I am a Caregiver in need of help

[Vaneshree]

I arrived in Canada two months ago on the Live-in Caregiver program. I am so unhappy with the family

Let me explain....

1. Upon arrival many things were changed from the original contract I had back home. Example which days I will work and overtime rate etc. (they will be no overtime rate) just normal pay for extra night hours. They also did not inform me if I am covered by their health insurance or not even though I mentioned this. I payed for my own flig to Canada (I wanted to since I wanted to gain their trust in me. Their previous nanny basically just used them to come to Canada) so I wanted to show them I had sincere intentions. I was not given back the money upon arrievening I was very broke. They made me wait a month even though I mentioned flight reimbursement several times. Anyways...they have paid it now.

2. I am unable to give the children e best possible care due to the mom's extreme micro management. She wants me to teach the children but she teaches the children that they can do whatever they want and they don't HAVE to do things. Which in turn makes caring, and trying to TEACH virtually impossible. They are eventually left to create disorder in e house and I am the one who is left with the consequences of it.

Also she scrutinizes every single thing I do. I tell her that I have emptied the garbage or busy with laundry etc. she goes and looks inside the bins and looks inside the washing machine while it is on! She is in my face on virtually everything and sometimes (more than enough) she gets in my personal life. Eg:suggesting I hook up with e neighbour boy even though she knows I have a serious boyfriend!

Anyways....I can handle most anything but I ant handle her mean spirit toward me.

I am only here for two months. What can I do? I have searched but can't find another job? Is a live-in caregiver allowed to live out? Or work 30hours a week instead of 40? What happens if they terminate my contract? I have no ticket back home nor do I have any money. I am not interested in PR. I am a final year student who will pursue a Masters soon. So the world is my oyster but I am totally in love with Canada and if it is reasonable I would love to complete my time here.

They are required to give me a four week notice, if they want me to leave immediately will I get paid at least for four weeks?? I am afraid of being stranded and ticketless and I don't want to be a burden on my family.

Please give Me advise on my situation. THANK YOU!

 

[job_seeker]

If they terminate your contract it would have to be 4 wks notice too. Find a new employer. If you're not happy with your work situation, find a new one. There are better families. Why put up with an unbearable situation. You deserve better.

Search the web or talk to nanny agencies. They won't charge you you a single penny. Sign a contract with the new family (if you find one to your liking; has to be a fit), then process the LMO. Takes longer to process LMO though. Once you have the LMO, give notice or you can apply for the WP with the new employer then give notice once you have the WP. That way you're covered while waiting.

I arrived in Canada two months ago on the Live-in Caregiver program. I am so unhappy with the family

Let me explain....

1. Upon arrival many things were changed from the original contract I had back home. Example which days I will work and overtime rate etc. (they will be no overtime rate) just normal pay for extra night hours. They also did not inform me if I am covered by their health insurance or not even though I mentioned this. I payed for my own flig to Canada (I wanted to since I wanted to gain their trust in me. Their previous nanny basically just used them to come to Canada) so I wanted to show them I had sincere intentions. I was not given back the money upon arrievening I was very broke. They made me wait a month even though I mentioned flight reimbursement several times. Anyways...they have paid it now.

2. I am unable to give the children e best possible care due to the mom's extreme micro management. She wants me to teach the children but she teaches the children that they can do whatever they want and they don't HAVE to do things. Which in turn makes caring, and trying to TEACH virtually impossible. They are eventually left to create disorder in e house and I am the one who is left with the consequences of it.

Also she scrutinizes every single thing I do. I tell her that I have emptied the garbage or busy with laundry etc. she goes and looks inside the bins and looks inside the washing machine while it is on! She is in my face on virtually everything and sometimes (more than enough) she gets in my personal life. Eg:suggesting I hook up with e neighbour boy even though she knows I have a serious boyfriend!

Anyways....I can handle most anything but I ant handle her mean spirit toward me.

I am only here for two months. What can I do? I have searched but can't find another job? Is a live-in caregiver allowed to live out? Or work 30hours a week instead of 40? What happens if they terminate my contract? I have no ticket back home nor do I have any money. I am not interested in PR. I am a final year student who will pursue a Masters soon. So the world is my oyster but I am totally in love with Canada and if it is reasonable I would love to complete my time here.

They are required to give me a four week notice, if they want me to leave immediately will I get paid at least for four weeks?? I am afraid of being stranded and ticketless and I don't want to be a burden on my family.

Please give Me advise on my situation. THANK YOU!

 

[Leon]

A live in caregiver is not allowed to live out. Your working hours can be changed according to your agreement with the employer. Did you sign changes to your contract made by the employer? It is also questionable if they can change your contract like that one-sidedly. That is the contract they showed to Service Canada to get the LMO. If you want to know, take your contract to Service Canada and ask if they are allowed to change it just like that. However, be aware that this could get your employer in trouble and they might not like you much.

Other than that, like job_seeker says, if you are unhappy, look for a new employer, get the LMO, apply for the new work permit and give your notice.

If things get unbearable and you quit or they fire you, they can not have you deported. You have the right to stay until the end of your work permit but if you don't have any money and don't have a new job lined up, you might not want to.

 

[Tika]

I can find employer for you. And u can apply another LMO

 

[Vaneshree]

Things have become unbearable I have a prospective family in Calgary . Can I move there while I apply for new wp??? My current one expires in April because my passport expires in may. I have my new passport being couriered to this week. Please advise me.

 

[Tika]

Oh...
Better you wait until you got your WP. But I couldn't understand why your WP expire on April. U just arrived in Canada..
Mmmm is that becouse your passport?
Ok just let me now if u want to move to Toronto. Am hv live in caregiver agency but I'am not charge anything from the caregiver..

 

[Leon]

Things have become unbearable I have a prospective family in Calgary . Can I move there while I apply for new wp??? My current one expires in April because my passport expires in may. I have my new passport being couriered to this week. Please advise me.

You are free to quit your job and move out. You are free to stay in Canada until the end of your work permit so if you want to move to Calgary, you can do that. You can however not start working until you get your new permit.