We were absolutely floored by a recent article in the Vancouver Sun about a family suing their nanny for quitting! This situation is wild, and we had to share our reaction with you.
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Here’s the gist: A Vancouver couple is taking their former nanny to court because she quit earlier than they expected. They claim they had an agreement for her to work until December, but she quit in October, leaving them scrambling for childcare. They’re alleging financial damage due to lost work time and even going after her for “egregious disregard” for their children’s well-being. Seriously?
Let’s break down why this is so crazy to us:
- First of all, they were paying her $20 an hour! The minimum wage in the province of British Columbia is $17.40 an hour. At The Nanny Solution, we haven’t placed a full-time nanny for less than $30 an hour in over 5 years. It’s 2024, and expecting to hire (and keep!) a qualified, trustworthy nanny for $20 an hour in an expensive city like Vancouver is completely unrealistic.
- Secondly, suing her for quitting is just wrong. Nannies, like most employees, have the right to quit their jobs. While reasonable notice is generally expected and appreciated, sometimes life happens, and employees decide to leave their jobs sooner.
- Thirdly, the “egregious disregard” claim is ridiculous. We don’t know the full story or why the nanny quit. To assume she doesn’t care about the children simply because she quit is a huge leap in judgment.
Here’s what REALLY blows our minds: The father is a lawyer with a history of suing people! He seems to love taking people to court, wasting their time and money. This makes the whole situation even more suspect.
What can we learn from this mess?
- Nannies: Understand your contracts, communicate openly with families, and give as much notice as possible when leaving a position.
- Parents: Pay your nannies fairly, treat them respectfully, and have a backup plan!
Ultimately, you want a nanny who wants to be there. If a nanny leaves suddenly, they probably weren’t the right fit, and you’re better off finding someone new.
This whole situation highlights the challenges of finding and keeping quality childcare. Suing each other isn’t the answer.
We need to foster better communication and mutual respect between nannies and families.
For more resources or personalized assistance in your nanny search in Canada, visit The Nanny Solution. Let us help you find the perfect nanny to support your family’s unique needs and lifestyle.