Member Articles

Michele - Thanks for your input, and obviously I agree whole-heartedly! Your last question is a good one: If you don't like paying her these things, is it a sign you have the wrong person?

Your question is the flip side of the one I asked in the article: If you are positive you have the right person, why would you deny her the normal perks of a job? And not just any job. This person is helping to raise your children, arguably one of the most important jobs out there.

Deneen - I can't think of the number of times I've worked when I've been feeling under the weather. I figure that most of the bugs I get, I've caught from the kids, anyway! Most caregivers I've known do that. There are all sorts of ways you give and take, and yes, accommodations should be made both ways. Having said that, however, if a caregiver wakes at 5 in the morning and has to race to the toilet to puke? She should be able to get that day off with pay -- even without notice to the parents.

Beth - When is it too much? It depends on the circumstances. If the provider has ten more years work experience than a parent, then she's earned more benefits. If she works in a blue-collar neighbourhood where no one gets more than a week's holiday, she can't reasonably take four.

The thing about being self-employed is that if you don't work, you don't get paid-- unless it's specifically contracted in. Further, if you annoy/inconvenience your clientele enough, you'll lose business, as your caregiver is losing you. It may be that losing you will cause her to reconsider her days off, or it may be that there are enough other people who don't find it an inconvenience that she will be able to keep her time off as is. That would be just the normal pressures of a free market!

Yes, it would be a nice gesture for her to provide a list of possible back-up care. As you note, childcare is the parent's responsibility, but it's a nice, professional touch. When I had caregiver friends, I used to do that for my parents, even though few of my parents ever used them, preferring to take holidays at the same time as me, or to make their own arrangements. In recent years my caregiver friends have burned out/changed careers, so I don't have any referrals to give. At the moment, I have no caregiver friends. (Teachers, doctors, a police officer, a vet, a couple of designers ... but no caregivers!)

I agree that childcare providers should receive paid days off, but when is too much, too much? My current daycare provider (in-home) receives 2 weeks paid vacation, 12 sick/personal days, plus she takes off 1 week at christmas unpaid. I on the other hand get a total of 15 days vacation/sick/personal days. I think what kills me the most is that she takes the 2 weeks straight. I am currently switching to a center due to these conditions. I think the 2 weeks vacation is a good amount and would not mind but to be taken all at once? I do think the 12 sick/personal days is alot. The other issue is if you take this much time, wouldn't you give you parents names of other providers you may know who might be willing to take on one or two kids during you vacation at a discount (maybe one of their regular kids is on vacation). So if you plan on having vacation, get together with your care giver friends and see so it is not such a hardship for the parents. I know alot of people would say it is the responsibilty of the parent, but if youwork in a business you still need to get the work done even when on vacation and if you can't you would have other emloyees do it...