Hot tips: Babysitters & nannies resigning from a position
Perhaps you have got a better offer, perhaps you are returning to study, going travelling, entering a new career or need to take a break. Either way when you decide to resign from your nanny or babysitting job it needs to be done at the right time and in the right way.
Of course resigning from a casual babysitting job is different from resigning from a full time nanny position for the simple reasons that your employer probably has more invested in terms of need to rearrange their life if the full time nanny is resigning. Therefore much of the information below may relate mainly to nannies.
However that being said the important thing to remember is whether you are a babysitter or nann, do not leave on bad terms for the simple reason that later on down the
track you may need to contact this family to get a reference and lets
face it. it would be nice for this reference to be willingly provided
and to be glowing.
Some things you may want to remember:
Before you resign
Before you resign think carefully about whether leaving this position is what you really want. If you are not taking up another position be sure that you have enough
income to sustain you while you look for another job. It's
generally harder to get a job when you are not currently working.
If you are returning to study or for personal reasons need to decrease your hours, it may be worth having a chat with your employer about possible alternative arrangesments they can make. For example your employer may be willing to consider a combination of childcare arrangements i.e combining your services at reduced hours, with relatives and/or day care. They may even be willing to consider a job share arrangement. For example if you have a friend who you can suggest can do the job share with you. Your employer will of course have to ensure that the other nanny is suitable and fits their needs and qualifications/experience requirements.
Resigning
Give appropriate notice: Generally the notice period matches your pay cycle. This means if you get paid monthly then your notice period will be monthly. If you have a work contract it will usually state the notice period you need to give. However depending on your relationship with your employer and your personal circumstances you may decide that you want to give them a little more notice, especially if you are a full time nanny. Quality and appropriate childcare can often take weeks to find and you don't want your employer feeling angry and upset as they just can't find suitable childcare.
Expect your employer to be upset: If you are a nanny don't be surprised if your employer gets upset when you resign. Look at it from their point of view. They trust you and are used to you. More importantly their children trust you and are used to you and your resignation now means that their lives are thrown into turmoil until they renegotiate new childcare and housecare arrangements. Your employer may also feel a little like you are rejecting them, this is especially true if you have become a defacto part of the family invited to christenings and birthdays etc.
It is not your responsbility to manage your employers possible upset or anger at your departure. However you can go some way towards helping to minimise it by some simple strategies. Do you know someone suitable looking for nannying work that you could perhaps refer your employer to? Even though you are leaving the nannying position are you perhaps still available for occassional babysitting work and could offer your services here?
Confirm the date and time when you are leaving
Hand over possessions: Ensure on the last day you hand over all relevant possessions to your employer you may have been given during the duration of your employment for example keys ,car booster seats etc.
