Nanny not bothering to turn up for an interview!

[Berengaria]

Not sure where to post this but here goes!
I had arranged an interview for a night feeds nanny for today at 11.30. I e-mailed the nanny our address last Tuesday and told her to phone me if she had any problems.

Midday arrives with no sign of the nanny or a phone call. I phoned her and she did not answer. I then checked my e-mails. She had sent me an e-mail at 10.30 this morning stating that she could not make it as it was too far away! I cannot believe that someone can act in such a slipshod way.

Surely if it was to far she could have called me last night or earlier to explain this? What hope is there when someone who is, by the very nature of their profession meant to be reliable and trustworthy acts in this manner.

To make matters worse she contacted me on here asking for an interview!

words fail me.

how unprofessional and makes my blood boil as give us professional nannys a bad name

and if she is on here, you should name and shame her

i agree for whatever reason she didnt turn up, a phone call would have been polite, but can understand sending an email so not to have to talk to you iyswim

but she could have sent one last night, rather than 60mins before interview time

where are you? - I do night nannying (in kent)

maybe one of us professional nannys on here can help you?

Yeah, words fail me as well.

Before applying for a job you always check to see where it is - don't you? I do.

Possibly you should count yourself lucky that you haven't met them in person - as if they had turned up and you had decided to employ them, then maybe they would have been unreliable in turning up for the job.

As a childminder interviewing parents it happens to me quite often it makes my blood boil, there have been times I have not gone out on family trips just so I can clean and tidy and interview only for them not to turn up, they usually don't even bother to let me know so I know how you feel, it really makes you mad people can be so disrespectful of your time.

That really is genuinely unprofessional!! I agree with others - I always check where a possible job is before organising an interview, if not before applying!

Where are you? If you are in or near London and need someone ASAP, I can help! Email me on nanny . beth @ hotmail . com

Thanks for all your replies! A phone call to say I cannot make it would have been nice, I do not bite! I was going to name and shame her but if she has a shred of decency she will have shamed herself. I live near Watford and need someone for the new year but have decided to use an agency. I cannot afford to be let down again and it will be nice to know everything is arranged for when they arrive. I'm thnking of applying for a job in Africa. How long is the daily commute?

I had exactly the same problem with a nanny in London - was waiting in for her to come for interview and then checked my email to see 'I just checked out your address and it's too far away' - it seems it's not everyone who checks location before applying for a job! This woman had been very keen too, had spent quite a lot of time emailing her details etc.

Grr, very annoying. At least you had a last-minute email though we have had nannies who haven't showed up, haven't emailed, texted, NOTHING!

Not worth your time to worry about it. Hope you find someone good soon.

Argh, can understand how disrespectful that is for you. I hate having my time wasted as well. Haven't done in nanny capacity, but I agree with similar poster who said maybe a good thing that you were let down now rather than later, iyswim?

Good on you for not naming & shaming though, sinks you down to her level although sympathise with how tempting it must be!!!

did you find this person on Gumtree?

One of the families that I was working (night)for asked me to extend my contract but as I had another contract lined up, I couldn't stay for quite as long as she had hoped.

She found someone from Gumtree who turned up for the interview but then failed to turn up for work! No text, no call, no email. The mum tried to call her but the call was never answered (or returned)

This meant that a new mum was left high and dry with no help when she really needed it - if I hadn't have been working obviously I would have helped her out.

Finally she found someone through an agency who turned up at 10pm with a kebab and told the family she needed to eat it before she could go to the baby! She aslo told the family in the morning she needed to shower there and use the mums hairdryer (which meant mum was late getting herslef ready!). She wasn't asked back.

There are so many dreadful (maternity) nannies out there and it really makes my blood boil.

I am available in the new year for nights if that's any help. I am very professional!

how very annoying

will just add that getting a nanny from an agency doesnt mean they will turn up for an interview...

using MYSELF as an example here... i was interviewing for lots of jobs, and found my ideal family and accepted job before the interview.

Given i now had a job i called the agency to say i clearly didnt need to attend any more interviews, no problem they say...

2 weeks later i get a call from the person who i had arranged to meet.... the agency had not contacted them, and she had waited in all morning for me

i felt awful, but it really wasnt my fault

Tha last minute e-mail was useless as I had twin toddlers to settle to sleep before she arrived, so how was I able to turn on my lap top and read my e-mails?! Its common courtesy to phone well in advance to say you cannot make an appointment. Well it is in my book!

I have twins due at christmas and will start interviewing now to make sure all is ready for D day. I was dismayed to learn that so many others have had the same problem, its worrying enough as it is having to hire a stranger to help with your children. It hardly instills confidence when things go wrong before you even meet them.

Good luck with all your nanny hunting

It's so common, a nanny did it to me when I was interviewing recently. I texted her and she claimed she had her days mixed up, so I said OK come tomorrow and again she simply didn't show, no call, text, email nothing.

And she was acting like she really wanted the job

As everyone says best to know now. Also had a night nanny who texted on the day saying she couldn't come, as I was running around with a toddler I didn't see the text until 9pm . In these situations you should always CALL if you can't make it or are going to be late or not show.

paulamummyknowsbest are you still availiable in the new year for night feeds? I cannot message you so how do I get in touch?

you can google search me for my contact details

Berengaria
Did you say you have twin toddlers now...AND twins due at Christmas?

RElating to your OP: When we were recruiting for live out nannies I always confirmed where the nanny lived, how long the commute would be likely to take, and how they were planning to get to us. This is before any interview. Many won't check the distance - we live in zone four in East London and got CVs from people in Neasden, even Uxbridge I think once, who were planning to come by tube to us. Or would have frankly messed us around as yours did once they got to Bond street and realised they still had another thirty min to go...