Anonymous wrote:Had an awkward situation with our nanny and not quite sure how to put it all behind us. Our nanny works a couple hours overtime 2-3 times per month if DH and I have to work late or have something at the kids’ school. Three weeks ago she worked 3 hours overtime so we paid her an extra $75 on top of her weekly salary. We pay her in cash, and when I went to the ATM I had taken out some extra money as well for myself but forgot to separate it out so I ended up giving the nanny an extra $60. I didn’t realize it until 2 days later when I could not find the money. Nanny did not say anything about the extra money.
On Monday morning when she came in to work I mentioned that I gave her an extra $60 accidentally and that she can just keep it for now, and we can deduct it from her overtime the next time she babysits. She said ok and confirmed she had received the extra money - said she just assumed we were giving her extra.
So, this week we had her work late on Wednesday night and then she was off Thursday and Friday. We paid her for the full week and since she worked 3 hours of overtime again so I owed her $75 but deducted the $60 and paid her just the extra $15 on top of her salary. When I gave her the cash I mentioned that I deducted the $60 from when we overpaid and she kind of looked at me blankly and nodded. Later that night when she got home she texted me that she wanted to check in because her money was a little short. I explained again that I had overpaid her by $60 and we owed her $75 so the difference is $15 which I paid her. She seems thoroughly confused and keeps asking why we didn’t pay her the full amount. I keep explaining but she just seems extremely confused and annoyed.
I feel like this has now become a “thing” when it really should not have. At this point she stopped responding to my texts and i tried to call her because I thought it would be easier to explain over the phone but she didn’t answer. Part of me just wants to smooth this over but at the same time I am not sure I love how she is handling the situation since I feel like she genuinely believe we held back money from her when we did not.
What would you do here?
So you have a nanny who is good to your kids, you trust and who works extra hours on your whims with no problem. Yet you are fighting with her over $60? What the f is wrong with you? She is most likely living pay check to pay check. You have put her in financial stress. Maybe she could not afford to eat this week? I know how hard it is to get a nanny who you trust and fits in with your family. You apologize to her and make her whole.
Also are you paying her social security? How does that work when you start deducting from her pay check. Do you have a contract with her? What does your contract say about deduction from her pay check? If she work x hours you have to pay her for x hours. You can not just deduct money from her paycheck. Unless you are paying her under the table?