We are in the process of developing a contract for our new nanny. We really like the person we've chosen, but she wears a lot of perfume. Perfume is one of the biggest triggers for my migraines. Also, I frankly hate it when my babies smell like someone's perfume!
Do you think it would be to intrusive on her to ask that she not wear perfume while she's caring for our kids?
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I don't have a nanny (well, or kids) but my sister had this exact problem. She had a really hard timing with working and leaving her baby with someone else anyway, so it felt like an extra slap in the face for her when he smelled like someone else.
I think if you phrase it as a migraine trigger, it would be fine. That's a totally reasonable request in my book.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I think since there is a medical reason that would be ok to mention. I don't know if I would put it in a contract but maybe just mention something a bit more casually.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
no it isn't. we asked our nanny to do the same. i am sensitive to perfume, and her perfume would linger on charlie and in his room. i don't think you should wear perfume when caring for a baby because they have such sensitive skin.
apricot / 468 posts
@Mrs. Jacks: I was a Nanny and I would just be totally honest with her and share your thoughts about it. If my employer told me to stop I would not have a problem with it at all. She should understand!
grapefruit / 4187 posts
I work in an office and I'm pretty sure there is a policy in our handbook about excessive parfume and cologne! It's really annoying when someone goes overboard because we all sit so close to each other. I would not be offended at all if someone asked me to tone it down, but I don't wear it to begin with!
pomegranate / 3388 posts
I would just say "I've noticed you wear perfume. Unfortunately smells like perfume can trigger my migraines, so I was hoping you'd be ok with not wearing perfume when you're working in our house. I'm sorry to be an inconvenience" ...or something like that.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
Nope, I don't think it would be. I worked for an employer once who was sensitive to smells and wouldn't allow any employee to wear perfume and if your bath wash/shampoo triggered a reaction in her she would ask you not to use it anymore.
persimmon / 1205 posts
I agree with what others have stated. You have a medical reason for your request and I (a perfume lover) think it is reasonable. I would phrase it similar to how you stated your question here in that you are thrilled that you found her and think she'll be great for your family. Your only concern is the perfume and the migranes it can cause for you. You want to be sensitive, but if she could agree to not wear perfume while she watches your LO's then that would alleviate your only concern.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
coconut / 8299 posts
I agree. You have a medical reason so it's totally acceptable to ask her not to wear perfume!
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
I would be super firm when communicating this. With one nanny, I requested that she cut back on her perfume but she would still wear a lot now and then. Finally I just had to say, please stop wearing it completely. That worked nicely!
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