Writing no phone use into a nanny contract

[Anonymous]

We want to make it clear upfront that we will not accept any phone use when out baby is awake. We plan to put it in our ad and mention it during interviews. As suggested here, we plan to give our new nanny a new Apple Watch for emergencies. We are sure of our decision so no need to debate.

My question is how to include no phone use in a contract? Just state agreed to expectations or under cause for dismissal? Or after the ad, the interview and our reminding nanny, is it necessary to put into the contract at all?

[Anonymous]

Oh boy.

[Anonymous]

Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Popcorn gif goes here.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you have to write it into your contract. We didn’t and it hasn’t been an issue at all. We knew from our interview that our nanny was opposed to phone use in front of our son and it hasn’t been an issue for over three years.

It’s like anything else, OP, you put your expectations out there before hiring and keep searching until you find the right person.

[Anonymous]

No thanks ✋🏻

[Anonymous]

No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

[Anonymous]

It’s not even the phone use, it’s the insane way you’re approaching it that will scare off good nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

[Anonymous]

Put it in the contract.
I think you will have trouble finding someone. I think our contract said something like limited personal use or reasonable or something but not while driving. We fired someone for texting while driving and at least did not have to pay unemployment because the judge agreed that was gross misconduct. I think a lot of people will push back at “no” use because what if their doctor calls? Their mom calls with an emergency? They need to let their spouse know you are running late so they will be home late?
What about when the kid is older and doesn’t nap?
We’ve had 3 nannies, and I don’t think any of them would agree to this.
Just think through what you want the contract to actually say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

The future?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you have to write it into your contract. We didn’t and it hasn’t been an issue at all. We knew from our interview that our nanny was opposed to phone use in front of our son and it hasn’t been an issue for over three years.

It’s like anything else, OP, you put your expectations out there before hiring and keep searching until you find the right person.

+1. Same with our wonderful nanny. But you certainly could add it if you wanted to under agreed upon duties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind would accept that condition.

Get used to it, PP. What OP is talking about is the future. Like nanny cams, get over it or get out.

More like the opposite, troglodyte. Technology and phones are here to stay- get used to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put it in the contract.
I think you will have trouble finding someone. I think our contract said something like limited personal use or reasonable or something but not while driving. We fired someone for texting while driving and at least did not have to pay unemployment because the judge agreed that was gross misconduct. I think a lot of people will push back at “no” use because what if their doctor calls? Their mom calls with an emergency? They need to let their spouse know you are running late so they will be home late?
What about when the kid is older and doesn’t nap?
We’ve had 3 nannies, and I don’t think any of them would agree to this.
Just think through what you want the contract to actually say.

This is a really good point because there are many calls you can only make during business hours (e.g. dealing with an insurance issue). In other jobs, there are breaks.

[Anonymous]

First kid huh?