It's a good question.
When we're sick at home and need to cancel the housecleaners at the last minute, we don't compensate them (but we do schedule them for the next week rather than waiting for our next scheduled cleaning).
As a teenage babysitter I never expected to be paid if the parents or I canceled.
Our nanny on the other hand gets more or less a salary - she gets paid if she's sick or if she goes on vacation (within reason), and also if we cancel unexpectedly or go on vacation.
In trying to understand the differences above, I'd imagine sitters only expect to get paid for time worked, unless the relationship is a formal one, like a professional employee (which is our relationship with our nanny). We also pay for unexpected overtime.
If you choose to pay your sitter when you cancel, it may go a long way towards forging loyalty and a 1:1 committed relationship with your family.
This is a professional nanny/doula that was recommended by friends. We've met her in a social capacity so, when we needed someone in a pinch, I didn't hesitate to call her. Given that I'd like to call her again and don't want to set a precident of being a flake, I plan to send her some $. (Side note - I'm a contractor and, if a client cancels less than 24 hrs, I still get paid, hence, the question.)
- Alana, Jan 12, 2010