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

[seventhcircleofhellwithafag]

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?

You are obviously not a good fit for each other. You need to write to/sit down with staff and ask them if they are happy to continue, given that though the employment is permanent and the hours are fixed you will not always be present.

If they decide to quit, re advertise making it clear ‘we are paying you £800 per month. Some months we are around every day, some months we will only be there 4 days that month and anything in between. Regardless you will still be paid £800.’

I don’t see why the cleaner can’t do deep cleaning when you are not it (kitchen cupboards, rugs, ovens, washing machines, moving furniture...) unless you don’t trust them to be alone in the house, which is another issue.

I wish I could know what you do, but I suppose it would be outing.

Does the nanny live in? I’d be over the moon to be paid and get a free day, major bonus!! I think her message was really rude. Get rid. You need flexible staff, be up front with them when taking them on.

I do understand what you're saying OP and I don't think you're being U, to an extent, however could it be that by blocking their time you may also be blocking them from accepting more lucrative work? Eg your trainer is booked for you for 2 hours but is asked by another client for 3 hours at the same time - they turn it down because of your booking but then you don't turn up and they've missed out? With your nanny I imagine it's as PP have said - how often does she ACTUALLY have your DC? Its a bit crap if she goes to a new employer and has very little experience gained while working for you. Do you allow them to take other work on if you cancel?

I work for myself and if you did this to me regularly I wouldn’t book you in any more.

So would I. I'd probably feel client was wasting my time.

I'd jack the gig in double quick if client tried "make me understand" how I should feel about the situation.

“ then you don't turn up and they've missed out?”

How? On what? The joy of toiling for their fees? They chose the OP over the 3 hour client and whehey, I would too if half the time I didn’t actually have to work for my fee!

Oh here’s an idea for the nanny... rock up to the children’s ward and volunteer your time if you’re so desperate for experience. There’s lots of parents there with sick children and their healthy siblings who have no where to go because the parents can’t afford the emergency nanny fees

I can see what they are saying to be honest. If you're are giving 3 days notice that you wont be around but you're still paying them then that is marginally better than 24hrs notice. Also if they do as you have suggested OP and get another job that they can do when you don't need them, then that employer has to be equally flexible and not at all demanding in them showing up and being available to them. I don't know many (if any) employers who would be happy to have a position that is that flexible and accommodating to be honest. You might be accommodating, but they may not find another employer to take them on under their current conditions.
By paying them and expecting them to be happy to sit around even though you might not show up, I'd be bored. I'd go to the cinema, read books but I'd still be bored.
I think you need to rethink what the terms and conditions of working for you are and make sure that everyone you hire is fully aware of these terms and conditions

Used to have a similar issue with a riding instructor. I booked her for x time every y day. Told her I wouldn't always be able to make it but would still pay. She was okay with it once. After that she double booked every session, then got upset with me. I gave up with her.

God it irritates the hell out of me when an OP doesn't give you any further information, just a couple of posts and then nothing

Can you 'share' staff with a friend/family member. Eg, sorry Ms Trainer, I'm out the country this week, but my friend So&So will meet you at that time at the gym, paid for by myself.

Same with cleaner/nanny - your house doesn't need cleaning, but can they go to another member of your family and clean for them, on you?

That way the staff has work, and somebody benefits.

Wow, OP, please hire me!

As an ex tutor, dog walker and nanny who was regularly cancelled last minute and without pay, you are extremely decent and considerate. Please hold classes with would-be employers on how to treat their staff.

Why couldn’t I have found employers like you?! I have regularly tolerated: last min cancellations without pay, total cancellation Ona regular basis over all school hols without retainer, docked pay if parents arrive home early, not reimbursed for petrol I’ve used in my own car during work, and lastly, even when I’ve remembered all birthdays and Christmases year in year out, no Xmas bonuses ever*, the selfish feckers!

Thanks on behalf of all the poorly treated ‘help’.

Sorry for all the typos- blooming iPad again!