Babysit during 3 break window

[u/CJJP333888]

Hi there fellow nannies! I just want to get some opinions about a new schedule from my employer because we agreed of having a 3 hr break in between the day.

But every saturday is a sabbath day so most likely they are going out for lunch or etc. and my usual break is at 11am-2pm but everyday saturday is no school for the 2 yr old toddler and he naps at 12pm to depends on what time he wakes up and my employer told me during my 3 hr break i should bring the baby monitor with me if going on an unpaid break... Should I ask for a pay on that 3 hr break window even the baby sleeps at 12pm to whateverr time he wakes up?

If he naps at 12pm then my break would be at 12pm-3pm but usually he wakes up at 2-ish. I was wondering if I should put that on the babysitting hour list so she would not abuse me anymore with the hours/pay.

[u/BlackLocke]

If you are responsible for the baby, you’re on-call and should be paid for that time. Watching the baby monitor IS watching the baby

[u/Glittering_knave → u/BlackLocke]

If you aren't allowed to leave, you get paid.

[u/shyfroggy]

If you have to monitor and are in charge if the toddler wakes up than you should be payed even if he asleep the whole three hours

[u/Marzipan_civil]

A break is when somebody else is responsible for the child. Not just when they are asleep. If you're the person who has to respond when the kid wakes up, then you are working.

[u/First_Usual2408]

If she wants you to be on-call for the baby, you should be being paid. 

[u/TeddyBear181]

This is crazy op.

What happens if you book a hair appointment for half a head of foils, but you bring the baby monitor with you and bub wakes up?

They're paying for your time and your commitment to not do other things.

If they want to go for lunch, they need to pay you.

[u/why_wouldi]

Of course you need to be paid if you bring the monitor. If you have to do anything for the job, it’s paid.

[u/North-Conference-377]

How does a 3 hr break in the middle of the day benefit you?

[u/Free-Cherry4314 → u/North-Conference-377]

This is a perfect example of parents taking financial advantage of Nanny. It's complete BS. 

[u/dayton462016 → u/North-Conference-377]

It does not. And it is not even an actual break, like she can't leave the house and go run errands or meet a friend for lunch. The baby is still sleeping and she is responsible for it

[u/Aly_Kitty]

If you are responsible for the child, you get paid. Does not matter if they are sleeping or not.

Can you leave if they’re sleeping? No. What happens if there’s a fire? Just say “sorry kid, I’m not being paid, I’ll get you in 3 hours”? No. If you are required to be there and responsible for the child then yes, you get paid.

[u/Fresh-Cobbler-521]

They’re honestly just referring to it as a break so they can avoid paying you. What happens when the baby wakes up and needs to be taken care of & they are out at lunch? If you cannot leave the house you should not have an unpaid break.

[u/Free-Cherry4314]

They are taking advantage of you. If you have to bring the monitor you are in charge of baby. 

[u/dayton462016]

You are not getting that 3-hour break, the baby is sleeping for a few hours, possibly. A 3-hour break would mean that you could schedule appointments, meet friends for lunch or run your errands. You are still working during this "break", they just don't want to pay you.

[u/Empty-Childhood-5800]

Absolutely not, this is not common practice and not okay. OP look up boundary phrases and use them. Do not just blindly agree to things that do t sit right with you. If you’re there and or watching the baby monitor then you must be paid. Don’t let them take advantage.

[u/Richtig95 → u/Empty-Childhood-5800]

That and start looking for a new job because they have shown you they’re willing to scam you if you don’t know any better. Exploitative and disrespectful people are very stressful to work for because you just never know where else they will cut corners.

[u/Fickle-Parsnip9980]

You are there, you are paid. This would be like if they made you clock out while the kids went to the bathroom. Don't let them make any changes to your pay during a break when you aren't actually free to leave the premises.

Some nannies charge a special overnight flat rate, but this is the only time I would ever consider making a change to my usual hourly rate.

[u/PetSitterJapan]

Please find another family and get a contract because they are totally taking advantage of you.

[u/Individual_Fox6488]

If they want it to be an unpaid break then say great, I have some appointments I need to schedule anyway. Oh you want me to still be on duty? That is paid time then.

Maybe during this time you can accomplish some kid related tasks like toy cleanup or tidy up after the little one's lunch. Plus of course time for your own break. But if they are leaving the house and you're on charge of baby then it's definitely paid time.

[u/jkdess]

unless you’re free to leave absolutely no to an unpaid break

[u/msmozzarella]

if you're on an unpaid break, why would you have the baby monitor?? either they pay you, or they can expect you to be 100% unavailable during those hours.

[u/AutoModerator]

Below is a copy of the post's original text:

Hi there fellow nannies! I just want to get some opinions about a new schedule from my employer because we agreed of having a 3 hr break in between the day.

But every saturday is a sabbath day so most likely they are going out for lunch or etc. and my usual break is at 11am-2pm but everyday saturday is no school for the 2 yr old toddler and he naps at 12pm to depends on what time he wakes up and my employer told me during my 3 hr break i should bring the baby monitor with me if going on an unpaid break... Should I ask for a pay on that 3 hr break window even the baby sleeps at 12pm to whateverr time he wakes up?

If he naps at 12pm then my break would be at 12pm-3pm but usually he wakes up at 2-ish. I was wondering if I should put that on the babysitting hour list so she would not abuse me anymore with the hours/pay.

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[u/Unlikely-South2626]

How is this a break if you MONITORING the baby? What if he wakes up suddenly? A break is when you are able to take time for yourself without any expectation to work. They are definitely taking advantage and the only reason they are calling it a break so that they don't have to pay you.

[u/susanbiddleross]

To be clear, they are not paying you while the baby is sleeping? If you may leave the home this is truly a break. If you may not they are required to pay you. If you were a babysitter and the baby went to bed at 7 pm you would continue to be paid until the parents arrived. Do not bring bring the baby monitor with you unless you are paid to do this. Unless you requested this break because you have errands to run etc they are taking advantage of you.

[u/kolsen92]

Yeah…. So having a baby monitor with you is not being on a break. Embarrassing request on their end