Need Major Advice About My Assistant

[amberrose3dg]

I want some feedback as my assistant thinks I'm being unfair and not understanding with her recent call offs. There have been a lot and I feel that in this job being reliable is number one. You do not call off each time you feel a little off.

She was hired in the middle of October and was excellent with showing up on time and doing a good job until January.
I was closed January 1st and second. She only had to work 3 days the first week of January.
Second week she called off Wednesday the 10th and the 11th. No real illness diagnosed and did come with a drs note.
The following week she called off Wednesday for snow on the 17th. ( it wasn't bad i was still open) Friday the 19th she claimed to have a stomach bug.
I ended up with pneumonia and was hospitalized the following week and was closed for 3 days. I reopened Thursday and Friday she worked and only had two children in care those days as parents wanted to give me a break.
Monday she comes in to work and works a normal full day. Tuesday calls off at 710am when i had to be at my sons school that day and she was scheduled to be here at 745. Her stomach bothered her. Then says she also needs Wednesday to rest and her dr thinks she isnt getting enough time to rest. Promised to be here today and texts me 10 minutes before her shift shes being tested for the flu. No surprise that and strep throat come back negative.
So in all this time off nothing really wrong. No flu, strep, etc...
Ladies please tell me being extremely upset and wanting to let her go is the right response. I am an understanding person but this is now 6 sick days and 1 snow since January 10th . Basically in 3 weeks she has missed 7 days when there was 17 work days. This is even counting the day off for martin luther king and my sick days which she did not work so if you are technical she has only worked 13 and called off 7.
She is going into a rant how she is really sick and not sure what is going on and at her last job they only give you 1 point if you missed more than 3 of 4 days in a row.
I do not know any job that would of let me call off this much in 3 weeks and still have a job. The drs notes are a moot point because she didnt have an illness just her crazy self going and getting one.( I am starting to think it is a mental issue)
I told her she could come back on Monday but if she calls off at all for anything other than a seriously illness I will terminate immediately. I do not even want to give her that but I know she will fail and I will fire her.

[Ariana]

I would terminate immediately. Even if she is really this sick this much it is not your problem to support her in her recovery. It is your job to support yourself and your business. She needs a different employer.

[daycarediva]

Nope. No way. She isn't reliable enough to work in this field.

[mamamanda]

If it were me I would have to let her go. Reliability is essential in this business. Does her absence throw off your ratios? That's just one of many concerns I'd have.

Do you think she could possibly be pregnant & afraid to tell you? That's the only time I have ever called off frequently (had serious health concerns) & that was my first thought with her stomach problems. Not that it would change the outcome, but at least it would make more sense if something is really going on.

I think you're justified in letting her go.

[amberrose3dg]

Nope. No way. She isn't reliable enough to work in this field.

Thanks that is what I thought. I point blank told her my parents would all leave if i closed as much as she has called off. I have ratios to meet. I had to send two infants home today because I had no help. My oldest can sub from time to time but has to work a 12 hour shift. I can guarantee they will be looking for another daycare. I have never taken that much time off sick in a year let alone a 3 week period. She has not worked a week straight since Christmas.

[daycarediva]

Thanks that is what I thought. I point blank told her my parents would all leave if i closed as much as she has called off. I have ratios to meet. I had to send two infants home today because I had no help. My oldest can sub from time to time but has to work a 12 hour shift. I can guarantee they will be looking for another daycare. I have never taken that much time off sick in a year let alone a 3 week period. She has not worked a week straight since Christmas.

I would explain the situation to your daycare parents, and if you ARE replacing her, tell them your plan. If you aren't, I would be giving her AND my families notice at the same time.

That stinks!!!

[mamamanda]

I would explain the situation to your daycare parents, and if you ARE replacing her, tell them your plan. If you aren't, I would be giving her AND my families notice at the same time.

That stinks!!!

Yes!!! I'd explain to my families & possibly consider a payment adjustment for the week in an effort to smooth things over. Let them know your plans so you don't lose them.

[CityGarden]

I would let her go. I would not allow her "sick days"or doctor visits come into the conversation.

It would simply be....

"Per licensing my needs are an assistant every scheduled day and when I fall below that, it is putting both my license and the success of my business in jeopardy. This is something I am not able or willing to do. At this time I will no longer need your assistance as I need to find someone who is able to meet my needs. Her is your check for the last week of your services. I would rather you not list me as an employment reference."

[Cat Herder]

I have not taken 6 sick days in my entire career. You are not being unfair.

[Cat Herder]

So she made it through the 90 day new hire period, earns at least minimum wage and is heading to termination "through no fault of her own" in West Virginia?

http://www.wvcommerce.org/app_media/assets/doc/businessandworkforce/workforcewv/unemploymentcompensation/UC_Benefits_Poster.pdf

Has she has unemployment benefits before?

[LostMyMarbles]

Well, I think you know what you need to do to run a successful business and just want reinsurance. So you got it. Fire her. I bet there is someone out there who would like to work for you. ( if you are giving that much time off, sign me up!) You are running a business and there is usually a 90 day probationary period in most places. Poor attendance is grounds for termination. (Unless it is a child and you get paid anyways )

FIRE AWAY

[amberrose3dg]

Well, I think you know what you need to do to run a successful business and just want reinsurance. So you got it. Fire her. I bet there is someone out there who would like to work for you. ( if you are giving that much time off, sign me up!) You are running a business and there is usually a 90 day probationary period in most places. Poor attendance is grounds for termination. (Unless it is a child and you get paid anyways )

FIRE AWAY

Thanks.
One of my daycare parents recommended her neighbor a stay at home mom(kids are in school). I also have had several resumes since posting a job listing on indeed today.::
Of course the kids are being real difficult today. So glad it is almost Friday.

[storybookending]

This is not acceptable. I would be terminating now rather than giving her yet another chance. You have state regs and regulations to comply with. I would be looking to replace immediately or looking at dropping your numbers and not having an assistant at all. I’ve never called off any job that many days ever, let alone in one month.

[BrynleeJean]

I would let her go. I would not allow her "sick days"or doctor visits come into the conversation.

It would simply be....

"Per licensing my needs are an assistant every scheduled day and when I fall below that, it is putting both my license and the success of my business in jeopardy. This is something I am not able or willing to do. At this time I will no longer need your assistance as I need to find someone who is able to meet my needs. Her is your check for the last week of your services. I would rather you not list me as an employment reference."

HERE HERE!
and id also be worried about meeting teacher child ratios. This would bring up "do you have a good backup care provider in case your assistant calls in?" this is actually i career route I'm thinking of taking in my home daycare, assistant and all and THIS IS EXACTLY what I'm afraid of. The ones who just don't seem to want to show up to work..

[amberrose3dg]

This is not acceptable. I would be terminating now rather than giving her yet another chance. You have state regs and regulations to comply with. I would be looking to replace immediately or looking at dropping your numbers and not having an assistant at all. I’ve never called off any job that many days ever, let alone in one month.

That's the thing it is not acceptable. That is why I was like wtf when she was explaining herself and trying to come out like I am the one in the wrong. "I do not want to come to work and get the infants sick with the flu" She knew didn't have no flu. I kid you not the Friday she called off for stomach bug one of the infants puked. It was at the end of the day and he was fine he didn't puke again here or at home. The next day she has the stomach bug.