Money question- Is this fair?

Question

I babysit my neices for work--five days a week and i love it! My sister only pays me 100$ a week because she doesnt have much which is fine. My husband has a full time job and with my 100 we are getting alone fine. If for some reason I cant babysit one day she will reduce my pay by 20 $ . Thats fine I understand that. But is it fair for her to do that when she calls into work? Because she decided not to go to work I lost 20 very needed dollars for that week. Is that right?

Answer 1

no, and she is your sister maybe you should talk to her about it, she'll understand  

Answer 2

no, of course not.

but you will spare yourself a lot of worry and angst in your life if you stop expecting things to be fair.

Talk to your sister,

make some sort of  agreement about the money - something you both talk out and agree to.   specifics, write them down.

One of your points should be that although you love babysitting, you do depend on the100 dollars.

You don't want to consider a different job, but you will if you have to.

Answer 3

well yes and no. no because she didn't tell you, but yes because she just wanted a day off.

Answer 4

You should set up a contract with her.

If she is your only client, you probably need that extra.

I have a daycare, with about 6 clients.  My contract says that the client can call me, sick, once a month for free.  If I choose to charge them after that, it's in my contract to do so, but I only do it if they are really bad about it.  The state pays me for up to three sick days a month on the kids they pay for, but then, they pay way under my regular rate, as well.  

You, as the independent contractor, can make that decision for yourself, but you also have to keep good relations with your sister.  

You could get a license and add a couple of kids to your "business", then it wouldn't matter so much when your sister has to call in sick.

Answer 5

you don't have anything in writing, if it bothers you then you need to talk to your sister about it.  Let her know that she needs to let you know in advance if she is not going in to work.  A daycare place would still charge her for the day for a last minute cancellation.  Besides where else is she going to find someone to sit for one kid for $100 a week, let alone multiple kids.

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

I guess she thinks she's paying you by the day ($20/day). But that's only fair if you're working 5 days a week. If you're working 7 days a week for her she should have only taken off $14.28. Talk to her about it!

Answer 8

Yes, that is fair.  She's paying you $20 a day, and only for the days that you work.  If she is home watching her own kids, for whatever reason, then she is not paying you for that day.

If you need more money, then you'll have to find another situation where the pay is more consistent, or take in more kids.  Does your sister know now tight money is for you and that $20 makes a difference in your weekly budget?  Maybe you could tell her that.

Let her know that you are looking for another job so that she can make arrangements for someone else to watch her kids.  (She won't find childcare like you provide for $100 a week!)