How to quit your caregiving job
Quitting a job is never easy. But sometimes what seems to be the perfect job ends up not being the best fit, and other times your needs and schedule no longer mesh with that of your employer. Whatever your reason, leaving a nanny, babysitter or senior caregiver job can be especially tough because of the relationships you develop with the family you’re providing services to.
So how do you go about quitting a caregiving job while avoiding as much heartache, disappointment or resentment as possible?
1. Do it in person
Once you’ve made the decision to move on from your job, inform your current employer in the most professional way possible. Dennis Tupper, a senior corporate recruiter with the Eliassen Group, emphasizes this should be an in-person conversation, as your sincerity and appreciation won̵7;t translate well in a resignation via text or email.
̶0;Do the right thing, look the person in the eye and let them know that it is time for you to move on,̶1; says Tupper. ̶0;This way you can convey professionalism, integrity and honesty to the now-former employer.̶1;
If you want to do it in writing, through a letter of resignation, you should still have a personal conversation while handing over the letter.
2. Give adequate notice
Making a departure without providing notice can leave your employer in a lurch and without care for their loved one. It̵7;s typical to provide two weeks̵7; notice to your employer when you leave a job. This will give them time to find your replacement or make other arrangements, which is not always an easy process.
3. Be gracious
It̵7;s important to be gracious, tactful and professional when you leave any position, says BJ Gallagher, speaker and author of ̶0;It’s Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been.”
̶0;You want to part with your employer in a spirit of gratitude and kindness,̶1; says Gallagher. ̶0;Thank them for the opportunity to work for them. Tell them what you appreciate about the time you̵7;ve spent in their employ. Be genuine and authentic. Even if you hated your job, think of something, even one thing, you can express gratitude for.”
4. Don̵7;t play the blame game
Once you̵7;ve decided to leave the position, there̵7;s no need to get into details about what may have went wrong. Instead, stay objective when giving your resignation, advises Kimberly Friedmutter, certified hypnotherapist and life-management expert. “Stay neutral in the conversation with broad perspectives such as, ̵6;It̵7;s time for me to make a change̵7; or ̵6;I really feel the call to do something different, now.’”
“Details are not important at this point and can only potentially hurt feelings,̶1; she continues. ̶0;Keep a happy demeanor and perceive your new shift as a good one and your employer̵7;s attitude will follow your lead.”
5. Follow your employer̵7;s lead
Quitting is an important conversation, so make sure you schedule a time to have a face-to-face with your employer. Once you discuss your departure to come, ask your employer how to approach it with the child or senior for whom you provide care. Let the parent or family member take the lead. Once everyone is made aware, be careful about how you talk about your decision to quit.
6. Ask about final payment
Make sure you̵7;re paid for any work you̵7;ve done. The laws about handling last paychecks are different in every state — and vary depending on if you quit vs. were fired. For instance, California requires your employer to pay you immediately if you̵7;re fired, but they have 72 hours to pay you if you quit. Before you talk to your employer, check with your state labor department to see what you̵7;re entitled to.
7. Deal with taxes
Make sure the family has your mailing address, so they can send you a W-2 at year-end if you earned more than $2,400 from them and let them know if you move at some point during the rest of the year. You’re required to report this income, and the family only has to attempt to send the W-2 to the last known address to comply with IRS rules.
Announcing your decision to quit a job is always tough. Follow this advice to make the conversation easier on you, your employer and the kids or seniors you̵7;ve given your love and care.
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