sticky work situation - your opinion, please...
chanstriste13
Posts: 3,277 Member
okay. i am a certified teacher looking for a position, and i have been for over 2 years now. in the meantime, i have been nannying for a *great* family since may of 2009. i feel totally grateful and blessed to have this amazing family keep me on and make it worth my while. but, of course, i'm about to spew out a few complaints, so let me get on with it...
i have been paid for thanksgiving holiday the past two years. so i kind of expected to have that again, partly because that's how it's been, and partly because my employer told me she would. the kids were out the day before thanksgiving, so i worked a full day. when i got my check, those 9 hours of work weren't in my check - she paid me as if i only worked 2.5 hours like a normal school day. i basically feel as if i was shorted 6.5 hours of work.
the mom told me that she would pay for thanksgiving holdiay whether i worked or not, and i said i would like to work for the extra hours. she said this would be fine. but then she didn't pay me for the extra hours i worked.
is this making sense?
i left her a note asking about it, and she has not responded. i don't know if i should press the issue or not. my mom is always telling me how i need to create a contract, and i've always told her it's not necessary, and now, of course, it's biting me in the a$s. yes, i know, mom always *does* know best!
:blushing: :grumble:
anyways, i'm pretty sure it isn't a money issue with them because they both already make bank and the mom just got a big promotion. i don't want to be petty, but i also don't want to start a new trend of not being paid for hours worked. anyone been here? what would you do?
i have been paid for thanksgiving holiday the past two years. so i kind of expected to have that again, partly because that's how it's been, and partly because my employer told me she would. the kids were out the day before thanksgiving, so i worked a full day. when i got my check, those 9 hours of work weren't in my check - she paid me as if i only worked 2.5 hours like a normal school day. i basically feel as if i was shorted 6.5 hours of work.
the mom told me that she would pay for thanksgiving holdiay whether i worked or not, and i said i would like to work for the extra hours. she said this would be fine. but then she didn't pay me for the extra hours i worked.
is this making sense?
i left her a note asking about it, and she has not responded. i don't know if i should press the issue or not. my mom is always telling me how i need to create a contract, and i've always told her it's not necessary, and now, of course, it's biting me in the a$s. yes, i know, mom always *does* know best!
:blushing: :grumble:anyways, i'm pretty sure it isn't a money issue with them because they both already make bank and the mom just got a big promotion. i don't want to be petty, but i also don't want to start a new trend of not being paid for hours worked. anyone been here? what would you do?
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Replies
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it was probably just an oversight during the otherwise (i'm sure) hectic holiday. If she doesnt respond to your note, meet with her in person and ask about it.
most likely, however, it was an accident and she'll make it right.0 -
politely approach her and explain it like you did to us. be straightforward and pleasant. it's proven that it's harder for people to avoid you and/or say no to you in person. good luck!0
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Don't be passive/aggressive on this. Confront her, tactfully, of course. Remind her that she has paid you for that time for previous years and that you worked the entire day and not just the 2.5 hours that she paid you for.0
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You have so many issues working for this family! I think I'd start looking for another job.
Regarding your question, though, definitely ask her about it in person.0 -
Give her time. If you addressed the situation then at least you have already opened the door to the conversation. If the hours are not on the next check then again address the situation. Its nice that they offer to pay you for the holiday if you dont work, but you DID work. She may have had other stuff on her brain.0
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money is money.. im sure she'll answer.0
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Press the issue but be professional and polite about it. It would be different if she said she would pay you whether or not you worked the hours and then you didn't work the extra hours but you did. She owes you the money. No matter how nice the family is to you it is still first and foremost a business situation. You need to be paid for your services. It is possible that is is just a human error and she wrote the check without the extra hours because that's what she does every week. She may not realize that there was a mistake.0
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Personally I would just act like she made a mistake and approach it that way. If she said she would pay you and she always has before then I would say it is a mistake. So if she hasn't responded, with as much innocent concern as you can muster up say, Hey I guess you didn't get my message but I think you accidently forgot to pay me for that time you said you would. I just wanted to let you know because Holidays are coming up and I already had plans for that holiday pay.0
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If you worked the 6.5 hours then you should be paid, I do not think there should be any question about that, and maybe it was just an oversight on her part. You may need to gently remind her of this.0
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As a professional you have the right to speak to your employer directly. It you don't speak up, they will try getting over on you in the future. I suggest you speak to the family about it.0
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i have been paid for thanksgiving holiday the past two years. so i kind of expected to have that again, partly because that's how it's been, and partly because my employer told me she would. the kids were out the day before thanksgiving, so i worked a full day. when i got my check, those 9 hours of work weren't in my check - she paid me as if i only worked 2.5 hours like a normal school day. i basically feel as if i was shorted 6.5 hours of work.
. . .
what would you do?
I'm not sure I have this straight. You typically work 2.5 hours/day after school watching these kids? The family has previously paid you for Thanksgiving (2.5 hours?) even though you did not work it? But this year, you watched the kids 9 hours last Wednesday, and only got paid for the usual 2.5 hours?
If I have that all straight, and assuming you are paid an hourly rate, then in your shoes, I would politely, but firmly ask to be paid for all 9 hours you worked on Wednesday.
If you were looking to be paid for Thursday even though you didn't work Thursday (based on previous years and informal conversation without a written contract), my opinion would be different, but I agree with your mom that you should get a written contract either way.
Good luck.0 -
You definitely should be paid for that.
Edit: I also think you need a written contract, WITH a witness signature, not just yours and hers.0 -
I would just ask her maybe she just forgot...0
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You have so many issues working for this family! I think I'd start looking for another job.
