I met with this sitter over a pleasant cup of tea and we agreed on hours, days and a start date for the following month. Several days before she was due to begin she sent a text claiming she was ill but still eager to begin work the following week. Despite this, she did not respond to my further texts and communications, did not show up on the new agreed date and we have not heard from her since.

She asked me to sign a legal document absolving her of responsibility of my child whilst in her care, which was tactfully declined. I can only assume it was because I would not sign the waiver that she decided not to take up the job. But to ignore all communication and not inform me of her decision meant I wasted a month's Gold Membership fees and made no other babysitting contacts during the time I waited for her to begin the job.

If there was a good reason for the termination of our verbal contract or simply a change of heart, Jessie lacked the courtesy to inform me of it. As the matter stands it seems simple rudeness, unprofessionalism and thoughtless disregard for anyone else's inconvenience.