Any way to not disappoint on bonus this year

[Anonymous]

Our nanny joined us 1.5 years ago when we moved to a new city. She went above and beyond in helping us through the move and surviving 2 under 2 through it. In appreciation for how much her work helped us, I went a bit overboard and gave a very large Xmas bonus with a note thanking her for making such a tough year easier.

This year I’d like to give a more reasonable bonus, still customary (at least 1wks pay, maybe 2) but not as over the top as I did last year. She’s just going to be disappointed no matter what though if it’s less than last year, right? I don’t blame her for that, just wondering if there’s any way to address it short of continuing to do an unsustainable bonus

[Anonymous]

Just talk to her. Explain why. She will understand.

[Anonymous]

Explain that it’s unsustainable. Offer the normal bonus and perhaps extra (paid) days off or something else that she can use. If you offer pto, make sure she can use it when SHE wants.

[Anonymous]

She will be disapointed for sure.

Just put yourself into her shoes and you'll get it.

[Anonymous]

How was her performance this year, taking into account the restrictions imposed by the pandemic including having to be home with working from home parent(s) Did you give her 3 weeks pay as a bonus last time? If she performed well, I wouldn’t do less than 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How was her performance this year, taking into account the restrictions imposed by the pandemic including having to be home with working from home parent(s) Did you give her 3 weeks pay as a bonus last time? If she performed well, I wouldn’t do less than 2 weeks.

She was good, not great, and got extra paid time off a few times for going to large gatherings that I wanted her to get tested after. I paid for the time as I should but it was frustrating that she was taking so many risks against guidelines (eg friends wedding etc). While her job was a little harder this year without so many places to take the kids, I would say with balance she did several things this year that made our lives harder vs the huge bonus last year that was for making our lives easier

[Anonymous]

My bonus went from $1000, to $600 to $200 as the kids got older and my boss didn’t think my job was hard anymore. This year it’s been so hard with homeschooling, so if I don’t receive a sizeable bonus I will stop doing all the extras and the parents can wash their own laundry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How was her performance this year, taking into account the restrictions imposed by the pandemic including having to be home with working from home parent(s) Did you give her 3 weeks pay as a bonus last time? If she performed well, I wouldn’t do less than 2 weeks.

She was good, not great, and got extra paid time off a few times for going to large gatherings that I wanted her to get tested after. I paid for the time as I should but it was frustrating that she was taking so many risks against guidelines (eg friends wedding etc). While her job was a little harder this year without so many places to take the kids, I would say with balance she did several things this year that made our lives harder vs the huge bonus last year that was for making our lives easier

I understand that frustration because I’m dealing with it myself. I think it comes down to whether you want her to come back after the holidays. If yes, pay her the standard nanny bonus of 1-2 weeks. I am giving my nanny one week, which is the same as previous years.

[Anonymous]

I would give her the two weeks, nice note, and a symbolic gift. I think it’s fine for it not to be over the top, so long as you show in other ways you are grateful. Do not explain.

[Anonymous]

Well, I didn’t get a bonus this year, despite working so hard. I’m completely burned out from all the extras. The parents are just so ungrateful, I can’t believe it. The mom keeps talking about how she loves lockdown and has so many great memories. Yeah because I’ve been here making her life easier!!! All that ends now. I’m just doing tasks related to the kids from now on. If my extras aren’t recognized, my boss is going to see how great her lockdown is now without my extras.

[Anonymous]

This thread stresses me out a little. Just gave nanny 1.5 weeks bonus and an extra paid week off beyond our contract. She’s only been with us for half the year. We pay really well for the area but now I’m worried we should have bitten the bullet and done 2 weeks.... our income has gone way way down this year and it was just so much money for a nanny we already pay well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread stresses me out a little. Just gave nanny 1.5 weeks bonus and an extra paid week off beyond our contract. She’s only been with us for half the year. We pay really well for the area but now I’m worried we should have bitten the bullet and done 2 weeks.... our income has gone way way down this year and it was just so much money for a nanny we already pay well.

You're fine. You did an extra week off, and 1-2 weeks is standard for nannies who have been with you all year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread stresses me out a little. Just gave nanny 1.5 weeks bonus and an extra paid week off beyond our contract. She’s only been with us for half the year. We pay really well for the area but now I’m worried we should have bitten the bullet and done 2 weeks.... our income has gone way way down this year and it was just so much money for a nanny we already pay well.

You're fine. You did an extra week off, and 1-2 weeks is standard for nannies who have been with you all year.

You are dreaming. If you had her doing DL, the bonus should be even larger. Tell her. You are going to be looking for a new namny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread stresses me out a little. Just gave nanny 1.5 weeks bonus and an extra paid week off beyond our contract. She’s only been with us for half the year. We pay really well for the area but now I’m worried we should have bitten the bullet and done 2 weeks.... our income has gone way way down this year and it was just so much money for a nanny we already pay well.

You're fine. You did an extra week off, and 1-2 weeks is standard for nannies who have been with you all year.

You are dreaming. If you had her doing DL, the bonus should be even larger. Tell her. You are going to be looking for a new namny.

You’re are being ridiculous. Nanny was only there half the year so prorating would equal half a week-1 week. 1.5 weeks plus an extra week off is extremely generous and OP already pays nanny well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread stresses me out a little. Just gave nanny 1.5 weeks bonus and an extra paid week off beyond our contract. She’s only been with us for half the year. We pay really well for the area but now I’m worried we should have bitten the bullet and done 2 weeks.... our income has gone way way down this year and it was just so much money for a nanny we already pay well.

Does your employer feel the same? It doesn't matter because she took care of your children and you're too chest to give her two weeks bonus. I hope she finds a more generous and appreciative employer than you!