I'm a babysitter & parents are regularly back late with no extra pay.

[adoggymama]

Basically that, I've been babysitting for a family now with a toddler for over 5 months, they are regularly late back from the time agreed with no texts to say when they've left. AIBU to want them to pay me overtime? The extra 20mins each night add up over the weeks!! I need to get to the Sainsbury's by 11 before it shuts tonight (had no time to go during the day due to work) and they were supposed to be back by 9.45

They also never leave me with food (or milk!) in the fridge for the child. He's 2 and a half and they only feed him pouch foods for 6+ month olds at mealtimes. (I know this because I've looked after him during different periods of the day over time).

Ask them to pay you for the overtime and stop working for them if they refuse. Otherwise they'll keep taking advantage of you.

Can you not text them and say you need to be leaving to go to the shops so they need to come home as agreed. If they don't I would ask about overtime. If they are not treating you fairly then don't work for them again, they sound really crap to work for tbh.

My boyfriend before has previously mentioned to them (we are friends in our normal life) that they have awful time keeping, as a kind of hint, but they don't seem to care? They're lovely people and their son is adorable but my time is important too. I don't want to stop working for them as it's easy work and I value them as friends.

Aren't you paid by the hour? So if you're getting £6 per hour then add an extra £1,50 per 15 mins.

Next time they book either tell them your hourly rate has increased (to balance their lateness) or tell them they now have to pay extra when they're late (More than the pro rata hourly rate too).

Is there really nothing in the house, tins of beans etc to feed the toddler?

@SqueakyBinders that's a good idea- I'll probably outline that with all my future clients too. I have kept track of all the late nights so I could show them the proof?

They are not lovely people they are taking advantage of you how is that lovely?

@Di11y I'm genuinely serious. There is nothing child friendly in their cupboard (apart from pasta- but no sauce and it's brown rice pasta) and sometimes packets of meat in the fridge. I already told them that I don't cook meat as I'm a vegetarian and they're fine with that) They get takeaways a lot. (3 empty pizza boxes in the kitchen bin)

@MrsJayy I know, you're right, I just don't feel confident to approach them?

Gotta run to Sainsbury's now- a 20min walk away I can hear the car outside.

Charge them £x per hour and £x for each 15 minutes or part of 15 minutes they are late. Tell them you now charge Double rate if they are more than an hour late. Explain you find it confusing not knowing what to feed toddler and ask for hem to ensure something is there in case. Before they go out ask them to show you where it is and what it is.

Explain this is the same for all your clients now

They feed a 2.5 year old pouches for every meal? Doesn't he get normal food like an apple?

Their car or a taxi? Demand a lift or extra money for taxi plus what you're owed. Nurseries charge a fortune for late pick ups!

Get tthe driver to drop you over - least they can do

I'd make sure that you are paid tonight (with or without the overtime). Then either write them a letter or an email saying that while you're enjoying being their babysitter for the past 5 months, you would like to clarify things from now on.
Your rates are X per hour (or part thereof before 10pm)
After 10pm, your rates are Y per hour (or part thereof) Y is usually more expensive.
These rates will be effective from the 1st August and you are looking forward to being their babysitter for some considerable time.,

Best of luck!

Pouches? Christ my 1 year old would have a fit, that poor kid!

I would tell them your hourly rate has gone up to accomodate the lateness/over time

If there's no food in the house for the child call Social Services. They aren't lovely people, they are CFers.

Poor two year old, is that neglect?!

Stop working for them, and suggest their sone needs better food, and did they realise the pouches are for tiny babies. Tell them larger Sainsburys do toddler ready meals, if theya re too lazy to cook the poor child proper meals, and that they should buy extra vegetables, salad, bread and fruit too, or he’ll get scurvy. :-)
Seriously you should do this...poor child.

I am a babysitter and am booked most evenings of the week and booked up every weekend. I charge £8 an hour, if they were to return say 11.15 I would charge for half an hour (£4) if they returned 11.35 it would be and hours pay. It’s disrespectful to be late and not pay you the extra, you must speak up.

Apaologies, its late and im tired, but really, they should learn to feed a child real fresh food.

With apologies for the spelling mistakes too

And do what Redland suggests, or quit.

I’d find a new job, even if they were paying you properly, which they aren’t, I couldn’t in good conscience work for people that I knew were neglecting their child. And not feeding their child properly is neglect. You should also contact social services, the poor kid.

I feel your pain. Currently sitting for friends who went out at 8pm 'for a couple of hours'. It's now nearly 11pm and I am never doing this again.