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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do you pay a babysitter if you cancel them with less than 24 hours notice?

61 replies

OneDayIWillDivorceHim · 01/10/2022 09:48

DH not feeling well and now doesn't want to go out on long planned night out with me and our friends.

He stayed up till 3am last night gaming but sure

We have a part time nanny and she was meant to be babysitting for us this weekend and now isn't needed. She's meant to arrive at 5pm today.

Do I offer still to pay her? She may have turned down other babysitting work to cover us. I'm not sure.

OP posts:
rcat74 · 01/10/2022 09:50

We do as most babysitters need the money to boost income. You could say you will pay if they can’t find a replacement job?

foreverhome2023 · 01/10/2022 09:50

Yes I would, she might have turned down other work to babysit for you.

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 01/10/2022 09:51

Yes

Sirius3030 · 01/10/2022 09:52

Yes.

Bootsandcat · 01/10/2022 09:54

Absolutely. Get your husband to pay.

Raidtheice · 01/10/2022 09:54

I do hope that you go out in your own and leave DH to look after the kids.

But yes also pay the babysitter. They will have made plans around working.

Inmyonesie · 01/10/2022 09:54

Yes I'd always offer for any self employed person.

Overthebow · 01/10/2022 09:55

Yes definitely

dontputitthere · 01/10/2022 09:56

Yes. She has probably turned down other work/plans for this

But get 'sick' DH to do it. Then enjoy your fun night out without the man child.

Angelinflipflops · 01/10/2022 09:56

Make him pay, selfish git

Gysophilla · 01/10/2022 09:57

Yes, we have in the past if we have cancelled at short notice. They have turned down other work and/or missed out on the opportunity to arrange to socialise with friends or family.

PanPacificBallroomChampion · 01/10/2022 09:59

Yes
But it’s only 10:00 and he knows that he won’t want to go out tonight and he’s just “feeling unwell” what’s wrong with him? Is it connected to his gaming until 3am or not? I’d be annoyed if the night out had been planned for a while.

Shahira78 · 01/10/2022 10:03

He stayed up till 3am last night gaming

and now doesn't want to pay the sitter for a situation he created? Sorry, he sounds awful.

Pay the sitter.

FarmhouseLiving22 · 01/10/2022 10:07

When I was a nanny, if I didn't do the job I didn't get paid. You are giving what, 12 hours notice? I'd say most babysitters and nannies would see that as reasonable (I certainly would have when I was nannying)

Soscrewed · 01/10/2022 10:08

Leave the children with the babysitter, leave DH at home and have a nice night with your friends. You need to pay the babysitter either way.

QueSyrahSyrah · 01/10/2022 10:08

Shahira78 · 01/10/2022 10:03

He stayed up till 3am last night gaming

and now doesn't want to pay the sitter for a situation he created? Sorry, he sounds awful.

Pay the sitter.

Where does the OP say her DH doesn't want to pay the sitter? OP is just asking what the etiquette is as this hasn't happened before.

FWIW back when I used to babysit it wouldn't have crossed my mind for someone who had to cancel to still pay me, but yes it would be a nice thing to do especially if she has turned down other work.

dontputitthere · 01/10/2022 10:10

FarmhouseLiving22 · 01/10/2022 10:07

When I was a nanny, if I didn't do the job I didn't get paid. You are giving what, 12 hours notice? I'd say most babysitters and nannies would see that as reasonable (I certainly would have when I was nannying)

Um no. 7 hours. Less than that now though...

Honestly you were screwed over. I would pay for anything cancelled in less than 24 hours. (And usually more depending on their t&cs)

SunlightThroughTrees · 01/10/2022 10:13

I think babysitters should be paid if the cancellation is within 24 hours.

ILoveYoga · 01/10/2022 10:14

Yes. You pay her and you let her know as soon as possible as you dint know what she’d been doing during the day, May travel a distance etc.

cravattwat · 01/10/2022 10:14

I would pay and assume that if they were hired through an agency they would still charge. It's the fair thing.

cravattwat · 01/10/2022 10:14

I hope you're still going out @OneDayIWillDivorceHim!

Comtesse · 01/10/2022 10:15

Pay her anyway and go out without your foolish husband.

Did he sabotage this night out deliberately do you think?

SpinningFloppa · 01/10/2022 10:16

This is why I could never afford a babysitter! You still have to pay if you cancel? 😕 no I wouldn’t have expected payment if I didn’t do the job 🤦🏻

NuffSaidSam · 01/10/2022 10:16

Yes, you should pay her because that's the reasonable thing to do.

cravattwat · 01/10/2022 10:18

SpinningFloppa · 01/10/2022 10:16

This is why I could never afford a babysitter! You still have to pay if you cancel? 😕 no I wouldn’t have expected payment if I didn’t do the job 🤦🏻

Surely it depends if it's a local kid earning some extra cash or a professional hired to do a job that's part of their main income?

I'm sure cleaning, care agencies etc are the same.

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