Firing a caregiver is not always easy. I hear from so many managers in the workplace that one of the things they most dislike about their jobs is letting people go. It isn’t easy at work and it becomes even more difficult when the person has been in your home and a part of your family. It’s similar to a personal relationship going sour.
If you have decided to let your caregiver go, here are some tips:
End on a caring note:
- Try to end on a good note if you’ve given her some notice that you will be looking for other care solutions. If little things had been bugging you, but the primary reason was that you’ve decided a live-in nanny is not the way to go, then just tell her that a live-in nanny isn’t a good fit for your family and you are considering other options. There’s no need to go into the details since you wouldn’t want her to be negative in her remaining weeks. Make it a pleasant goodbye for your family members who are receiving the care.
- If a caregiver has been with your family for a long time (a year or more), you may want to consider giving them some notice that you are thinking about different care options. Typically 2 weeks notice is standard.
- You may want to even consider giving them additional pay of 1-2 weeks after they leave.
- And for caregivers who have given you great service, but your kids may be moving on to kindergarten or your parents are going into a nursing home, you may want to write them a glowing reference and offer to help them find another position. You can help them post their profile on Care.com. However, if you’re not feeling comfortable writing a recommendation or giving a reference, don’t get guilted into doing it. You would be doing another family a disservice.
End negligent caregiving immediately:
- If you suspect abuse or some other egregious conduct, then fire your caregiver that day. Be firm, brief in your communication, and do it privately without your children nearby. Something along the lines of: “We’ve decided to terminate your employment immediately. Here is your final check with the days we owe you.” You may want to stay with them as they gather their belongings and then you can escort them out of the house.
Lastly, don’t forget to also give your children or parents notice so they have time to process that they will be losing their daily companion.
It is not an easy transition. If other Readers have other advice on what’s worked well in the past, we’d welcome your experience as well.
Best,
Sheila
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