Nanny calling in sick

[LovelyTrees]

Hello just wondering what the view of experienced nannies is regarding calling in sick. I am new to nanny employing but my nanny has called in sick 3 times in the past 3 months and it's been really inconvenient for me having to cancel work meetings with just a couple of hours notice and work late at night to make up the lost time.

Obviously people get sick but what can I do, if anything, to stop keep being left without childcare?

I'd extend her probationary period and make it clear why.

I have been a nanny for 6 years and have never taken a day off sick. ever. Even after a bad riding accident. I have only had a day for a funeral. She is taking the total P or she has a serious underlying illness which she needs to discuss with you.

I was really ill yesterday & sick during the day (migraine related), however the baby had a chest infection and I felt needed me rather than a temp nanny (parents can't have time off) so I struggled on through and napped when she did, watched more TV: I made sure everyone was fed, safe, clean and happy.. I certainly wasn't myself but I managed. Others said I should've gone home but baby was happy having a very quiet day and so was I. (2 kids btw, one at school)

Some nannies aren't as committed to their job and yours sounds this way. I am offered full pay for five days then SSP. still never used it. I would remove the full pay for her.

OP we had the exact same situation with a previous nanny and it was a nightmare, so I really sympathise. I would definitely stop the full pay when the nanny is sick and have a very serious chat with her. It wasn't sustainable for us as it was so stressful trying to arrange last minute cover all the time....

I'd expect a doctors cert for all three of those - no-one self diagnoses those three. I work for a large corporate company and we would be put on SSP after 5 days uncertified sick leave in any rolling 12 month period.

I would take legal advice and get rid of her if you have not seen any certification for these illnesses.

If you have and you believe that she has genuinely been ill then you could extend her probationary period and tell her that you will be unable to pay her for any future absences until the end of her first 12 months. Note it is not good practice to allow her to use holiday to cover sick leave and in any case it still leaves you in the lurch with your employer.

Are you a single parent. If not, then however hard your partner needs to step up before you are placed on a disciplinary.

To be fair to the nanny. All 3 of those illness' are contagious and be really rather nasty for little ones. Espesially shingles there can be many complications.

From the sounds of things IMO sounds like she did not rest enough the first time so her immune system is low so she is just going from virus to virus.

Whilst not ideal for you far from it. But perhaps she should see it as a lesson learned to rest more whilst ill.

Can you not speak to friends who live locally too form agreement if one or the others childcare falls through you can nanny share for the day?

Nanny is back and we talked about it today.
Unfortunately noone I know nearby has a nanny, they all use family or nursery so nanny share not an option at the moment.

Turns out our nanny has an underlying condition meaning a weak immune system so this might keep happening. Apparently her GP only issues a sick note if ill for more than 7 days, othereise its a self cert although legally I can request a dr cert from her in addition.

She admitted she was run down and not looking after herself properly. I've told her her probation period is extended by 3 months and we will review at the end of each month until probation complete so hopefully she will start to show more commitment. If not then I will just have to woman up and replace her. I can't lose any more days at work and no spare annual leave left now.

I think her inexperience is to blame, she seemed to think I could just take a day off not realising how big of an impact it has on me, my customers and my colleages and boss. I explained if I lose my job she loses hers too! Overall it went well. Thanks for all the advice.

Apparently her GP only issues a sick note if ill for more than 7 days, othereise its a self cert

that is completely normal - certificates for less than 7 days are chargeable. it's to stop people going to the GP with every cough and cold because they need a certificate

I think you've handled it well and you'll either see a change in behaviour or not, and if not she'll have to go.

Inexperience? she's been really ill,Shingles knocks you sideways. She's had a run of bad luck health wise but would you really want someone who had Shingles around your child?

Op said she was inexperienced in that nanny thought it was fine to be off and OP would just take the day off. Not mighty pain in ass and knock on effect on work or livelihood.

It's rather mean not to mention health concerns where it's a job that only you can do and it all falls apart if you are sick, and then you admit you are not talking care of yourself.... Surely you try reassure boss you are doing all you can to eat, sleep rest to keep your body in the best health it can. Let's hope she takes it more seriously with her job on the line.

Such a tough situation. I have an underlying autoimmune condition that means I'm ill all the bloody time. My employer puts up with it, but that's because they are reasonably large, and they get me at a much lower salary than I would command elsewhere if I were healthy.

You only have one employee and you just can't take the hit from her health situation. As hard as it is on her, you need to get yourself out of this one. And I'd suggest the nanny would do better in a career with less exposure to germ-ridden children.