Nanny holidays

[SuiGeneris]

We have a part-time nanny for 3 days a week. Because of the pro-rataed holiday entitlement and the fact that most Bank Holidays fall on days she normally works, this year there are only about 3.5 weeks' "free choice" holiday days. We hired her earlier than planned and already had holidays booked so end result is that, if we were to stick to our contractual arrangement, there are only about 1.5 days' free-choice holidays left. We still have about 5 weeks' holiday to take, so the likelihood is that our nanny will have at least another 3 weeks off, on top of those 1.5 days.

DH are thinking of what options we could look at to restore some of the nanny's holiday, but are also wary of setting a precedent for future years (in terms of expectations).

What are people's thoughts?

Do part-time nannies ever go on holiday with the family? If so, would a reduction in effective working hours compensate for the discomfort of being away from home? I am thinking, for example, that we could see if the nanny could join us on holiday for one week, which we would obviously pay as 6 days' work (so effectively 2 of her normal weeks), but then ask her to work 4-5 hours a day instead of the normal 8.

We will obviously discuss with her and seek to agree something that we all consider fair, but would be interested in views from nannies and other more experienced families.

I don't think she will see going on holiday as a perk. I think shje will see it as required work travel. I sometimes travel to beautiful Aberdeen for work. I don't see it as a perk, but rather a contractual obligation to fulfilling the duties for which I am paid.

You don't have to give her any more than 1.5 days as per the contract. But, obviously, if you can and want to, then that will probably be appreciated. In order to avoid setting a precedence I would just outline the arrangement on an e-mail and note this is a one-off token of appreciation.

She may well be happy to go on holiday with you and work the (reduced) hours you describe. But, don't expect her to regard it as perk.

so are you saying she will have the 1.5weeks off for holiday of her choice, plus the 2 weeks that you have chosen, then you want her to go on the rest of the holidays with you, so she is still working but less hours?

it depends on your reasoning for this. in general if you choose to go away more than the holiday entitlement the nanny gets and you dont need her you should still pay her, her going on holiday with you is an option (but to her if would be work, it isnt a holiday for her) but it could work out a lot more expensive for you as you will be paying her flights, her visa if needed, her own room, food etc on top of her wages. so do you actually need her on holiday or do you just dont like the idea of her having more holiday time off than her entitlement? (i dont mean that to sound bitchy lol, im just pointing out the fact it will cost you a lot to pay for her to go with you). my last job the mum had 6weeks off a year (works in government, sums it up lol) i had 4 weeks but as she went away for 6weeks i still got paid for it all as im available for work, have bills etc to pay, you cant just say to an employee im not going to pay for your wages next week. also does she have family, committments with her own life? usually going on holiday with a family is negotiated in interview or contract time, she might not be able to go with you. in general its reasonable to want a nanny to go with you, if you are upfront about it at the begining and the nanny can do it, but this nanny might not

Holiday wise our new nanny gets certain bank holidays and then can chose 1/3 of the remaining time, we choose 2/3.
Part-timers don't ususually go on holidays, although I'm sure if you make it attractive enough salary wise she'll consider it.
I think you just need to sit down with her and explain. If I don't need my existing nanny on a certain day, she will often make up the time babysitting or for example with the extra bank holiday this year she is going to work a saturday instead.
Recently, she's had a couple of half days paid when she's not come into work as I really didn't need her.

Of course our nanny will continue to be paid her salary regardless of how much holiday we take- no issues on that front.

Also fully realise our holiday is not her holiday and needs to be rewarded appropriately.

The question is more that there is very little discretionary holiday time left for her this year and although it is contractually correct I am trying to think of ways that would allow her more choice and work for us as a family.

Sorry, meant to say first of all that I was grateful for your replies- but got carried away with the rest of the post.

wow, i would never, nor do i know any nannies, who would work a saturday to have a bank holiday off.

Bank holidays off are not an entitlement. They form part of the holiday allowance. Presumably nanny was given the choice and could work a Saturday (so it counts as TOIL) or have it taken from the holiday allowance. You can't be made to work a Saturday but it may have been preferable to 'losing' a days choice of holiday.

I used to switch BHs with a previous employer - she needed to be in the office on a day when the rest of Europe worked so I changed the Bank Holiday for an extra day later in the year.

In terms of going away what provision does your contract make for this? I feel that if it's not been discussed before nanny would be well within her rights to refuse. Also remember the additional costs mentioned - is it really worth it? Much better to bank the goodwill IMO unless it would make a significant difference to your holiday.

ok...
if i was your nanny.... (I assume she has rights to choose some of her holiday days in her contract)

Id be choosing the amount of days i was allowed to choose.
and i would not be keen about going on holiday with you either!
If you want to go away, then fine, just pay me as usual as im avaliable to work. (you could reasonabley ask her to go in and perhaps sort playroom, or do some batch cooking etc)

in the past i have had 7 - 10 weeks paid holiday because my bosses went away more than the days had to choose. for me in my contract. I wouldnt worry about her expecting it every year. To me all my extra holiday was ALWAYS a bonus that i wasnt expecting.

5.6 weeks is the minimum holiday entitlement. No reason why you cant be kind and give her more. I expect if you give her more she will be even happier to perhaps swap days occasionaly or do that bit extra for you etc. Give n take and all that

charliecoco she had the option of working it, taking it unpaid or swapping the day as she has run out of paid holiday for this year. She's already contracted to work 1 saturday a month anyway as overtime.
My point was that it is all give and take.
Plenty of nannies I know work at the weekend occasionally, as did i when i was working. I wouldn't employ someone who was so inflexible.
My point was that it is all give and take as most of the other posters have also said.