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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>If A Parent Doesn't Receive Their Paycheck!?
kelliott 11:30 PM 08-26-2013
i am a parent in this situation :/ curious what you daycare members would do??..

i am an MA and have worked at the same doctors office/clinic for going on 5 years.. in that 5 years 5 of my paychecks(along with my coworkers checks) have arrived 2-5 days AFTER the scheduled payday.. yes..ILLEGAL!!.. but i am a mother so i am sticking it out here until i can find a job elsewhere..

i am scheduled to get paid every 5th and 20th of the month.. because those don't always fall on a monday or friday.. my sons daycare made me a custom schedule to pay prorated amounts on my actual paydays..gracious of her to take her personal time and set me up a schedule like that!!

this month on the 5th our paychecks did not get to us.. they actually didn't get to us 'til the 10th!!!... *luckily i had some money saved up and was able to pay my daycare the $200+ up until the next payday*... buuutttt lets just say i did not have any money saved and could not pay on the 5th, but still had to go to work&needed daycare cuz i can't lose my job(which i know is never anyone elses problem or responsibility but my own)... what would you other daycares have done if one of your daycare parents said/had the same thing happen to them??
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daycarediva 02:57 AM 08-27-2013
If you came to me and discussed it early on, and there were no other issues eg. late pickups, I probably would have let you pay late and charged 1/2 my daily late fee. (sorry, it's still late, and now *I* haven't received my paycheck!)

If I were you I would be reporting this to the state department of labor. Totally unacceptable. The only time I have ever almost bounced a check, my dh's paycheck with a large company bounced. Our mortgage check would have bounced but the bank manager was a friend of mine and called me. CRAZY!!!
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Laurel 04:24 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by kelliott:
i am a parent in this situation :/ curious what you daycare members would do??..

i am an MA and have worked at the same doctors office/clinic for going on 5 years.. in that 5 years 5 of my paychecks(along with my coworkers checks) have arrived 2-5 days AFTER the scheduled payday.. yes..ILLEGAL!!.. but i am a mother so i am sticking it out here until i can find a job elsewhere..

i am scheduled to get paid every 5th and 20th of the month.. because those don't always fall on a monday or friday.. my sons daycare made me a custom schedule to pay prorated amounts on my actual paydays..gracious of her to take her personal time and set me up a schedule like that!!

this month on the 5th our paychecks did not get to us.. they actually didn't get to us 'til the 10th!!!... *luckily i had some money saved up and was able to pay my daycare the $200+ up until the next payday*... buuutttt lets just say i did not have any money saved and could not pay on the 5th, but still had to go to work&needed daycare cuz i can't lose my job(which i know is never anyone elses problem or responsibility but my own)... what would you other daycares have done if one of your daycare parents said/had the same thing happen to them??
I would let it ride and just collect it when you got it if you were an otherwise good client. I'd want any part of it if you had it....a good faith amount if you will. Something is better than nothing as I have to pay bills also.

Laurel
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Willow 05:10 AM 08-27-2013
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
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butterfly 05:21 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.

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momofboys 05:22 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
^this
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AnneCordelia 05:30 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
And, if they hadnt saved to plan for it then I expect that they will borrow from friends and family before they ask to borrow from me...which is essentially what paying late is doing...taking money that was scheduled to be in my pocket out of it. Thats what friends and family are for.
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MyAngels 05:30 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
Yep, this. That's what the emergency fund is for.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:39 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by AnneCordelia:
And, if they hadnt saved to plan for it then I expect that they will borrow from friends and family before they ask to borrow from me...which is essentially what paying late is doing...taking money that was scheduled to be in my pocket out of it. Thats what friends and family are for.
Absolutely. I could be sympathetic to a point, but I also have bills to pay and mouths to feed and couldn't work for free until a parent got paid.
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Meeko 05:48 AM 08-27-2013
Your situation is a mess and I feel bad for you.
But it is your problem and your employers problem.

Not your daycare providers problem.

She should never be expected to make YOUR problem, HER problem.
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Cradle2crayons 05:52 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Meeko:
Your situation is a mess and I feel bad for you.
But it is your problem and your employers problem.

Not your daycare providers problem.

