Why are nannies treated like both hourly and salaried employees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PS how many employers posting here would take a job that involves being paid only when you are needed and that is at the employer's discretion? If you get paid 4 digits a year maybe. If you get paid 2 digits a year no can do.

You are describing literally every hourly job. Even highly skilled ones, like nursing, are subject to the employer’s needs. If you’re not getting enough hours at your employer, you look for a different employer.

There is such a thing called contract attorneys paid by the hour, called and sent home by the law firm's discretion. The going rate is about $32/hour. They of course don't get paid for snow days or days or hours not worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always feel like we are kind of getting screwed in this situation too.

We typically need 45-48 hours of care per week.

When we go on vacation or there’s a snow day or even if our nanny takes the week off, we still pay her, but I don’t feel I should have to pay the 5-8 hours of overtime (and if I do, I don’t feel it should be at time and a half). I feel it should be her rate based on a 40 hour week.

Same with when there’s a holiday. Like I’m happy to pay for major holidays, but let’s say Monday is the 4th of July and then she works tues-Friday that week, but it only comes out to 32 hours because it’s a lighter week than normal and she was off on Monday. Why do I have to pay her the same as if she worked a 48 hour week? Why do I still have to pay for 5-8 hours of overtime? I feel I should only have to pay for a 40 hour week.

Our nanny seems to feel like she is entitled to the exact same pay, 52 weeks of the year, regardless of what’s actually happening snd if I try to cut it back based on the above, she gets upset and confused.

Um no. Per the IRS you do not pay for OT not worked. I guarantee 40 hrs a week and she usually works 45 total and we discuss those at the beginning of the week. For snow days if she cannot get here because her driveway is bad or car is stuck i go and get her if i can since my street is a main street and gets plowed. If i cant get out then its bad enough I'm not going to work either and she gets a paid day off (its pretty rare though). And since DH works from home sometimes i get her later in the morning like 10 am once my street is clear.

[Anonymous]

How many days does it snow a year where this six page discussion is relevant? Are some of you transplants to.AK?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many days does it snow a year where this six page discussion is relevant? Are some of you transplants to.AK?

Exactly. Snow is such a one off event in DC. If this were Boston, I’d get it, but people are up in arms over the inconvenience of one or two snow days a year.

What are you going to do when your kids are in school? Snow days, two hour delays, las second announcements. Plus teacher planning days and other random days off. You will miss your reliable nanny who was too didn’t want to come in on a snow day that I’ve time SO MUCH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will preface this saying I do not have a nanny, but here are my thoughts. If she misses a day of work due to snow, why would you pay her for that day? It seems to me, she should either use a vacation day or take it unpaid.

Employers of nanny’s shouldn’t be so cheap to complain about paying a snow days.

There are lots of employees who don't get paid if they make the choice not to show up for work. Why are nannies different? If I don't want to go to work on a snowy day and my company has not made the call to be closed, I have to take a day of leave. Why is it "cheap" not to pay someone for work they didn't do?

It’s a racket.

The nannies on this thread can think of no valid reason why they demand to be paid when they don’t work, so they resort to name-calling.

Glad the kids have aged out of the need a bitfor child care.

Employer of a nanny here.

The difference - and this is key - is that when you employ someone to care for your mids, you are a lot more invested than a corporation employing a non-exempt (hourly) worker. So you end up paying for snow days because, this person wipes your kids hands before and after they eat. And plays games with them. And maybe drives them places. So you just pay because it’s the right thing to do and you’re more connected to them as a human. Vs just being employee number 1238594 who works at XYZ Corp.

[Anonymous]

It seems so many posters here hate paying their nanny and refuse to acknowledge the benefits of having someone come into your home to take care of your children. Employing a nanny is an expensive luxury. It’s not for the cheap or those on a budget. There are so many different types of daycares available that it’s laughable the Op even made this thread. Fire your nanny and put your child in daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hourly employees cannot accrue compensatory tme because to many cheap employers like you never allow them to take their compensatory time off. As you are so outraged about then you or your DH should quit our jobs and stay home and take care of your own children. Otherwise, shut up.

Geez! NP here. Do you have to be so obnoxious? It’s annoying to everyone reading this thread. If you are so offended then take your nastiness elsewhere.

Dp. I’m not offended but you sure seem wounded. The truth can sting. The choices are simple, quit your job to raise your kids or put them in daycare or pay your nanny.

[Anonymous]

I accrued paid vacation and paid sick leave in all of my full time hourly positions (non-nanny). I was also paid for inclement weather days.