Received Monday, September 22, 2008 - Perspective & Opinion
I have a wonderful nanny who has been with my family for 2 years. My children absolutely adore her and she is constantly going above and beyond.
So...Friday, our nanny texts me that my oldest daughter (4) threw up when she woke up from nap...all over her bed...sheets/comforter and her clothes all needed washed, which my nanny washed. I called to see what was wrong and if I needed to call the doctor, nanny didn't answer the phone, but called right back and apologized....she was in the middle of cleaning up my baby's blow out diaper, which got all over his clothes as well.
After deciding it is just my daughter's cold, and drainage that caused her to throw up, I send my husband, who works a lot closer to home than I do, to bring home some 7-up, to help settle our oldest daughter's stomach. My daughter had no other symptoms and already was playing like she was fine again, otherwise I would have immediately gone home...we don't make our nanny watch the kids when they are sick.
So, I call one more time to check on everyone and nanny says when she opened the 7-up that my husband ran inside (and must have shook up), it exploded and she was currently cleaning the sticky kitchen floor, but everyone was ok.
I felt horrible for her day and came home early so she could have the afternoon off and start her weekend early.
But, is there 'hazard' pay for a day like this?? if so what? Would a nice gift suffice, or a gift card to somewhere?
36 comments:
You sound very sweet. Give your nanny a gift certificate for a meal at a restaurant or a spa treat to relax after the "expolsive" day at work.
It's a sweet impulse and I think you should definitely act on it, it will really mean a lot to your nanny, I'm sure.
Hazard pay isn't really standard in the industry, though, so you shouldn't worry that you [b]have[/b] to do something. It makes much more of an impact to let your nanny know you appreciate her by paying competitive wages, providing paid vacation, holidays & sick time, offering help with health insurance (if not taking on the complete financial burden) and paying an industry standard holiday bonus (1-2 weeks salary in the NY area).
Like with any person-employee, boss, friend, relative-it's how you treat your nanny 365 days a year that will be remembered, not the one day that the s**t happens to hit the fan.
I think a spa retreat would be good it sounds like she had such a "FUN day she would enjoy being able to just get a day to just relax and unwind from something like this...
Wow, what a nice lady you are! I wouldn't give her "hazard" pay, but, maybe a gift card for a mani/pedi or some nice flowers or chocolates or wine if she eats them would be nice.
I disagree with Emily. My boss has also given "hazard" pay in another form. I lost a tire on her drive due to her gardener dropping nails on the drive. She bought me two new tires even after I protested.
Thank you for recognizing that we have bad days at work too and wanting to let her know you appreciate her diligence.
Nondeplume-I said that her idea of hazard pay was a good one & she should act on it. You disagree with that or with the idea that you should treat your nanny well all the time?
I think you sound like a very caring and great employer. Yes, days like this happen, your nanny sounds like she handled it with grace and a loving attitude. I also think your idea of hazard pay is an excellent one. You can never go wrong giving someone a tip or just showing them that you recognize what they do or have done. Having said that, do you know where she loves to shop? Or does she have a favorite restaurant? A movie- goer? I'm sure you know her well after two years and will find something that, in addition to the thank you for the day in question and your treatment of her throughout the year, will show her that you appreciate her care and diligence that day. :) Take care, again, you sound like a great employer with a great nanny!~
Wow, I want to work for you! I've had tons of horrible days as a nanny and I never got anything. I don't think you're obligated to get her anything, it's all part of being a nanny. But, I do think it's a nice gesture and she would certainly appreciate it. If you want to do it (Not because you feel you have to) but you genuinely want to, I think a gift card to a restaurant or like others said, a mani/pedi would be nice.
Wow. You sound lovely! I was a nanny for a 2 year old who got a horrible, horrible stomach virus and flu when I was with him. The mom was on a business trip for five days, so the entire five days hell for me and the poor kiddo. He was throwing up every fives minutes, horrible fever, couldn't even walk he was in so much pain.. I cleaned more in those five days then most people do in a month.
Basically, I spent five days being covered in vomit, sticky medicine, more vomit and kiddo sweat, and the father still managed to come home twenty minutes late everyday. Did I get anything (even a thank you?) from them for taking care of their very sick son and shuttling him off to the doctor three times? Nope!
I commend you for even having the thought to do something additional for your nanny... You sound like a wonderful boss.
Gift cards are always nice! Letting her start her weekend early was also excellent of you to do.. Maybe a gift card to her favorite clothing store? Winter is approaching and I'm sure she'd be stoked if she got some new clothes out of a crazy, hectic day.
