UPDATED Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

I have a nanny come every Thursday for 8 hours. She is WONDERFUL. She also comes to watch DD when DH and I go out on the weekends. She also cleans our house with another woman once every 2 weeks.

I was going to give her a very nice tip for the holidays. But, she just called me and told me that she'll be taking a vacation to her country for 3 weeks in January. She mentioned that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all fall on Thursdays. I told her of course she won't have to work on those days. She mentioned nicely that her other clients pay her for holidays that she doesn't work. I told her I would talk to her about it.

What is the norm? If I pay her for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, and give her a tip we're talking close to $1,000. I love her, but that is a lot of money.

What would you do?

eta:

Thanks everyone for your advice. I talked to her yesterday. She was totally understanding. The plan is for her to make up the hours she will miss during the 3 holidays. She is going to start coming twice a week for awhile. I didn't mean to give the impression that she was rude at all for asking....it didn't happen like that...she's just trying to earn as much money as she can. She is a very hard worker. Anyway, all is worked out. Thanks again for your help!

Message edited 11/14/2008 8:34:27 AM.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

If you had not ironed those issues out when she started, I would not pay her for that but give the nice tip that you were planning on giving. If she wants to get paid for those days, she needs to develop a contract and have you sign that prior to her taking the job

Be firm but polite, she is out of her mind

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Did you discuss about vacations, time off, sick time at the beginning?

If not, I would talk to her as she took you off guard a bit and should have informed you it was her intent to do so.

I also feel it's a lot to ask for just 1 day a week.

If she was a FT sitter I would understand much better the paid time off. But again that should have been disclosed in the beginning.

Message edited 11/11/2008 4:05:07 PM.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

we didn't discuss the terms in the beginning. I got her name from a good friend (I'll probably ask her what she plans to do), so I didn't draw up a contract with her.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by johnsae

we didn't discuss the terms in the beginning. I got her name from a good friend (I'll probably ask her what she plans to do), so I didn't draw up a contract with her.

I would not pay her for those days, that is what contracts are for. I would give her the tip you were planning on giving, I am sure it will be more than generous

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

What if you had her come a different day each of those weeks and then give her a tip, so she would be working for the money.
If she was full time then I would pay her but since she isn't then I would give her a nice tip.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

If she was your nanny full time (5 days/week) i woud pay her for the days. However, since you only use her 1 day per week I wouldn't pay her for them. However, I would give her a nice tip though. I'm generally a very generous person but because she only works for you 1 day per week I don't feel the "paying for the holiday thing" applies to your situation. If you feel bad not paying her at all than maybe as a concession you can agree to pay for 1 out of the 3 holidays? I think that's more than fair.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

I do not think she should be paid for those days. I actually think it's quite nervy of her to expect you to do so. She works for you ONE day a week. IMO, you don't get paid vacation when you work one day. I think you should work it out that she comes to work on a different day so she doesn't lose out on money, but she still works for it.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Did you plan on paying her for the holidays before she mentioned it?

I think it was rude that she asked, but you love her, and she is good with your daughter.

I would pay her for Christmas, maybe Thanksgiving, def. not New Years. I would still give her the same tip.

I would not pay her for the 3 weeks that she is on vacation.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

So, we have a salaried nanny who works with us for the week. My intention is to have her not work those big holidays and obviously still pay her, as well as give her one week paid at years end.

However, we have a housekeeper who comes once a week and I would always allow her to work that day if she needed the money. Always; that is my responsibility to her. However, if it was a big holiday and she chose to take off, I would not pay her for that day. At year end, I give her two "weeks" paid, as she is a complete gem as well.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

I think that is a bit much to ask of someone when you work for them on a VERY part time basis.

I'd just pay her for those 3 weeks (so 3 days of pay) and call it a day. No special bonus, no payment for the holidays and call it even. Like she gets a paid vacation (at this point)

And I'd try to come up with some type of contract with her.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

thats a little crazy for her to expect you to pay for the holidays that she is not working. it like my cleaning lady expecting me to pay her for those days that she was not able to come and clean the house. I think that she should have brought this up with you before she started working for you. But i never heard of such thing before in my life.

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

If she is not Full Time Nanny you don't have to pay for the days you don't need her (like Thanksgiving). I would just give her a bonus for Christmas.
I worked as a full time nanny for 5 years and had this problem every year

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

I think it's wrong with her to expect pay on those days when it had never been discussed. If you don't want to ruffle any feathers, I would just pay her for those 3 days when she gets back and forget the tip!

Re: Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

update at top

Re: UPDATED Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Glad it all worked out.

Re: UPDATED Question about paying nanny for holidays and holiday tip

Sounds like a great solution. Glad it all worked out.