Nanny sensationally quit

[fancytiles]

Wondering how you would handle this, our nanny we have had for 7 months has just quit out of the blue giving 2 weeks notice (in the contract we have with her, which she drafted, it says she needs to give 8 weeks notice). In total shock and feeling really let down. She said it's a family matter.

How about doing an informal exit interview with her so you can get a sense of any issues you can rectify before you get the next nanny?

Also, are you Kate M.

You’ve posted in completely the wrong place for any sensible advice. The loons of mumsnet are out today. Clearly you are going to be upset and annoyed that someone is leaving and not giving the proper notice she is required to give. Why on earth the conclusion by said loons should be that you have therefore treated her badly etc is beyond me. It is entirely possible that she is a flake who has no sense of job responsibilities. We can’t know either way but why on earth should it automatically the OP’s fault. I would sit down and ask her what this family matter is and then based on whatever it is negotiate from there. Illness/death I would honour what she wants, anything else I would ask her to stay for a month.

@Marley20 that’s utter rubbish. Why bother posting if you are clueless on the subject.
1 week is the minimum you must give IF you have no contract, or it’s not stated in the contract.
They’d be absolutely no point in having a contract otherwise. Contracts are legally binding documents.

I mean, if you really want her to you could hold her to the contract...

I love reading Sits Vac in The Lady mag - "Housekeeper Wanted"

Wow - that's an eyeopener.... 20-30k salary...plus 3 bed cottage...plus car...must be willing to travel 3 months a year...etc!

I would not offer to give her a reference though and if she asks for one, I would refuse.

Jesus, what a piece of work.

Dear lord will someone please think of the children

Well, that was a massive letdown.

< slides in >

Urgh! Sensationalist!

< bangs the door on the way out >

You just can't get the staff these days...

Where's the 'sensationally' bit OP? You've rather a lot of disappointed people on this thread who would like to know so spill ...

How would I handle it? Umm... Get a new one?

@Popsy321

She hasn't sensationally quit. She's just handed her notice in.

Yes, I was not imagining this story at all!

So either it is a genuine family issue and she has to leave quickly or there is an issue she cannot or will not bring up with you about her employment.

If she doesn't want to be there or has to leave for family reasons, my advice is to let her go. The atmosphere would be awful if you tried to get her to stay.

Nanny quit abruptly, not sensationally.

I'd concentrate on finding a replacement.

Also try to get feedback, to check it wasn't her job that was making her move, in order to stop the same thing happening again.

If she has put her notice in, I don't think there is any point trying to change her mind, either she needs to be elsewhere or she wants to be elsewhere.

I was hoping for something like a naked interpretive dance in the front garden.

Shit happens - I had 2x childminders quit with no notice. One decided she couldn't be doing with the early starts anymore and told all the parents on a Weds evening don't come back tomorrow. The other CM was closed down with immediate effect by Ofsted.

Are you happy with her work? Does she give the impression of being happy in her work?

If so, I'd at least entertain the possibility that whatever the 'family matter' is, it might be that she's dealing with has knocked her off balance & led to her giving notice, when actually she needs some time out but would then want to come back.

If this turns out to be the case, you could agree a month (or whatever) leave & cover the gap with a temp?

I would sit her down for a chat. Explain that this is awfully inconvenient, but of course you would like to work something out that avoids having her quit permanently - does she want to come back after she's dealt with the family situation?

If she says, no, she's outta there for good, I'd definitely ask for feedback as to why the job doesn't suit. It would be useful to know when hiring again (eg. you live somewhere remote/accommodation isn't great/dc are a handful/no car/salary too low/you are a nightmare boss/whatever!).

She'll probably be less than completely frank as she won't want to jeopardise her reference, but you may well be able to read between the lines.

Oh pooooo I was imagining a daily fail situation with the nanny striding the washing machine and then quit when OP called her out on it

You take no notice OP. I think it's very sensational.

In 1996 a woman in our office had her baby sitter sensationally quit when they moved to Wolverhampton. She said it was too far for her on the bus.

But we still speculate now....

Oh dear, staff these days.
Think of the kids, someone.
one of their parents might have to step up.

Did she not give a reason? Do you normally have a good relationshio with her?
Have you asked her if there is anything you can do to make her reconsider or at least reconsider her short notice?

Sensationally??? Pahaha...

Mary Poppins left when the wind changed, at least you're getting more notice.

Can someone please regale us with an actual story of a nanny sensationally quitting?
I feel let down.

I work in HR, let me say that employees leaving without being able to work their full notice happens regularly. Especially relatively new employees. Personal circumstances are usually the main reason, otherwise it’s subsequently discovered that something bad happened to them at work (not trained, role isn’t as described at interview, not made welcome, bullying, harassment, etc).

My advice, let her leave with your best wishes, think carefully whether you have set up your nanny arrangement properly and clearly as it sounds like you’re new to it, and focus on finding a new nanny.

There will be no benefit to asking her to stay longer than the two weeks she’s given or from not providing a reference and the thought of suing her for breach of contract is laughable. A lawyer would happily take your money but you’d have no chance of getting it back.

It’s not sensational at all.