You rock!!
What a nice and thoughtful post!
I have never heard of "hazard pay", and you are not obligated to give anything extra to your nanny for having such a bad day at work.
However, I think it would be nice to do so, and a gift card or a little extra cash would sure make your nanny feel more appreciated. It would establish goodwill between you two and the working relationship will only be tighter.
I wish there were more employers like you!
i'm LOL-ing at this post. sounds like the kind of day i just finished!
you're an awesome employer, mom!
OP,
well done! You are a very good person to think so highly of your nanny! I think a gift card from anywhere (restaurant, groceries, spa treatment, manipedi) would be lovely.
What a great boss you are! I hope other employers of nannies read this lovely post and take your cue!
You could give her a gift card if you want to a spa for a mani pedi or a resturant for dinner, however I think it goes with the territory and happens to the best of us, and we do not really expect "hazard pay" or anything of the sort. Having said that, I do wish/hope other employers who read this and didn't first think of it got a nice hint, that nannies appreciate a sweet gesture ever so often when they go above and beyond the call of duty. EMPLOYERS TAKE NOTICE!! Thanks OP!!
absolutely the gift card with a humerous note about going over and above the call of duty
I'm so glad to hear that this nanny handled things well and didn't demand that you pay extra.It would be very sweet to give her something that would pamper her one day. A mani/pedi GC or something.
It's just one of those days! Giving her the afternoon off was very thoughtful.
I love the spa idea!
A gift card to a clothing store to get new - non puked on- clothes ;)
wow Op, that is so nice of you. I have never heard of hazard pay but it would be really sweet of you to give her something. Everyone has bad days and little things can go a long way. So even just a little gift and a note say a lot about you and your character. But I agree with others that a spa day or even just a pedicure gift certificate would be welcomed.
That is AWESOME of you to suggest.
You should totally give her some compensation just to show her how much you truly value her and what she goes through.
Kids can be gross ;)
But are the most precious gifts of life...right?
I would give her something that she can pamper herself with. Perhaps a gift card for a pedicure or a facial or something. And a nice note expressing how much you appreciate everything she does.
Wow, you sound pretty nice. Much better than my previous employer.
Her son was sick sick sick, things coming out both ends and she insisted I stay and watch the baby.
Lo and behold I got sick and couldn't work for 2 days...she thanked me by not paying me for the ONLY two days I EVER called in sick.
I would say if you can treat her to a mani and pedi if that's her style.
OP,
As a nanny, I would appreiciate some flowers or a giftcard to just about anywhere.
It kind of makes me sad at the same time because I don't get this kind of treatment. Do other nannies? Is this common?
Wow OP, how sweet of you. Your nanny sounds wonderful, and she probably goes above and beyond because YOU appreciate her sincerely and treat her well :).
Thats so sweet of you! Refreshing to hear about good employers as well as good nannies.
How about a gift card for a massage? Nothing like a massage when the day is crazy!
Your nanny sounds like she is a hard worker, and kudos to you for recognizing that being a nanny isn't a cakewalk.
:)
I would give her a gift certificate for a spa treatment. And good for you for being such a good employer!
wow, you sound like an awesome family to work for! "hazard pay" would probably be most welcome! I agree with the suggestions of a massage certificate if that is something that you are able to do. I know that I cherished those when I got them as gifts.
I worked as a nanny for 5+ years and never had anyone do something like this for me. They were always very appreciative when I cared for their sick children but in turn I almost always ended up getting sick which caused me to end up missing work (luckily I was paid for those sick days) but a small token of appreciation is ALWAYS welcome :)
keep a tight grip on that nanny, she sounds like a godsend
Wow! Why couldn't I have had an employer like you!?!
I would say a little $10 Starbucks GC or the such would be nice if you wanted to do something!
I know I loved grabbing coffee on my way to work!
OP,
WHAT did you decide to do?
PLEASE update us.
We are all eager to know.
Update Cow, I'm so sick of you.
Well I am getting updates, aren't I?
Your welcome.
ha ha ha, I love the update cow! She gets results!
This is OP.
I fired her.....
TOTALLY JOKING!
I got her a card to her favorite store and her favorite restaurant..which worked out perfectly...she had a night out planned at her favorite restaurant the day I gave it to her. She was very happy.
That's cool, OP. But I didn't get why you thought the joke about firing her would be funny. I thought this situation was more serious than that.
OP, perfect choice! Not over the top, but thoughtful and useful!!!! Good job!!!!
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