Caregiver calling in sick too often. Should I let her go?

This is unacceptable and you know it. You are planning on this CG to be there, doing her job and suddenly your dad is thrown off b/c she doesn't show--and doesn't give you a replacement to call or anything.

A 50% no-show rate? That's not OK.

You can stay the course and it will be more of the same.

I worked Elder Care and always called the day before--or if I had to call 'last minute' I got someone to cover. Then I'd call my client with the option that I'd come another day or she could have the replacement. NEVER leave a client hanging.

I’d guess that your caregiver has another casual job that pays better. She gets the offer of a shift there, so cancels you. It’s more likely than repeated ‘illness’ that comes and goes so frequently.

Get someone else. She's unreliable and you need someone you can count on.

Hi,

Don't stay the course. Let her go. I have worked in care and disabilities and this is a sign of burnout. She will continually do this and your frustration will grow.
It is not up to you to look out for her, you look out for your Dad, so get him a second carer who wants to do the job.

Look after yourself as well.

If it were happening occasionally and they worked on having a sub get there in time, then it would be somewhat more acceptable but not what's happening now. I recently had to fire someone who was very sweet but was on her phone constantly managing her children and home life remotely. She was in her 40s, so not "inexperienced". Sorry, not what I'm paying for. And it's not my problem or yours. Let her go and make sure to complain to the IHSS supervisor.

If I were in this position, I'd fire her. She's unreliable. I'd find someone reliable.

Can you ask the IHSS to provide a replacement when the caregiver calls in sick? Your father still needs care, even when his caregiver is sick. Talk to them about what he is entitled to in this situation.

This is a tough one and I have more questions than answers. My gut response, like most others, is to tell you to let her go. But then questions come up, like, how long has she been taking care of your dad? Of all of her total shifts, how many has she missed? Does he really like her? Is she a good caregiver otherwise? I would certainly be annoyed at someone who called in sick too often. My mom's overnight caregiver recently made medical appointments for days when she stays overnight with mom, and then could not stay overnight with mom. This has happened twice in October and I find it annoying, as she does not have another position and I am guessing could have scheduled that appointment for another day, which is what I usually do when I have medical appointments, that is I try to schedule them on days that have less impact on my workplace.

Whether she is truly ill or calling out because she has another job that day or has childcare issues does not really matter in my opinion. She only works 8 hours a week and if I hired someone for 8 hours a week and they missed more than two or three days in a 5-6 month period I would probably let them go. So I guess in my longwinded way I have come around to saying that you should let her go. But the kind thing to do would be to let her know, to give her some warning that if she calls out again that you will have to let her go.

I have worked all my life and for someone to call out this often would result in immediate termination unless it was legitimately proven there was a valid reason - and even then they could be let go. She is plainly unreliable and it is affecting your father and you both. Talk with the agency or seek someone else at once - and when you find someone, lay out boundaries about calling out etc. Who knows why she is doing this so often - it is unacceptable.

Donte1423: Imho, any other persons who work for companies and call out sick too many times may be asked to present a doctor's note as to the reason of illnesses.
Another consideration is if she is legitimately sick, this may be detrimental to caring for your father as if she is on shift, perhaps she could possibly pass on her illness to him.