CM Club: BANK HOLS - what about these parents who have changed day for me????

[looneytune]

Hi

My contracts always state that I am available to work bank hols, but if I do work, it's double pay. Therefore normal pay even if not needed - standard round here.

BUT......parent is changing the days I have their 2 children from Tues-Thurs to Mon-Wed as I have had problems filling spaces etc (you'll know the full story if you've seen my other threads about them).

So, it seems unfair to charge double pay for bank hols if they've changed for me doesn't it! Obviously I prefer not to work bank hols but I am available if needed. So what should I do if these parents do need me? Charge normal everyday rate because they are helping me out? Or should I stick with the double pay like everyone else?

Not sure what to do but need to sort today if possible as signing new contracts tonight.

Thanks

She could I suppose argue that because she changed for you that you shouldn't charge. However, a contract is a contract.

So what I would do is in this case i would only charge normal rate, BUT tell her in the future that you will be charging double pay as per your contract.

Compromise is probably best? I don't know. it's what I would do anyway, and I am a softie so feel free to ignore me

Looney,
Could you offer to take the child on a different day during weeks where there is a bank hol on the Monday?

Does she want you on bank holidays?

I do think that since she is changing for you, it would be a bit cheeky to turn around and charge her for it.

Is this the same family with the au pair from your other thread? If so, aren't you considering giving notice?

Glad you agree. I don't think it's right to double charge either and just wanted to check what others thought. So, I will charge normal rate if they use me. What about if they don't use me? Should I refund the days pay? They won't have actually lost out financially as I am able to work if they need me. What do you think?

Eleusis - I know, I know. I am still thinking about things with this family. So difficult to know what to do. I'm so very fond of the girls that I'm giving it a bit more time before I rush into anything. Reason being is it turned out the other lady who wants someone full time eventually, is more than likely to not need this til the end of the year now. Gives me more time to see how things go.

i wouldnt charge double this time, but i wouldnt refund payment if she doesnt come, you are still availbale and not coming is paid same as anyother absence.

That's what I think is fair They do get a discount off 2nd child which is part of the reason why I had to approach them about changing days. So, normal charge for bank hols whether they use me or not - that sound fair then?

Thanks

when explaining i would give her a new or 'revised' fee's list showing your t&c andhat you 'will' be charging

Perfectly fair, just make sure she knows the deal for next time. Those girls are lucky to have you

What I was thinking is that if you are likely to give them notice in say a few months anyway, then you aren't going to gain much by charging double on bak hols so it might not be worth the hassle of installing that (but sounds like you've already decided not to).

I'm wondering though if you charge the same for not coming as you change for coming, the parents have ni incentive not to bring the child. I mean they are paying the same either way, so you'll probably get her on every bank holiday. You might want to say give them half fees to not come and ful fees if they bring the kids. Of course it's a bit less money for you, so you might not want to do that.

UMM hard this one!
I know that you asked the mum to change days to help you out but she must have read before about your payments for bank holidays.
If you are only going to charge her normal rates then I think you will end up looking after the children every bank holiday monday as there will be no difference in her fees, so I would remind her of your charges and maybe give a little discount for the easter bank holiday and then say the rest is as said in your fees.
Sorry thats just my opinion, I get paid bank holidays but have the day off.

I spend so long thinking about this that Eleusis was already saying about the mum sending them.

If it's any help, when I used achildminder I paid her full fees for bank holidays. She was available to work, but I never asked her to. But, then I work five long days every week, so a day off I spend with my kids and wouldn't like to send them off. And from your other thread, these people obviously don't have the same approach to parenting. So they will likely send them to you.

I know, it's a tough one isn't it. I DO think they'd probably send the kids to me if they were off as they may as well eh!

I think I may offer to do half fees if not used and full fees if am used?! That way I don't have to refund a whole day for 2 children (as they pay by standing order) if they don't use me but I also give an incentive to NOT use me

Having said that, she already had my bank holiday fees in her original contract. Oh dear, I need to dish up dinner and make a decision in the next hour. I'm sooooo rubbish at this stuff!

How did it go?

Didn't turn up!! Au Pair was sent instead!!

Soooooooo, I now have until Tues at the earliest to ponder over this!

Oh good grief. That would piss me off. Maybe you should write double pay for bank holidays and considerate a sort of hazard pay for all the extra hassle. Or, just hand the contract to the au pair to take it to her and see if she signs it.

PMSL

It did annoy me the rudeness of not even emailing me to say sorry for not turning up as she was supposed to be signing forms and stuff too

BUT......ds is poorly and it meant I wasn't sorting paperwork out til 7pm so I could give him lots of love and attention!! So tbh, I'm not that fussed apart from the rudeness!

But yeah, I may well charge double after Easter, sod it! They get a discount for sibling which I couldn't really afford so why not!

I can't stand the rudeness of not even bothering to cal and say someone can't make it. I'd put in double pay, and if she signs it great. If she doesn't, then say oh sorry I just gave you the standard contract, is that a problem. And then be prepared to negotiate. But, let's face it this women does not practice attention to detail and you just might get away with it.

Me neither! Yep, I reckon I'll try that and see what happens.

Right, back to my poorly ds for more cuddles! You see, I want to give him attention when he's poorly like this, unlike them who bring them with awful streaming colds/temps and they are really miserable Good job I haven't got a housefull of kids and can actually spend time giving them lots and lots of cuddles etc. when they are poorly. (sorry, going off one one again! )