She should never be expected to make YOUR problem, HER problem.
I expect my parents to plan accordingly. Even if it has never happened before... It could... It's THEIR responsibility to plan for any and all scenarios. If I made all my dcp problems my problems I'd be in a mess!
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CedarCreek 05:56 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
It used to happen to me all of the time. I worked at a dental office and my checks were constantly bouncing. I just had to know that I had to put something back to pay my provider, I couldn't leave her out to dry like that because my employer sucked. I kept a cash stash for emergencies and paid her with that.
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NeedaVaca 06:00 AM 08-27-2013
It's your responsibility to pay your bills on time.
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Maria2013 06:03 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by kelliott:
i am a parent in this situation :/ curious what you daycare members would do??..

i am an MA and have worked at the same doctors office/clinic for going on 5 years.. in that 5 years 5 of my paychecks(along with my coworkers checks) have arrived 2-5 days AFTER the scheduled payday.. yes..ILLEGAL!!.. but i am a mother so i am sticking it out here until i can find a job elsewhere..

i am scheduled to get paid every 5th and 20th of the month.. because those don't always fall on a monday or friday.. my sons daycare made me a custom schedule to pay prorated amounts on my actual paydays..gracious of her to take her personal time and set me up a schedule like that!!

this month on the 5th our paychecks did not get to us.. they actually didn't get to us 'til the 10th!!!... *luckily i had some money saved up and was able to pay my daycare the $200+ up until the next payday*... buuutttt lets just say i did not have any money saved and could not pay on the 5th, but still had to go to work&needed daycare cuz i can't lose my job(which i know is never anyone elses problem or responsibility but my own)... what would you other daycares have done if one of your daycare parents said/had the same thing happen to them??
clearly it wasn't your fault so I would have worked with you! if it was only a matter of moving the payday a week or two ...I couldn't do partial payments and balance building up, I depend on my income too
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jenn 07:05 AM 08-27-2013
Tough situation, and my answer would vary depending on the child and family. That may not sound fair, but I'm just being honest.
If a long term family that has not had previous payment issues, follows the other policies, is respectful, has a child I enjoy watching came to me with this issue...I would work with them as much as possible.
If this is a reoccurring issue or I have other issues with the family or child, I would charge my full late fee and consider termination. I do this job to pay my bills, so me not being paid or being paid late, is just as much as a problem as it is for you not getting paid.
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SilverSabre25 07:34 AM 08-27-2013
It depends on a LOT of things...how long the client has been with me, our relationship, how many other times you ask for special, if it has ever happened before, the state of MY finances...and you're going to have to expect to pay some extra for this. And you'd earn bonus points if you show up with coffee or flowers or something.

but, I'm a bit unusual in that I do work with parents. When they come to me early and ask, and apologize, and are willing to accept the terms I put down. I pride myself on giving parents a break when life kicks them in the pants simply because life kicks ME in the pants a lot and I'd like a break sometimes too. I've also been in your situation, where for whatever reason a paycheck was late and there were bills to pay. Not daycare, but other ones.

So yes, chances are good that I would work with you. BUT--here's the caveat--it's happened before and odds are it will happen again, so you should save up enough money to cover one daycare payment. (technically you should save up enough to cover ALL your expenses one or more paychecks ahead, but you probably know that).
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mema 07:46 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Meeko:
Your situation is a mess and I feel bad for you.
But it is your problem and your employers problem.

Not your daycare providers problem.

She should never be expected to make YOUR problem, HER problem.
Originally Posted by AnneCordelia:
And, if they hadnt saved to plan for it then I expect that they will borrow from friends and family before they ask to borrow from me...which is essentially what paying late is doing...taking money that was scheduled to be in my pocket out of it. Thats what friends and family are for.
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.


I have my own bills to pay and kids to feed. I don't ask parents for a loan so I can pay my stuff, I have to figure out how to pay if I don't have the money at the time. Borrow from family, sell somethings, buy less groceries/gas, etc.
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mom2many 09:50 AM 08-27-2013
I tend to be lenient and don't enforce late fees. I have always had great parents that don't take advantage of this and simply pay on time. In the past, I did have a single dcm who had a similar issue. I extended a grace period for this isolated incident and she paid me when her check arrived.

However, if this was happening on a regular basis then it would become an issue and I would not be okay with continually getting paid late. I have bills to pay too and expect my checks on time as well!
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Cradle2crayons 10:05 AM 08-27-2013
My husband works offshore. And that profession is one of feast or famine.

That means work is either awesome and we never see him and the savings account gets plump.

