Can I legally ask a nanny candidate if she has children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny employers usually feel that basic laws don’t apply to them. Funny how women fought for the rights that they themselves refuse to extend to their own employees. Hypocrites.

In all fairness, they are hiring a person to come into their home and take care of their children. The job is more personal in nature, so I would expect that the interview questions would be more personal in nature.

I hire people to come I to the office and do their jobs and I do not expect them to bring their problems with children to work but they do. Taking off time to take kids to doctor appts. Leaving early for something kid related hearing about how kid finally used potty. I hate hearing about your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell you where to shove it and leave.

And I would say good riddance. If I can't ask you a very basic question like "Do you have any children?" then I don't want you watching my babies. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

dp what if she asked you why are you asking? What would you say?

I'd tell her the truth: "I'm curious to know if you have parenting experience, yourself."

I ask dog sitters if they own dogs, why wouldn't I ask a nanny if she/he had kids of their own? It's so strange that some of you consider that to be a taboo question and an affirmative answer "Yes, I have 2 children," as a reason to NOT hire someone. That would be like refusing to hire a dog sitter because the dog sitter owns a dog.

I'm hiring someone to watch and safeguard my children. Of course I want to know the extent of their childcare experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell you where to shove it and leave.

And I would say good riddance. If I can't ask you a very basic question like "Do you have any children?" then I don't want you watching my babies. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

dp what if she asked you why are you asking? What would you say?

I'd tell her the truth: "I'm curious to know if you have parenting experience, yourself."

I ask dog sitters if they own dogs, why wouldn't I ask a nanny if she/he had kids of their own? It's so strange that some of you consider that to be a taboo question and an affirmative answer "Yes, I have 2 children," as a reason to NOT hire someone. That would be like refusing to hire a dog sitter because the dog sitter owns a dog.

I'm hiring someone to watch and safeguard my children. Of course I want to know the extent of their childcare experience.

"Watch and safeguard"? That's the very definition of a "custodial caregiver". You should have higher expectations, but it's not cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you all automatically assume that OP wanted to use the question to exclude mothers? What about wanting a nanny with experience as a mother and not wanting to hire a child-free or younger woman?

DCUM is so defensive! On every forum and on every thread, someone is taking the topic so personally - no matter what it is about. Is this what life is like in DC?

I thought the same thing and thought I missed something. Is it okay to discriminate against a woman who was never a mother?

[Anonymous]

"Tell me about your experience caring for children"

Should be the opening line of any nanny interview. Its not an illegal question.