Would You Take a Job if the Parents Asked that You Not Make Personal Phone Calls or Texts During the Work Day?

Should Nannies and Au Pairs Make Personal Cell Phone Calls and Text When Working?

Yesterday we showed an example of a nanny texting instead of properly attending to the child in her care at the pool.

In 2009 The San Francisco Chronicle discussed the fact that nannies, au pairs, and parents are spending more energy on their cell phones and barely observing the kids in their care while at a playground.

We acknowledge that caregivers commonly carry cell phones. Many families require it for emergency situations. If a child comes down with a fever, the nanny can easily call the parent at work. Also, parents like to check in throughout the day; they might want to find out if their child went down for a nap or let the caregiver know they're running late.

Let's not forget that parents provide cellular phones to their caregivers with global positioning systems to track the nanny and au pair's location as well.

But some nannies use their phones to talk to their friends and families and it's debatable whether this is acceptable.

There are parents who feel strongly that their nannies shouldn't be making personal calls while on the job. They believe it's best for a child's development to be fully engaged with an adult throughout the day. It's not uncommon for parents to post want ads on Craigslist that include statements such as "We want a nanny who won't talk on the phone at the park."

But cell phones are helpful in case of an emergency for nannies and au pairs and they can also help keep kids safe. Click here for our favorite cell phone for kids.

Do you make personal cell phone calls and personal texts during work? Do you think it's okay for nannies and au pairs to text and make personal calls when working?