Break a Leg
Written by mv Sunday, 08 November 2009 01:59
Au pairs get sick and have accidents, just like all of us. But what if the au pair will not be able to work for a prolonged period of time?
Read about the tough spot that Angel is in with her au pair.
I usually work from home, my office in the basement. Yesterday I heard a loud bump like noise out of the family room upstairs. I found my au pair on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. Cynthia had slipped with my 1.5 year old in her right arm. My au pair was clearly in severe pain. Thankfully, the baby was fine. I had to rush her to the hospital, after exams and x-rays it turns out that she has a complicated fracture in her lower right leg near the ankle. Her lower leg and foot was put into a temporary cast with the top of the leg and foot just covered by bandage type material.
The doctors are not sure if they need to operate and insert steel rods so that the fracture gets properly supported and can heal correctly.
My sisters brother-in-law had a similar fracture, it took surgery and 2.5 months for him to be able to go back to work. And that throws me for a loop. I have to work during the week, sure it’s from my home mostly, I don’t have to do to the office that much. Therefore it is important that I have reliable childcare for my 4 kids, ages 1.5 – 7. And I cannot take off work for a whole 2.5 months. Sure I could manage 1 or maybe 2 weeks, work a little from home in the evenings, I think that I could make it work.
Cynthia has been excellent with the kids. She has worked for over 2 years in a Kindergarten. We have been more than happy with her as far as childcare goes.
But I need childcare urgently. What do I do? Anybody out there with a similar experience and solutions?
Comments
Great au pairs with that much of childcare experience, AND that can handle 4 small kids are hard to come by. I would try to hang on to her, if at all possible.
I would ask the LCC if there is an in-country au pair that has experience handling several kids at the same time. And then seriously considering that girl.
Maybe the current au pair could find a temporary home. There could be a good hearted lady out there that doesn't mind putting her up for a while, and then Cynthia could find another host family.
See, if that could be an option.
That way it would be a win-win situation. The au pair isn't forced to go home and Angel has a pretty quick fix for her problem.
Best wishes,
Patsy
I hope everything works out well!
Did this accident happen whilst your Au Pair was ‘on duty’? I've been twice working as an Au Pair (in Norway and Finland) and if I'd been forced to leave my host family because of an accident happening during my working time, I'd definitely feel unfairly treated. (According to the Finnish and Norwegian labour laws it’d be, by the way, also illegal to fire someone because of that. But as I stated earlier, I’m neither familiar with American standards / legislation nor special Au Pair rules).
I am a bit shocked that the previous posts are primarily discussing the pros and cons of replacing her in terms of her special expertise and that she’s a perfect match for your family. I’d feel personally responsible for her – she didn’t do this on purpose and, as far as I understood, she felt whilst she was working. Replacing her without giving her the opportunity to continue working after she recovered would cut across my personal beliefs (even if the legislation / Au Pair agreements would open for such an approach). Even the possibility of asking her to take her two-weeks’ vacation during this period is, in my opinion, not appropriate. But I may have grown up in a different culture concerning labour laws and rights.
I am, however, not 19 anymore and do also understand your situation. I liked the suggestions about hiring a nanny or asking family members to help out. Did you speak with her? What are her suggestions for dealing with that situation?
Angel is probably better off with getting a re-match au pair and let Cynthia go into another host family once she is able to move around and take care of kids. Maybe a family with older, school age kids, where she doesn't have to be physically active as much.
There is a solution out there for Angel. She'll just have to see what would work for her.
You said it might be difficult on your end, but what about your husband? Can he take a little time off or rearrange his schedule a bit?
cuz first of all cynthia is not only an employee that you can replace, she is living with you guys like a member of the family, she is not like something that can be replace just like a broken plate, you need to speak with her cuz if she is working with you is because she needs it and not because is a hobby, she needs it so, sending her home will stop all what she has planned to do in this year, i know that you need the help, but she also has an oppinion and deserves to be heard. please talk with her and get in to the best solution together.