give them notice.

TeasndToast · 13/04/2018 16:09

Nope. I do this to my childminding both nursery and childminder. Sometimes I am offered weekend work in return for time off in the week. I jump at the chance to spend those days with my younger children so keep them off. I still pay the childminding services. They have never complained and I’m sure enjoy having less work for the same money. YANBU

adaline · 13/04/2018 16:09

Because 24 hours isn't really enough time, and it must be very frustrating to be unable to make plans due to work, then to find out at the last minute that you're not needed.

Yes, they're being paid very good money but that doesn't mean that late cancellations aren't annoying!

PetulantPolecat · 13/04/2018 16:10

I think they worry you will drop their regular hours because most people wouldn’t duplicate services and be paying twice, like your setup.

DairyisClosed · 13/04/2018 16:11

If I was them I would be very find of you. I really don't see what their problem is.

worridmum · 13/04/2018 16:11

I dont see why thy would complain if you give them 24 hours notice its more the ones that cancel after they have set off (so they have to pay travel expense or waste time in physically going but with 24 hours that shouldn't be a problem).

Can you picture you have been booked for your job a fair distance away so you set out but when you are half way there or actually get there they cancel yes you get paid for not working but showing not respect for their time which would get most peoples backs up.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/04/2018 16:13

Wouldn’t bother me at all. It would be like a bonus day off with pay!

nellieellie · 13/04/2018 16:13

Can you give me a job please? Smile

rookiemere · 13/04/2018 16:15

Wow - people are complaining that they are getting paid for doing nothing. Next time I'd ask them if the arrangement upsets them and should you be looking for a new trainer/nanny etc. who is ok with the arrangement.

Leeds2 · 13/04/2018 16:16

I don't think it would bother me at all if I was the personal trainer.
Nor if I was the nanny, but maybe you could ask her to do something for the children in their absence eg children's laundry, batch cook some meals, sort clothes/toys etc.
With the cleaner, I would have her come as usual and do jobs that she might not have time to do every week.

Swissgemma · 13/04/2018 16:18

I've has this - similar set up - it turned out that one trainer wasn't charging me when I cancelled (he had a 24hr cancellation policy) and despite me being clear I wanted that particular session at that time held for me every week and would pay he had been accomodating so not charging. he then got a bit difficult saying he couldn't hold sessions I wasn't using but we sorted that out!

Original poster
seventhcircleofhellwithafag · 13/04/2018 16:19

Thank you for all your responses. I am not sure if I am phrasing it right to them. They don't have to worry about losing their jobs. We just want them available if we need them each week, hence booking the times in.

I have explained it like this, but got a response from a nanny just now saying "I didn't sign up to be sat on my own for eight hours a day." I can't seem to make her understand that she is not in a bad situation?

OP posts:
SweetMoon · 13/04/2018 16:23

I can't understand why they are complaining. They get a day off, which they are still being paid for! So they don't have to 'sit around' they can do whatever they like! I'd love it if my job would randomly give me paid days off here and there!

Singlebutmarried · 13/04/2018 16:23

Why would she sit on her own for 8 hours? Is it stipulated she needs to be at your residence?

Personally I’d be thinking blimey £160 for doing nowt. Awesome.

MirriVan · 13/04/2018 16:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/04/2018 16:24

That’s an unprofessional message form the nanny. It’s not a tone I would appreciated from someone who was caring for my children.

Why does she spend the day sitting alone? Does she have to be at your house? Can’t she just take the day off and do as she pleases?

rookiemere · 13/04/2018 16:25

You cannot change your working circumstances and they are being paid for their time.

I would respond to the nanny and say "I cannot change the nature of my work, this is why you are paid to be available. If this arrangement not working for you should I be looking for a new nanny?"

PinkCalluna · 13/04/2018 16:25

Change nanny. Some people are very rigid and aren’t good with change.

You need someone more flexible.

MsVestibule · 13/04/2018 16:25

I can actually see it from the nanny's perspective. Perhaps she really doesn't enjoy spending time by herself? You can't say she's not in a bad situation - she thinks she is, therefore she is, although this does not make it your fault.

BTW, I would LOVE this type of job, but it obviously doesn't suit everybody. Perhaps you need to look for a new nanny who is OK with this? Giving her plenty of notice, of course.

GaryBaldyBiscuit · 13/04/2018 16:26

Ha, I’d love this!
No they can’t plan ahead too much but this is bonus free time in effect, I’m assuming they get/take holiday time anyhow? Just tell them if they’re not happy with the situation you’ll agree to part ways, someone else will bite your hand off.

PoorYorick · 13/04/2018 16:27

Dang, if my boss regularly rang me to say 'Take tomorrow off, full pay', I'd NEVER leave the job!

MirriVan · 13/04/2018 16:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BackforGood · 13/04/2018 16:28

Does seem an odd response.
I could see it would be a bit annoying if they traveled to you and then you weren't there, or said 'oh, we don't need you today', but you aren't doing that even. You are actually saying 'there is no need to come to work tomorrow. You have a full day off but will still be paid. Wish my boss did that Grin

MirriVan · 13/04/2018 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cornflakegirl · 13/04/2018 16:29

Work isn't just about the money though, people also want to feel valued and that they are doing something worthwhile.

I would have a chat with the nanny, and explain that you do value her and the relationship she has with your children (assuming you do) but that your life is this way currently, and that if that doesn't work for her, you understand if she wants to look for a new job. See if she has any suggestions that work for both of you in terms of improving her work experience. The nannies that I know tend to be extroverted, so maybe a day off by herself isn't as attractive as it would be for me!