Giving the au pair a day off on her home country's national holiday?

[Simmy12]

Our au pair recently asked us for a day off on her home country's independence day or something, some kind of national holiday. Now, she is a very good au pair, never asked for a day off or anything before, really a lovely girl, and while I can arrange drop offs an pick ups for that day, and the children can stay at my mum's, I think it's a bit odd she wants the day off here. It's in the middle of the week, so she can't really go anywhere, and there aren't any events in the 20 mile radius that celebrate that day. I'm confused.

Maybe she has friends here from her home country and they're planning a get together to celebrate it?

Maybe she just wants the day off to ring family and kind of celebrate it with them?

Presumably she has a holiday allowance?

She ha

Isn't she allowed to book a days holiday?

Why are you questioning why she wants a day off?surely she is entitled to holidays like the rest of us ?

I guess for her it might seem like the equivalent of Christmas Day - she's never had to work on that day before and it feels a bit strange being away from her friends and family on that day and having to work. Perhaps she wants to travel to somewhere further away where she can meet other expats. Maybe you could Google the day and see whether you/dc could make a card or something appropriate for her. If you can juggle things and she is otherwise a good au pair then why not as long as it comes out of her holiday allowance.

I agree that as long as it comes out of her holiday allowance then there isn't a problem, she might be going to an event for it or just wants to have the day off to relax on a holiday she's grown up with.

Why does it seem odd? I'm American. When I lived in the UK, I celebrated Thanksgiving Day and the Fourth of July.

Employee: Can I have a day's annual leave please?
Employer: Yes/No as per your ability to accomodat

Surely the "why" is irrelevant?