stansclan89 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 So...someone we know recommended my dd16 to babysit 12-15 hrs a week for her new bosses 3yr old daughter in August. She was interviewed and did a trial run of about a week. She babysits near mom--in home or business while mom works all day. They said they liked her and wanted to keep her but mil is in town and they will call when she leaves. They call 3 weeks later!!! and don't understand why she can't babysit that afternoon (she had other plans for the day). dd16 goes back again the next day. Boss has put 3yo in preschool in the mornings and has swimming lessons some afternoons. She brings dd16 home early many days because...has some lesson, 3yo fell asleep, 3yo is grumpy. This goes on for 4 weeks then boss ends it saying 3yo is grumpy at night and she wants to end babysitting until she figures out why. (She's 3 years old and always being run from place to place--of course she's grumpy) I then find out that dd16 had not been paid at all for the 4 weeks (she didn't tell me and I wasn't paying attention). I ask her what is going on and how many hours she worked. dd16 says that she gave all proof of what hours she worked to boss. After many phone calls she finally mails her a check--for half what is owed her. I call to ask what is going on and she insists that she was paid what her hours say and if I can show proof of what hours she worked she will pay more. I know that she roughly worked half what she was supposed to, but do not have written down exactly what hours on what days. The boss has that. Boss asked me why dd16 did not have copies of her time sheets? Because she didn't expect someone to be so dishonest. If you are still reading this, thank you. I know I can't do anything about this at this point. I just needed to rant a bit. dd16 pays for her own piano lessons and spanish classes and now has no source of income. We can't afford to pay them for her. She gave up an afternoon paper route to be able to take this job. Frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 :angry: sorry. I do not know why people take advantage of teens like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I had something similar happen to me when I was 15. I wish my parents would have stepped in to help me get paid what I was suppose to be paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 :grouphug: at least she knows to keep copies of her time sheets/hours worked in the future (although it is of no help right now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzymom Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Did your daughter submit time records to this woman? I am not clear on that. If she did, I would tell this lovely woman we are coming by to go over them with her and figure out the discrepancy. She doesn't need to know you don't have a copy. If she balks, you may be out of luck, but I would definitely pressure her. Taking advantage of a teen girl like that is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcjlkplus3 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Did your daughter submit time records to this woman? I am not clear on that. If she did, I would tell this lovely woman we are coming by to go over them with her and figure out the discrepancy. She doesn't need to know you don't have a copy. If she balks, you may be out of luck, but I would definitely pressure her. Taking advantage of a teen girl like that is terrible. :iagree:wonderful idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Did your daughter submit time records to this woman? I am not clear on that. If she did, I would tell this lovely woman we are coming by to go over them with her and figure out the discrepancy. She doesn't need to know you don't have a copy. If she balks, you may be out of luck, but I would definitely pressure her. Taking advantage of a teen girl like that is terrible. I agree. Tell the woman you need to sit down with her to figure out the discrepancy. Set up a time ASAP. THEN, tell the woman to "be sure to have the timesheet dd gave you handy so we can go over the dates and times." Then, you and dd meet and do the math, in her presence. Bring a calculator. If the woman does not present the time sheet, then I would be prepared to tell her, "Look. You hired her to work these full shifts. She gave up her other job to do this for you. Then you cut her hours willy nilly and didn't pay her for the full time you had reserved. Then you only paid her half of even that reduced amount. You owed her $x for the hours she actually worked, or better yet $x+$z for the hours you promised her. You paid her $y. You owe her either $q or $q+z. DD isn't lying; she is an honest girl. We trusted you. Please pay her TODAY." If she refuses, then you are probably SOL. That really stinks. What an awful way to learn an important lesson (record keeping as well as insisting on timely payment.) Wow. People are awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 wow. that is totally awful. honestly, i don't even expect a 16 year old to be in charge of their hours and hand in time-sheets to me. that sounds insane. if i did have that expectation, i certainly would have made it clear when hiring them. otherwise, we would discuss the rate beforehand and pay it weekly. i can't believe she never paid your daughter at all, and ignored your calls! and then to pay her only half of the rate due and argue about it, ugh. what a terrible experience for your daughter. i'm embarrassed for that woman and sad for your daughter. hugs.:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 As much as I hate it, I would also start talking about small claims court. sometimes just talking about it, will bring in the cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 As much as I hate it, I would also start talking about small claims court. sometimes just talking about it, will bring in the cash. I was thinking this same thing! This is a clear case of someone taking advantage of a minor. I think it