Nanny looking for a new job without informing us

[Autumnsun1985]

Hi, just wanted some opinions on this...
Got a new nanny for our 2 children (both under 2). She started at the end of last year and told us she was looking for a long term job. This suited us. She has never raised any issues with us regarding the job and we thought everyone was happy.
However, we recently found out that she’s been looking for a new job behind our backs. Saying she’s available to start straight away. We have a contract with a 4 week notice period in place!
Is this a relatively common issue?
Not sure how to go about it all now.
We have as far as we are concerned been quite laid back employers and have sort of ‘left her to it’ - so am surprised this is happening so soon.

She’s no obligation to tell you that she’s job hunting, only to give her agreed notice.

Ok fair enough. I guess not.

I suppose I was hoping that she would let us know, but then again, why would she?

Who would tell their employer that they're looking for a new job before they had an offer? She's only obligated to give you the agreed notice period

Exactly. It's in your best interest not to tell an employer you're looking elsewhere as they might look to replace you before you're ready to leave.

The only thing that's off is saying she can start straight away when you've agreed 4 weeks notice.

Yes. I think it was just that she seemed desperate for the job, so it’s come as a surprise. But that’s covid times.

I have good reason to believe she may leave without working the notice period. So I suppose there isn’t much that we can do about that either.

Thank you for your replies

She's entitled to look for a new job. To be looking so soon though would make me think there is something about her current role that she's not happy with.

You've said you've just left her to it. Is she actually ok with that or does she feel put upon?

I wouldn't mention the job hunting but now could be a good time to sit down with her for a while and ask how it's all going and is she happy with everything.

If there's something specific she is unhappy with you might be able to sort it out. She has to be happy as well as you.

I know she has to be happy. But she’s never mentioned any issues. That works both ways I would have thought.

Would you mind me asking what you mean by ‘put upon’?

Why would you tell your employer that you are job hunting unless it was a temp contract?

@starfishmummy
I agree. It was more the fact that she’s saying she can work straight away

@Lindy2
Why would you not mention the job hunting? Just out of interest

I’d guess she’s not happy, I’d be trying to figure out why.

[quote Autumnsun1985]@Lindy2
Why would you not mention the job hunting? Just out of interest[/quote]
Because then the employer will start looking to replace you, and they may force you out before you have found something else.

You sound very naive, OP.

@Postapocalypticcowgirl
I think you have misunderstood. I meant why wouldn’t I mention I know she’s been looking?
Not her - of course I get that!

Why don't you approach her and ask her why she is not happy? It would be easier to solve the problem (does she want more money, less responsibilities) than to have to find a replacement, especially if your children already like her.

Do you ask her to do little extras, that weren't discussed at interview,?
Do you get home around the time stated or let her know if you'll be late?
Do you pay her extra for babysitting that wasn't previously agreed?
Do you expect her to tidy up your mess when she's only there for the kids?
Do you question why she doesn't cook from scratch when you give the kids chicken nuggets at weekends?
Do you respect the hard job she does, or think her career choice is beneath you?

Oh my goodness,why would you expect her to tell you she is looking for another job??? No one tell their employer this! She should work her 4 weeks notice but the reality is that most notice periods are difficult to fully enforce. I would get a plan B in place

Why is it that nannies seem to be treated differently from any other employee? She has a right to look for another job without informing you, just like anyone else would. As for being available straight away, you need to deal with her breaking the terms of her contract, if and when that happens.

You say she has not long worked for you. Have you asked for a meeting to review how she is settling into the job? Have you a plan in place for regular appraisal? Have you considered how you would feel starting a new role, and just being left to it?

Ok so ignore @ssd you clearly don't do any of these things 😂

I would do what was suggested above and say we have seen you are looking elsewhere and what the reason is? It could be something you can't actually do anything about eg location or she wants part time or she wants more hours or something like that nothing to do with you as a family. I would remind her that she is not available straight away as she has a 4 week notice period with you so she needs to amend that in her job posting

Also, how do you know she is looking?

She the children do like her, as do we.
@ssd
To answer your Q.
We don’t ask for anything extra and she wouldn’t have any time to do anything else. The children are very young.
We do always inform her if running late, but that hardly ever happens.
The house is not tidy when we get back. So no! But I don’t mind because that’s impossible with a baby and toddler in tow.
Why do you ask me if I think her job choice is beneath me? I suppose some people can act like that, but no, definitely not.

There's no way I would tell an employer I was job hunting! It could take her months to find something, or she may change her mind and decide to stay where she is.

Telling her gives you a big advantage - you could decide to look for a replacement and get rid of her sooner than she wanted to go, leaving her with nothing.