depends on what contract she was on I would assume.
Most nannies of celebs btw have to sign NDAs when they get hired and are not allowed to testify in court against either party. Now, Gloria was not entered into any witness list by Alice. Not even in Ella's joke request. She was just mentioned as a potential witness by Ella (like the friends father, although he was just mentioned in the filing). Her function of being there in court might have been to take care of Elsie (because she had to be there to hurt Ioan more) rather than to actually testify. So it would be funny if in that aspect Gloria actually stuck to the nannie "rule book" but Alice and Ella screwed her up anyway. Her English is apparently poor, so it would make sense.
My biggest issue is not her refusing to help with clothes - that indeed could be self protection from mAlice wrath, not even showing up in court - she could indeed be just there to look after Elsie or provide emotional
support as "the only family" - hard to get away from doing it if you are asked, but refusing to putt girls on the phone when Ioan called and mAlice was not around. That is active taking sides. Of course even that can be argued as she was protecting herself, but all those things put together shows me she was covering her arse and holding on to a cushy job.
Now, I never liked Gloria. And before anybody jumps on me its nothing to do with her background, but a lot to do with her situation. To me she comes across as somebody for whatever reason not able to get a better position (even as a housekeeper in a "normal" household - not an easy job actually as well as cleaner) and with fluid morals in the sense that she sees no problem taking money for little work (lets face it the house was a mess, she was not a good cleaner and girls didnt need much looking after). Im sure she is a kindly lady and is probably genuinely attached to the kids - to certain extent, because she did not seem to suggest to continue seeing kids at least sometimes when Ioan fired her (although I realise most of the drama is known from mAlice’s description and only a little from court documents) so yes she is probably attached, but if mAlice stops paying her she would genuinely cry and then move on. I have known people in similar position as her: I have a few wealthy friends who hire domestic aid but also myself worked in care agency and met and became friends with some people that also worked as domestic aids. They have one common trait: regardless of their personal qualities they have a love hate relationship with their employer. They usually have very hard life and work extremely hard. But even when their employer is fair to them (which is rare as wealthy people tend to take advantage: can you stay another hour please? Do you mind to do this as well please?) and it’s difficult not to feel some sort of resentment but also many of them do not know how to set up proper boundaries and firmly refuse to do things they are not hired to do and as the result they always tend to take advantage as a payback whenever they get a chance.
Phew, Ive had this brewing a long time
All of this is MOO of course
And I dont blame Gloria. I just dont think the is this angelic guardian ever helping grounding presence that some believed she was. She is not their fairy godmother.
And also she spoils the kids - its inevitable, she is not allowed to say no or discipline them - not in mAlice’s household anyway
Again - MOO