Nanny is pregnant--compensation during leave?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, did you get paid when you took maternity leave? Maybe you saved up your PTO of 30 days and accumulated leave so you were paid. Sad, that nannies do not have this benefit because they only get, if they are lucky, 10 days off per yr.

The nanny is taking two months off, not one. It was likely that they were just making ends meet when she got pregnant with #3. It is hardly the fault of her employer that the nanny is having financial problems.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't think there are any hidden sources of income for someone on maternity leave.

If you expect her to return to work with you, and if she's been with you a while, is there any way you could creatively "repurpose" some amount of compensation she would otherwise be getting from you? Would you give her an annual bonus, or a raise, or does she have any accrued vacation? I'm just wondering if you could give her a bit of income during her time off if you gave her a bonus now, or let her use accrued vacation (not sick) leave for a week or two of her time off. If you were really certainly she'd be coming back to work for you perhaps you could even consider saying that in lieu of a raise next year you're going to pay her part time for a month (or whatever math works) or something like that?

Obviously with anything like that you're taking a risk that you're putting money into someone who might not return, or might not stay very long, but maybe it's the kind of thing you'd be willing to do for someone who's proven.

But as for finding money somewhere else? Pretty tough to get for what is considered a voluntary kind of absence (as opposed to injury or loss of a job).

[Anonymous]

^^OP said she can't provide compensation because she is paying for someone to cover the nanny's two months off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Sad, that nannies do not have this benefit "

willing to be almost no one employees of family owned businesses that rely entirely on their 1 employee to "run" things give this benefit. It is not at all unusual that families do not give paid maternity leave as they will need to pay someone else out of pocket while nanny is gone.

I give nanny PTO that i can afford to cover myself - not so much that i have to pay someone else while she is gone. That would make no sense.

I'm surprised you have children as you are so effing wonderful, you're too wonderful to eff.

What?? I'm not the PP. But really, what are you trying to say/prove here??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^OP said she can't provide compensation because she is paying for someone to cover the nanny's two months off.

Yes, I'm aware of that, but I was encouraging her to think creatively if she can. I couldn't afford to pay two nannies either, but I might be able to pull some money from savings now, instead of an end of the year bonus, to help my nanny if I really wanted to try to help her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^OP said she can't provide compensation because she is paying for someone to cover the nanny's two months off.

Yes, I'm aware of that, but I was encouraging her to think creatively if she can. I couldn't afford to pay two nannies either, but I might be able to pull some money from savings now, instead of an end of the year bonus, to help my nanny if I really wanted to try to help her.

I see. Perhaps OP could do a short-term, interest-free loan. I have done that for trusted household employees.

[Anonymous]

OP here, Thanks to everyone who offered thoughtful comments. Ohh, to live in California! I was reading up on their disability program just yesterday. It's a great safety net for families but not our reality here in DC.
I mentioned the food stamp option and will revisit that. STD is not an option, at least from our families (we are in a share). As for what we do offer her, I think we would be more than happy to let her paid vacation count toward her time away. I will mention. Not totally sure we can do an additional gift but it's worth thinking about, or offering instead of a raise. Really good ideas.
And to answer one post, yes, I did get 2 months of partially-paid time off for my little one. I wish I could do the same. I will get on my soapbox for a bit, and just say it's ridiculous that we live in a nation where our social systems don't provide more to help our families. Yes, she's having a third child with her husband. It happens. Why are we the only developed nation that leaves it completely on indivdiual families to navigate the rising cost of raising children? Our nation is losing ground socially, educationally, and economically. One of our best investments is to help our smallest ones have a strong start in life. But for some reason, those in power in this great nation don't get it! And we don't vote for these priorities. Ok, getting off my box now. Thanks all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, Thanks to everyone who offered thoughtful comments. Ohh, to live in California! I was reading up on their disability program just yesterday. It's a great safety net for families but not our reality here in DC.
I mentioned the food stamp option and will revisit that. STD is not an option, at least from our families (we are in a share). As for what we do offer her, I think we would be more than happy to let her paid vacation count toward her time away. I will mention. Not totally sure we can do an additional gift but it's worth thinking about, or offering instead of a raise. Really good ideas.
And to answer one post, yes, I did get 2 months of partially-paid time off for my little one. I wish I could do the same. I will get on my soapbox for a bit, and just say it's ridiculous that we live in a nation where our social systems don't provide more to help our families. Yes, she's having a third child with her husband. It happens. Why are we the only developed nation that leaves it completely on indivdiual families to navigate the rising cost of raising children? Our nation is losing ground socially, educationally, and economically. One of our best investments is to help our smallest ones have a strong start in life. But for some reason, those in power in this great nation don't get it! And we don't vote for these priorities. Ok, getting off my box now. Thanks all.

You sound like a really great employer OP, and your nanny is lucky to have you. For many nannies, the issue of income during maternity leave is a big one, but one they often don't even get to because they are fired on the spot or soon after informing their bosses that they are expecting. The attitude is generally that we are there to care for their children, but no one gives a flying flip about our families'.

[Anonymous]

What is your nanny going to do for childcare when she returns to work? Family (free) care or will she bring the baby with her? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your nanny going to do for childcare when she returns to work? Family (free) care or will she bring the baby with her? Just curious.

I believe she will she will engage a family friend, tho I'm not totally sure. We've talked about her bringing the baby with her but she feels it would be too difficult to have a newborn and two babies under 2 years old. I'm pretty sure she's right about that!

[Anonymous]

Don't let her bring her baby to work. It will be an incredible hassle to you and of no benefit, unless, of course, you want to decrease her pay to accommodate a nanny share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't let her bring her baby to work. It will be an incredible hassle to you and of no benefit, unless, of course, you want to decrease her pay to accommodate a nanny share.

Do you not tire of stirring up the same old pot?

[Anonymous]

California is not the only state to offer disability leave.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_disability_benefits

[Anonymous]

I believe she will she will engage a family friend, tho I'm not totally sure. We've talked about her bringing the baby with her but she feels it would be too difficult to have a newborn and two babies under 2 years old. I'm pretty sure she's right about that!

Your nanny is absolutely right. Bringing along her newborn with two other babies under 2 years old will not work!

[Anonymous]

Maybe your nanny can set up a small childcare business in her own home and have a total of two babies under two.