nanny and sickness...

[notanidea]

We have a really nice nanny but she has been off sick for a week (day before in the last 10 months).She was due for a day procedure and has failed to come to work over the last week. I am ususally very considerate and she wanted only two days off but I gave an extra dayt to recover but text me the following day saying that she cant come.Although I understand these things happen I have covered these absences in short notice to my employer.I cant keep doing this and my contract is due to finish in august so I dont want any reason for them not to exten the contract.Can I ask her what happened and how many days are they allowed as sick leave

Obviously her health is the priority, as with any employer. The employee has to be fit and healthy for work and if she is not well enough to attend work then she cannot be forced. how much sick leave you pay her however is whatever is stipulated in her contract.

I appreciate what you mean about covering your absences to your employer. You don't want anything rocking the boat or tinging your reputation at work.

You are allowed to contact her I think to review the situation and then you can ascertain how much temporary cover you may need to get in for the short term. It would also be an opportunity to touch base and let her see your support.

We are looking out for a nanny at the moment so I am going by how I would deal with this situation and not personal experience..

I don't think you can ask her specifically about what happened - though she may volunteer that information to you.
I think you can ask her when she feels she will be returning to work.
How many days sick per year someone can take may be written in their contract but I think that only covers pay arrangements. A lot of nanny contracts only off Statutory Sick Pay.

Some documents that may, or may not be useful:
ACAS Long-Term Sickness (PDF)
ACAS Managing Attendance (PDF)
BusinessLink Manage Absence

You may want to try posting in Legal Matters to see if you can get the attention an Employment Lawyer (or someone else similar) who could advise about legal rights of your employee and you as the employer.

is she not ment to show you a letter or something from the doctor which says for how long she is not able to work?

did the op have complications?

No as far as I know. But I understand that she is 47 and could have taken more time than usual to recover.But my only gripe is that she could have telephoned me and I would have been really understanding and would have sorted it out but not TEXT ing.With Two children I dont check my mobile that often. I cannot see how I can text and tell my employer that I wont be able to work that day or the following day.
She is at work and was very defensive and I am working from today -fine with the baby but not in real talking terms with me.I had sorted out the lunch for them and evening tea for my eldest thinking that it is better for her to take as much rest as she can.

it is very unprofessional to text in sick - texts go astray - should ALWAYS call your employer if not coming in

exactly.These sort of unexpected things happen to all of us it is just the way it was conveyed.I could have made an effort to talk to her but IF i do this time then it will always me who will have to compromise and I am unwilling to do it as I have not done any mistake. Otherwise as I said, she is a nice nanny and good with the children.Her contract is due to be renewed in feb and amybe she is worried that I wont do it.I am willing to support her even if she has to have any procedure but we need enough notice and if I have to pay her and sought out another childcare we are not financially viable.