What is your protocol when baby gets a mild illness (ie a cold)?
My part time nanny and I have a casual agreement (in writing, but not really a contract) that I give her a certain amount of sick time, PTO, raises, etc., but never stipulated what the protocol would be when my kid is the one who is sick. She has another job, and I completely understand her being wary of coming in when there’s sickness in the house (especially if it’s something serious — I don’t want her getting very ill on my account). But I’m not really sure what the arrangement should be so it’s fair for both parties. I was a nanny for years, and never stopped coming in when my nanny kid was sick (I actually kept coming in when one of the parents had mpox, illness just doesn’t really freak me out) but I remember being frustrated that I was getting colds and stomach bugs all the time.
Anyways, on Monday my kid was sick (he had been 24 hrs without a fever and on the tail end of it) but since I felt myself getting sick too, I told her she could stay home (unpaid). On Tuesday he went to daycare and I went to work, he had a little lingering cough but no problems. Today (Wednesday) she came in like normal and told me later in the morning that he was super congested and generally still ill — not in an accusatory way, just letting me know what was going on. I feel badly that I put her at risk of getting sick (even if accidentally), but I also can’t realistically be away from work that much every time he has a cold. I also feel bad when she is out of work for a day, but I can’t afford to pay her every time she’s not coming in if it means I’m also missing a day of work.
I threw her some extra money for the day after she left, and told her I would do so in the future if she came in when baby is sick, but that’s really all I can afford to do. Is that enough? Money is really tight and she’s not a career nanny, just a kid trying to make some money while she pursues other things, but it matters to me that I treat her well. I’m a new parent and have never been on this side of the arrangement.