that Monday she does not need me. I have been with them for 8 months. I feel I should be compensated some for the last minute notice, because I turned down other offers, and the position is only 3 hours a day, Advice?
I care for a 65 year old Alzheimer woman, and turn the shoe on the other foot, what if her employer stated, oh, you don't have to come in monday, and forget about getting paid for it. She didn't state that. But there is this underwritten rule in caregiving that I think we as caregivers need to show more respect for ourselves.
I come from the business world. Caregiving for 3 - 6 hours a day for an Alzheimer patient is very hard. This monday, I just turned down an 8 hour $25.00 job, because of my 9 month commitment to this woman. Advice.
I feel sometimes the families are very uncomfortable about telling us we are no longer needed...it's not like we are being 'layed off' , we are being fired....and no, unless it's in writing they don't have to give us any notice....
This is just one of the many reasons I am getting out of caregiving... I have been doing this for 15 years..... I am past burned out.... the constant chaos of the family I presently work for is no longer an option for me....
It's a two way street... caregivers are notorious for not showing up, not giving notice, ect.... but unless you have a family that understands your own personal situation, you are not going to get compensated.... like I said, 'lesson learned'... in the future you may want to have a little contract drawn up, stating that you either need a two week notice or compensation.. I personally won't go that route, because I am sooooo done dealing with families... I can take care of my charges all day long, and all night.... the families have burned the bridge.... hope you find work soon... but just tell them thank you.... you will need this family as a reference.... so stay professional.... good luck to you.
Tricky to handle. The daughter clearly thinks it's ok to chop and change without warning. You need to let her know (carefully) that it isn't, because it costs you money. You could email her back, acknowledge her requirements for now, and add something like "normally I would expect to charge a cancellation fee of $x dollars if I'm given less than 24 hours' notice, because it causes me to lose alternative employment which I cannot afford to do." An honourable person would stump up this time (I'm guessing she won't, though); and then certainly in future you've given her fair warning that she either gets her communication better sorted out or she will have to compensate you.
Nobody likes to pay money if they don't have to, fair enough. But it isn't fair that she costs you money, and she should be able to see that. Go carefully but state your reasons clearly. Good luck!
I can honestly say, as a caregiver, we sometimes get a crap deal. Cancel, sent home, etc. And people don't realize what we lose. But if your missing out on an opportunity, bring it up. Good luck to you! Btw are you with a company or self employed?
Explain your expectations for having a steady income and that you hope she can understand.
If it happens again, look for someone more steady and write a contract that both parties sign clearly spelling out terms and compensation.
To busy for the low life care giver, never busy to pull the job from under my face. Sorry that is how I feel most people that are not wealthy beyond means which is ALL of us feel. We are such a CRITICAL NATION.