Friday, February 10, 2006
The Snow is Coming...
Forecasters are calling for a major snow event on the East Coast for later this weekend. Does your nanny commute to your home (live out or come and go)? If so, how do you deal with weather emergencies in your work agreement?
Our pro-forma work agreement offers the following suggested wording:
BAD WEATHER DAYS
It is understood that certain days throughout the winter months will likely be inclement and it may not be safe to drive to work. On days where it is anticipated that you may have difficulty getting to work, you agree to spend the night at our house. A separate bedroom and bath will be available to you. You are also welcome to spend any night with us when the weather becomes inclement during the day and you have any concern about arriving home safely. In the event that you are unable to get to work due to unanticipated inclement weather, those days will be [paid] [unpaid].
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Of course, this doesn't work for everyone. What about the nanny who has her own family to care for? Or the day when you are really really late because the weather caught you by surprise? The single-parent home where the parent is on-call for emergencies? The myriad possibilites boggle the mind. The nature of the agreement isn't really what is important. What matters is that the nanny and family have had a discussion on how to deal with these circumstances in advance of a crisis and memoralized the agreement in the written work agreement. Communication and mutual good will are the two most important important factors to a successful, long term nanny:family relationship.
Forecasters are calling for a major snow event on the East Coast for later this weekend. Does your nanny commute to your home (live out or come and go)? If so, how do you deal with weather emergencies in your work agreement?
Our pro-forma work agreement offers the following suggested wording:
BAD WEATHER DAYS
It is understood that certain days throughout the winter months will likely be inclement and it may not be safe to drive to work. On days where it is anticipated that you may have difficulty getting to work, you agree to spend the night at our house. A separate bedroom and bath will be available to you. You are also welcome to spend any night with us when the weather becomes inclement during the day and you have any concern about arriving home safely. In the event that you are unable to get to work due to unanticipated inclement weather, those days will be [paid] [unpaid].
------
Of course, this doesn't work for everyone. What about the nanny who has her own family to care for? Or the day when you are really really late because the weather caught you by surprise? The single-parent home where the parent is on-call for emergencies? The myriad possibilites boggle the mind. The nature of the agreement isn't really what is important. What matters is that the nanny and family have had a discussion on how to deal with these circumstances in advance of a crisis and memoralized the agreement in the written work agreement. Communication and mutual good will are the two most important important factors to a successful, long term nanny:family relationship.
