There has been a death in the family, so I need to attend a funeral. The funeral date is the day after the sit is due to end.
However, the homeowner got angry, because they wanted me to stay longer, despite not amending the listing. What’s worse is that she asked to move the funeral and then insinuated that I was lying about the death.
So with that level of disrespect (sitters unite), I’ve decided to leave early. She has a family member at her home to cover.
You can’t @TimSmith - the HO has to do it or you can reach out to MS and explain about the family bereavement and ask them to do it for you. If the HO has been unfair and unreasonable make sure you screenshot their messages if any of them are off platform so you have evidence of your situation. Sorry you’re going through this, hope it all works out before you have to go and be with family. #sendingsympathy
So sorry for your loss @TimSmith, and that the HO is making things more difficult for you at an already challenging time. To request to move a funeral in order to accommodate her travels…this is beyond entitled! Unfortunately, the home owner must amend the sit on the system rather than the sitter, but I’m sure if you reached out to member services (perhaps with evidence of your conversation with the home owner), they will be able to assist. Best of luck.
@TimSmith so sorry for your loss. Unexpected events like this can happen to anyone (hosts and sitters) and the host should have a back up plan in place.As long as you give the host 24 hours notice of your departure date , so they can make alternative arrangements , you have done everything that you can do.
Since you are already on the sit , you can call the THS Urgent Support line for assistance- it’s a 24/7 phone line , the number is on your dashboard. They can cancel the sit for you.
Explain there has been a family bereavement, you’ve informed the host that you need to leave the sit early. You’ve given them 24 hours notice of the date that you need to leave. You’ve asked them to cancel the sit. They refused. You need THS to step in and cancel it .
This is such a terrible situation for you. And absolutely ridiculous on the HOs part as it seems you were willing to finish the sit but they wanted to extend it without prior agreement and that’s why they’re getting upset. They have no right to extend without your agreement and what they’re doing now is just disgusting. Please do reach out to MS and explain the entire situation (including them feeling entitled to extend without agreement) and leave an honest sit at the end as other sitters should be aware of the attitudes of this HO.
Are you saying there is a third party staying at the sit while you are there ? If this is the case that breaches THs T&Cs and you have good reason to leave based just on this alone . Aside from your needing to leave because of your bereavement .
@strawberryjen@Silversitters, because the sit has already started, I believe that the HO is no longer able to make any date changes on the THS system (doesn’t sound like HO would agree to shorten regardless). The OP’s only option would seem to be to go through Membership Support. Like @Silversitters, I want to know more about the ‘family member at the home’ situation.
@TimSmith Sorry for your loss. What a horrible response from the HO. I agree with everyone else that you should involve member services. Given the HOs actions, I would not deal with them at all beyond informing them when you will be leaving (don’t ask them, tell them). Contact member services with all the information, they can change the dates of the sit.
Edited to add – also keep screenshots of all communications with the HO just in case you need them later.
To protect your standing in this community, IMHO the most important thing you must do is save all the exchanges in writing between you & the HO and provide that proof to THS Customer Service.
Because I imagine you’re dealing with a lot of emotion/stress right now, I’ll suggest what you should consider documenting (and take screen shots if it was via WhatsApp because HO can delete that thread!)
Something like this:
(1) HO request that you extend the sit w/o changing sit dates
(2) Your response that you cannot extend the sit beyond the dates agreed to
(3) HO response showing unacceptable attitude re the demands
(4) Your response explaining about death in the family
(5) HO accusations that the death is a fabrication
(6) Your declining to continue the sit due to HO attitude & family emergency
(7) HO confirming they have someone to cover your absence NOTE: If there was a family member living in the home while you were doing the sit the HO violated THS terms. Important to have proof of that.
(8) Your confirming departure
(9) You may also want to include proof of the death in the family to THS.
This is why it is a good thing to make significant communication on the THS platform.
IF the exchanges were via EM you’ll still have proof.
IF the exchanges were via WhatsApp, take screen shots because the HO can delete the entire thread of your conversations.
@MaggieUU yes of course you are completely correct as the sit has already started either party would need to contact THS to get the sit ended early .
If the host is a Premium member in normal circumstances this would also mean that the host likely would be covered if they incur any costs in paying for an alternative sitter/ kennels etc for the remainder of the sit ( but would only cover the dates of the sit as shown and agreed on THS platform ) . However if there are third parties living at the property that breaks the THS T&Cs and likely nullifies any claim .
I am sorry it has to be under these circumstances.
Sending my heartfelt condolences for your loss of a family member.
You have been giving great advice by our wise members.
My added two cents:
Shame on HO for being so insensitive.
Shame on HO for having such an uncaring attitude.
Shame on HO for questioning your integrity about losing a loved one.
Shame on HO for wanting to extend the sit—under these or any circumstances. Unless things have changed, the HO would not be able to amend dates of a confirmed sit. And if the HO wanted you to stay beyond what was agreed upon off of THS’s books, then shame on the HO again.
If the sit has commenced and the end date is to be changed (either earlier or later) then a screenshot of messages, showing that the revised date has been acknowledged by both parties, is sufficient for MS to immediately amend (we’ve done it, when the pet parent asked if we’d extend the sit date and we agreed).
If you were responding to me, your situation is different from the OP’s—in that both you and the HO agreed to an extended sit in which MS amended the dates.
In the OP’s case, the OP does not want the sit to be extended. The OP actually wants to leave the sit early. Yes, as I mentioned, unless something has changed, the HO cannot amend the date.
For an extended sit to take place “Both parties (HOs and sitters) have to agree to an extended sit.” There has to be a meeting of the minds.
Otherwise, If a HO had the ability to extend a sit without a sitter’s permission, that would be—just plain wrong.
