Today’s Wall Street Journal blog, the Juggle, talked about Manhattan employees who were looking forward to getting snowed in at work so they could stay and play in the city. The writer was asking readers if they ever relished the opportunity to stay late at work to avoid the chores and stress of home life? This reminded me of nanny employers I’ve know throughout the years who use “little white lies” to carve out more personal time for themselves.
Employers who say they have to stay late because of one reason – the reason that gets their nanny to stay, but really extend their night because of another reason – the one that would have their nanny not so happy about the extra hours. Parents who say they have to make an appearance at a client meeting but instead go out for cocktails with friends. Or who say they have to stay and work on a project but instead have an hour long in-office massage. Or, and this has always been my favorite, moms who say they just need 15 minutes to run a quick errand and then show up an hour and a half later with a beautiful new manicure.
Now I’m not begrudging parents a fun night out with friends, a massage or the perfect manicure. I’ve often encouraged my overworked employers to take some additional “me” time while I cover the kids. And yes, I fully recognize that they are the employer and don’t need to justify how they spend their time to their nanny. But where is the accountability line when the nanny is going out of her way to provide extra coverage for her employers? Nannies, parents, what do you think?
All About Nanny Care 