OR

he's off work for three months due to hurricanes or lack of wells etc and we have NO idea when work will start back up.

We survived Katrina and the financial struggle afterwards. And we went through Rita and all the others. Catastrophic floods and tornadoes. Not one time did any of our bill companies say boo hoo pay us next month.

We try to out everything extra we can in savings and sometimes it's not enough.

So while I sympathize with the OP, if its not a first time thing, then you should be expected to prepare for it.

That said, if it was a long term client in good standing, the first time, I'd make an allowance and charge a partial late fee. If it was someone who pushed all my boundaries then probably not.
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Play Care 10:13 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.


I admit I'd be pretty miffed that I was first on the clients list of who can wait for payment.
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coolconfidentme 10:59 AM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by AnneCordelia:
And, if they hadnt saved to plan for it then I expect that they will borrow from friends and family before they ask to borrow from me...which is essentially what paying late is doing...taking money that was scheduled to be in my pocket out of it. Thats what friends and family are for.
I have said before, "Can't you ask a family member to cover for you?" When they said no I replied, "Why are you asking me to cover it then?"
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sleepinghart 12:59 PM 08-27-2013
I found this on California's DLSE( Division of Labor Standards Enforcement)site and thought I'd post/share it here with regard to paychecks and their arrival time, etc(..hope it's okay to link; I didn't see anything against it, but I apologize in advance if I overlooked):

"In California, wages, with some exceptions (see table below), must be paid at least twice during each calendar month on the days designated in advance as regular paydays. The employer must establish a regular payday and is required to post a notice that shows the day, time and location of payment. Labor Code Section 207 Wages earned between the 1st and 15th days, inclusive, of any calendar month must be paid no later than the 26th day of the month during which the labor was performed, and wages earned between the 16th and last day of the month must be paid by the 10th day of the following month. Other payroll periods such as weekly, biweekly (every two weeks) or semimonthly (twice per month) when the earning period is something other than between the 1st and 15th, and 16th and last day of the month, must be paid within seven calendar days of the end of the payroll period within which the wages were earned. Labor Code Section 204"
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_Paydays.htm
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sharlan 01:06 PM 08-27-2013
Your financial issues are not my problem. I do not ask my parents to cover my bills if I'm running low. My mortgage company doesn't care if I don't get paid on time. They want their payment regardless.

Now, having said that, if a parent comes to me and talks to me in advance of payday, I will be more than willing to work with them. If they show up on payday and say they don't have the money, I charge them $10 a day in late fees.
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sharlan 01:10 PM 08-27-2013
Your financial issues are not my problem. I do not ask my parents to cover my bills if I'm running low. My mortgage company doesn't care if I don't get paid on time. They want their payment regardless.

Now, having said that, if a parent comes to me and talks to me in advance of payday, I will be more than willing to work with them. I had one father that I worked with for over 6 mos. I waived hundreds of dollars in late fees for him. That is until he accidently told me how much he made a month and that he was paying double on his credit cards. Late fees went into effect the next week.

If they show up on payday and say they don't have the money, I charge them $10 a day in late fees.
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MarinaVanessa 01:40 PM 08-27-2013
Originally Posted by Willow:
If it were one of my families, who knew they could end up in a position like that because it's happened multiple times before, I'd expect them to plan for it and save accordingly.
Yep, me too.
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kelliott 10:19 PM 08-27-2013
i didn't mean for that post to sound/read rude or selfish.. i am absolutely NOT trying to put my financial struggle on my daycare provider.. i love her daycare and how she and her husband are with my son so i would never take advantage of it.. in fact, she is the FIRST on my list when i get all my bills together to pay ..without her.. i wouldn't be able to work to pay for ANY of my bills! and as much as i NEED my paychecks.. she needs hers

she is very gracious and i would consider myself in excellent standing with her.. i have never had a late pick up, early drop off, or non/late payment i did pay her..it just so happened i had moved back in to my moms house from my apartment to start saving money just a month and a half earlier!.. so i got lucky being that i had some $$ set aside and since it happened back to back with the late paychecks this month my mom helped me out with the second mishap

just was wondering what other providers would do.. it wasn't something i really saw coming.. the last time it happened was over a year ago so i thot the "late paychecks" ship had sailed thanks for all the input though!.. i am(not that i didn't know it before) very lucky to have found the daycare my son attends
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