Fall, slide, ... mishaps that can occur to your nanny on the job.

Fortunately, this is an exceptional event. But rare doesn't mean impossible! Let's start by explaining what a work accident: it is an accident inside your home during an event in connection with the childcare during working hours.
A fall on the stairs, slipping on a patch of ice ... This event will require additional steps and will have an obvious effect on your employee.

Most work accidents are quite small and may not require any medical attention but this article mostly deals with those rare "other cases".

Your responsibilities after an accident

As soon as possible, both you and your nanny should report this incident to the Workers' Compensation Board in your province (see the full list here). You will both need to give the full details of the incident. 

If your nanny has had a serious injury and needs to take time off of work, she can apply for lost wage benefits and medical aid benefits to help cover her expenses. You are not responsible for paying your nanny during this time.  You also cannot fire her while she is on leave (up to 12 weeks)

The workers compensation board will investigate the case. If they determine the accident was due to negligence on the part of the employer, they may demand a settlement although this is rare and usually only in very serious cases.

The consequences of the accident for your nanny

If your nanny needs to take extended time off of work, you may ask her for a doctor's note with an approximate date when she can return to work.

Furthermore, you can not lay your nanny off for accident except for:
- Serious misconduct
- Failure to maintain the employment contract (job cuts for a reason unrelated to the accident)

You do not want to have an unfortunate situation such as this one, in which a nanny from the Philippines died in her employer's home. Do your best to keep your home safe for everyone and do not ask your nanny to perform dangerous tasks that you yourself would not perform.