I have experience working for a few families, but this last one is so hard because MB is a helicopter parent. If she is not at home, she's bossing around on the phone to tell us what to do every single hour, and I work 10 hrs a day from Mon to Fri. Other times DB is at home too, because both are Drs. and have very random schedules at work. That is not all, they also hired 2 other nannies (one for each child) thinking it is safer and more helpful for us, but the problem is that they don't speak English and we can not comunicate with each other. The parents doesn't trust anybody anyway, and I am done with them. How is a nice way to quit? - Crayon
Just quit. It sounds like there are plenty of caregivers for the children, so you don't have to worry about them scrambling for back-up help. I probably wouldn't even give notice if I was in your shoes.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, this is probably highly inappropriate, but working for doctors is very difficult. I once had a MB who was an emergency-room doctor and she was a total control freak and had odd hours. She would sometimes call me at 5am and ask me to be at work in an hour! I decided after leaving that I would never work for a doctor again. Also, cops. A different family had a dad who was a cop and he was awful. Thought he was god's gift to earth. Ugh.
I'm not sure of the logic in hiring 2 other Nannies for safety reasons when they didn't think you all might need to be able to communicate if there is an actual emergency. That makes no sense to me. I really fail to see the logic in that decision.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I've had good experiences working for Drs. I realize that's (unfortunately) not the norm. But the strange hours were good for me because of how little sleep I need. Most of my hours were overnights and I felt that gave me more "me" time during the day. Also, they were very good about giving me my schedule in 6 week chunks and counting hours I'd be on call into my schedule and paying me for them. I've heard horror stories about Drs though.
Now on another offensive note: Lawyers. OMG. I have accepted a job with a 2 lawyer family in the past and when we sat down to negotiate the contract their crazy side came out. I mean, I get that you negotiate for a living but do you really need to try and show me? That's the one time I quit before I even started. Haha.
Ive worked for a family for the past 3 years both MB/DB are Doctors and have yet to have a problem. I think it depends on the person not the profession. They work out their schedules with each other so I don't work crazy OT, nights, or weekends. It helps that they have heard horror stories about their colleague's different nannies/the way their colleague have treated their nannies and they want to avoid being bad employers and keep a good nanny.
ReplyDeleteI would ask to speak to them at a time that is convenient for both of you. When you can sit down and talk away from the children explain that the job has changed and its not the right fit for you anymore. Give a firm date of your last day of employment and also have a letter of resignation. Two weeks notice is fine. Best of luck to you I hope you find a family that is a great fit.
Just give them notice either verbally or in writing.
ReplyDeleteThen leave.
Easy peasy.
Why would the hire nannies that are unable to communicate with you.
ReplyDeleteThis situation sounds bizarre.
Anywayy. first get a letter of reference from them now if they ask you can tell them it's for weekend babysitting or volunteering etc.
Secondly, get a job ad have a contract signed.
Just give verbal and written notice of 2 weeks just becase it's professional even if they have the backup. They may let you go on the spot so, again make sure you have a job first. If they become nasty to you leave right away.
Refrain from discussing their behavior as why you want to leave and go.
I hope your net job is a good match!
you have a good head on your shoulders - you know this is not for you, you are not being treated right and you are doing something about it
ReplyDeletelet us know what happens
Awww, I agree its not the profession its the person. A dick is a dick...no matter what they do for a living.
ReplyDeleteI worked for doctors in the past and they were pretty cool.
I'm trying hard not to hijack this thread but Lyn, I'm dying to know about the lawyers. How bad was the contract? Like, were they just insanely detailed or were they trying to screw you over? Story time please.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it's insane to hire one nanny per child, first of all - that only makes things more complicated, but at least I can understand the intentions behind it. What I can't understand the intentions of, however, is hiring nannies who don't speak English. Not only does that lead to confusion among the nannies, but are the children old enough to talk yet? Imagine how confusing it would be for a child who doesn't speak the language their caregiver is speaking. Children pick up language fairly easily, but still! The stress of a new person -and- not being able to understand them?
It does come down to the person & not the occupation. However, certain personalities are attracted to certain occupations. Its not hard to find a caring nanny, a studious teacher, a controlling cop or a conceited doctor.
ReplyDeleteSo many doctors are used to being the expert in the room, never being second guessed & always being in charge. I wouldn't want to work for a doctor. Now that I think about it, I wouldn't want to work for a police officer either. Unless they were really cool & didn't fit the sterotype. Of course Id be open to it-but if they have certain traits, Id lose interest.
I say quit and move on.
ReplyDelete