would be a great lesson to show dd how to stand up to this kinds of dishonesty and taking it to small claims isn't out of the question. This woman needs to be put on notice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm truly sorry about what has happened with your dd, and it is completely unfair for that woman to behave as such. If she babysits in the future, I recommend that she does the following: Get a basic understanding of how many hours each week she is expected to babysit. Determine how much that would cost. On Monday morning (or whatever day is her first day of the week), the client should pay for that whole week in advance (so Monday the client is paying for Mon-Fri of that current week). If dd works less, she may deduct the overage from the next Monday's bill. Some do it more strictly. Some will want payment Friday before, so if the client doesn't prepay on Friday they will not show up on Monday. They will also have a set amount based on the proposed schedule, which means if the client says it will be 20 hours a week, the babysitter will be paid for 20 hours a week (even if they only work 15 or cancel one day). Some will demand that any overtime (over the amount proposed) be paid for that day. With babysitting, it seems best to demand payment in advance. No pay; no services. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 wow. that is totally awful. honestly, i don't even expect a 16 year old to be in charge of their hours and hand in time-sheets to me. that sounds insane. This was my thought too. Especially for babysitting. It was not made clear when she started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Wow, you've all ready been given some wise advise, but I just wanted to post and say I'm angry for your daughter too. How wrong, and in all the years I nannied I never had to turn in time sheets and I did it daily on a regular consistent time, would have been even weirder for the odd job or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 (edited) I agree. Tell the woman you need to sit down with her to figure out the discrepancy. Set up a time ASAP. THEN, tell the woman to "be sure to have the timesheet dd gave you handy so we can go over the dates and times." ASAP is way past at this point. dd16 stopped working for her a month ago and she didn't get payment until last week. We didn't realize that there would be a discrepancy until dd got the check. She didn't answer her cell if we called most of the time before that (it was about twice a week and we left messages). She offered to mail copies of the timesheets but I doubt she will. It took 3 weeks to get half a payment. Edited November 17, 2011 by stansclan89 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 As much as I hate it, I would also start talking about small claims court. sometimes just talking about it, will bring in the cash. I was thinking this same thing! This is a clear case of someone taking advantage of a minor. I think it would be a great lesson to show dd how to stand up to this kinds of dishonesty and taking it to small claims isn't out of the question. This woman needs to be put on notice! I thought about that, but I don't think there would be a point to it if we can't get copies of the timesheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 Wow, you've all ready been given some wise advise. :iagree:Thanks you guys. Lots to think about for future jobs and teaching kids to protect themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suppleasthewind Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I babysat a lot when I was a young teen. I can think of two clients who still owe me money. Even back then, I remember thinking, "who cheats a minor out of money?" I think you should get involved to pressure the woman to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 I babysat a lot when I was a young teen. I can think of two clients who still owe me money. Even back then, I remember thinking, "who cheats a minor out of money?" I think you should get involved to pressure the woman to pay. I have been involved since we got the check. I called and talked to her dh that day. He thought that maybe they missed a timesheet. I called back today to see if they found it (it's been about a week) and she said that they paid all they owe, I was harassing her, I had a mental issue for calling so much (twice?) and we were just trying to get more money out of her because she has so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I thought about that, but I don't think there would be a point to it if we can't get copies of the timesheets. I have been involved since we got the check. I called and talked to her dh that day. He thought that maybe they missed a timesheet. I called back today to see if they found it (it's been about a week) and she said that they paid all they owe, I was harassing her, I had a mental issue for calling so much (twice?) and we were just trying to get more money out of her because she has so much. HA reading all that, NO problem with filing then. I would do it. I'd tell dd to make up a time sheet to the best of her ability. and actually I think you could do it with out one too. What you really hope is the threat of the small claims court will bring them around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 oh and did you cash the check yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I thought about that, but I don't think there would be a point to it if we can't get copies of the timesheets. Can the two of you sit down and try to compile a list of days and hours. I don't think a judge would assume a 16 year old should be keeping copies of time sheets. You might have some luck there with a sympathetic judge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansclan89 Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 oh and did you cash the check yet? Yes. She needed to pay for piano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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