How to ask for time off as a nanny
There’s a constructive way to ask for time off as a nanny, which respects both your and your family’s time.
The holidays are coming up, and it’s common for employees to request time off for travel or to see family. As a nanny, you know how vital it is for you to show up on schedule and be reliable for your family, so asking for time off can feel tricky.
But don’t worry—we’ve rounded up a few tricks that will make taking this time off a breeze this holiday season, and that will leave you and your family excited to see each other again on the other side.
1. Give advance notice when requesting time off
Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly which days you’ll want to be away or when you can get a ticket to go see your family in the holiday rush. In a corporate job, this may be less of an issue as meetings may wind down pre-holidays or there’s some flexibility on working remotely.
As a nanny however, you know that your families are mega busy this time of year and that this isn’t a job you can do from home. So the more advance notice you can give, the better.
Introduce the idea of taking time off early in the fall, even if you don’t have the dates yet.
Let your employers know about how much time you’re hoping to take and approximately when.
Then, try to nail down the dates as soon as you can, so that everyone can plan accordingly.
A bonus benefit of this? Ticket prices typically increase around the holidays, and by booking early, you have the chance to get the best deals! Even if you are working as a babysitter and your schedule isn’t completely regular with a family, giving them a heads up that you will be away is a kind, respectful gesture that they will remember when they are looking for a reliable sitter on the other side of the holiday season.
2. Maintain open communication about time off
As with everything else, the key to a smooth working relationship is clear and open communication. Discuss taking time off at an appropriate time, when the kids aren’t hungry or the parent has one foot out the door. Mention that you want to talk about time off and ask if there’s a good time for you all to chat through it. Be respectful of their needs around the holidays and see how you can both give and take based on your ideal scenarios.
If your agreement states that you will take some of your paid time off when the family is also off, be sure to coordinate this well in advance.
3. Make sure PTO is in your nanny contract
Speaking of paid time off, PTO is a detail that should definitely be mentioned in your nanny job contract. It is not uncommon for parents to ask for an overlap of your time off and theirs, so that some of your PTO days will automatically be used when the family is away. This is a great opportunity to adjust your trips accordingly and head out of town guilt-free.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it a hundred times more: make sure you have a solid nanny contract. By having everything agreed upon and written down at the start of a working relationship, you never have to wonder what your employers are thinking or expecting, and it’s great to be able to refer back to the contract in case anything is unclear.
4. Leave a little space for grace about time off
The holidays are stressful for everyone. Your nanny family is probably trying to make plans of their own and coordinate trips and family members and schedules on their end, just like you are. While you have a right to take time off and enjoy your holidays, being adamant about your schedule and needs isn’t going to do anyone any favors. Extend a bit of grace, be flexible where you can and open to rearranging your schedule where possible if it helps them have a less stressful season.
Maybe it means one day less for you with your great-aunt Magda this time around, but being flexible can pay off the next time you want to go home or travel, or even just in the bonus envelope. Plus, a little generosity seems appropriate for the holidays, doesn’t it?
Our nanny agency can help with time off
If you find it tricky to navigate employment details like asking for time off or making sure you have a solid nanny contract, find a nanny agency to steer you right.
As a New York nanny agency who helps nannies and families around the country, we know how to iron out details and have difficult conversations where both parties feel respected and appreciated. We’ve helped facilitate thousands of happy nanny-family matches throughout the years.
We only work with the best caregivers—if that’s you, we’d love to help you too. For more tips and tricks about the nanny profession, sign up for our newsletter - or keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for the latest from our team.