Regarding your question, though, definitely ask her about it in person.
i guess you have seen the slew of anti-nannying posts i've shared! i do b1tch a lot, but a big part of that is just my nature. :devil: :blushing:
they *really* are a great family to work with and i wouldn't trade them for anything - except a teaching job, of course. i have worked with some doozies before, and this family is the golden ticket. for the most part.0 -
just my thoughts....
Yes you should be paid for a full day for the day before thanksgiving. If she had a daycare center she'd pay for a whole day having a nanny isn't any different. And if you worked extra hours you should be paid ad well. If you asked for the hours and she didn't want to pay you, then she shouldn't have had you work any extra hours.
And yes, you should have a contract. Maybe you could get one together for the start of next year. And it can be as easy as just explaining that you don't want to have any questions about getting paid or time off ect. next year. This way you all can have a good working relationship without any resentments.
Good Luck!0 -
I was a nanny many years ago, and learned the hard way that verbal agreements aren't a good idea. People forget that what they said, and even generous people have their stingy days. For the hours you didn't get paid for but worked, I would definiely press the issue. And follow your mom's advice and get it all in writing as a contract.0
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i guess you have seen the slew of anti-nannying posts i've shared! i do b1tch a lot, but a big part of that is just my nature. :devil: :blushing:
they *really* are a great family to work with and i wouldn't trade them for anything - except a teaching job, of course. i have worked with some doozies before, and this family is the golden ticket. for the most part.
Well, then I'd give her the benefit of the doubt that it was just an oversight, but talk to her in person about it.0 -
If it's only been a short time since you left the note and you haven't spoken to her since, I would first just wait and see what happens the next time you talk -- and mention it if she doesn't. It's possible it was an oversight and she'll correct it once she's aware.0
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thank you for all of your responses - sometimes i really feel like i'm getting paid to do nothing because i love the kids so much, so when situations like this come up (few and far between) i always wonder if i should just count my blessings and forget about it or make a polite and good-natured stink.
i think i will broach the subject of a contract starting january 1.
edited for a typo.0 -
I would tell her. It may be a harmless oversight.
This is totally unrelated, but I remember about 10 years ago, i needed a buck for a vending machine and I turned to a co-worker and asked if I could borrow a buck. He said, "I wouldn't mind, but you never paid me back the buck you borrowed from me a couple months ago."
I felt like hell and he felt like he couldn't bring it up. He felt I had taken advantage of him. I didn't even remember borrowing a buck from him.
If you're friends with this person, bring it up. It could be a simple misunderstanding or oversight. You're owed the money.0 -
You have so many issues working for this family! I think I'd start looking for another job.
Regarding your question, though, definitely ask her about it in person.
how does a single paycheck error lead you to conclude "so many issues"?0 -
You have so many issues working for this family! I think I'd start looking for another job.
Regarding your question, though, definitely ask her about it in person.
how does a single paycheck error lead you to conclude "so many issues"?
The OP has posted topics about issues with this family before. She understood that and already replied to me.0 -
You have so many issues working for this family! I think I'd start looking for another job.
Regarding your question, though, definitely ask her about it in person.
how does a single paycheck error lead you to conclude "so many issues"?
trust me - macpatti knows her stuff - she's seen a lot of my vomiting up of nannying/lost coats/homework/days off/helicopter-parent type posts on here - she's not being snarky - she just has an excellent memory! :flowerforyou:0 -
Personally I would just act like she made a mistake and approach it that way. If she said she would pay you and she always has before then I would say it is a mistake. So if she hasn't responded, with as much innocent concern as you can muster up say, Hey I guess you didn't get my message but I think you accidently forgot to pay me for that time you said you would.
^^ This. I've been in the same predicament that you're in, with a piano student, and handled it just this way. I got my money and no one got their feathers ruffled. This may all be moot -- she'll probably respond that it was a mistake.0 -
Never be afraid to ask for the money you have earned. You are a valuable asset to this family since a great nanny is just as much a golden ticket as a great nannying job. The problem with such jobs is the informality and face-to-face aspect. You can't just call someone you don't know at Human Resources to complain. Speak up, but be professional and polite.0
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trust me - macpatti knows her stuff - she's seen a lot of my vomiting up of nannying/lost coats/homework/days off/helicopter-parent type posts on here - she's not being snarky - she just has an excellent memory! :flowerforyou:
I actually thought of you this weekend when "we" finsihed "our" science fair projects!0 -
Yes, have a quick chat with the mom face-to-face... Then definitely (later on) bring up the idea of a written agreement of sorts for 2012. Just explain it is to protect you and her...0
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I'm sure she really appreciates all you do. It's most likely an oversight. I missed how you notified her about it-by voicemail or handwritten note? Possible she didn't get it? I would try again to speak with her. If it were me, I'd be mortified and embarrassed I accidentally shorted my nanny and would fix it right away.0
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You've gotten some great advice here. I agree with them all pretty much. You've left a note, if she doesn't respond, ask nicely in person. She probably just forgot. That said, I would ask about the contract January 1, too, IF you think they'll go for it. Some people are touchy and if you really like the job and need the paycheck, you might not want to rock the boat. Especially if she pays you for the hours with no problem.0
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Right is right and wrong is wrong if she said that she would pay you for the holiday then she owes you for the holiday. What did you say in the note? Was it a nuge or statement of fact. If it was a nuge you might want to write another note explaining that you were counting on her paying you as you had originally agreed. If it was a statement of fact you need to tell her face to face. Just my opinion I have the tendency to let things go which will like you mother alluded to only bit you in the &** .0
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