Simply Solution for nanny who doesn't get paid whenever family doesn't need her

[Anonymous]

When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

Well said. If they stop paying you, they stop being your employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

See the thing is, just like new nannies don't know to ask for this, new employers don't know to offer it. Most of us have had hourly jobs, and were not paid when we were not scheduled, for whatever reason. Nannies are in a unique position where many get both the benefits of a salary (guaranteed hours) and the benefits of hourly work (OT). It makes sense, but it is not necessarily what people with no experience expect. So you should ask for it and explain yourself graciously and professionally. Even though the request is reasonable, if the family didn't budget for it, they will need to adjust.

Purposely screwing them over is extremely unprofessional and unwarranted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

See the thing is, just like new nannies don't know to ask for this, new employers don't know to offer it. Most of us have had hourly jobs, and were not paid when we were not scheduled, for whatever reason. Nannies are in a unique position where many get both the benefits of a salary (guaranteed hours) and the benefits of hourly work (OT). It makes sense, but it is not necessarily what people with no experience expect. So you should ask for it and explain yourself graciously and professionally. Even though the request is reasonable, if the family didn't budget for it, they will need to adjust.

Purposely screwing them over is extremely unprofessional and unwarranted.

In what job did you get unexpectly laid off without pay, so your boss could go to the beach for a few weeks, and you sat home until your boss needed you again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

See the thing is, just like new nannies don't know to ask for this, new employers don't know to offer it. Most of us have had hourly jobs, and were not paid when we were not scheduled, for whatever reason. Nannies are in a unique position where many get both the benefits of a salary (guaranteed hours) and the benefits of hourly work (OT). It makes sense, but it is not necessarily what people with no experience expect. So you should ask for it and explain yourself graciously and professionally. Even though the request is reasonable, if the family didn't budget for it, they will need to adjust.

Purposely screwing them over is extremely unprofessional and unwarranted.

Yes, the family will need to adjust their budget if they didn't think this through. Frankly, that's not the nanny's problem.

The employers' problem: will need to figure out how to pay their nanny if they want to keep her.

The nanny's problem: will need to find a new job if her employers won't pay her.

Quitting her job so she can find another one where she will be paid for her time is not "purposely screwing them over." It's ensuring she has enough of an income to pay her rent, purchase groceries, put gas in her car...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I took my first nanny position, I didn't realize there would be an issue of parents canceling and not paying me, so I didn't know I needed to negotiate for it. When they decided to take two, 3-week vacations that year (outside of the holidays) without paying me, I was in a serious bind. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant and I still think it is wrong to do that to a nanny.

So yes, nannies *should* negotiate this upfront. Not all nannies know that they need to, either because they've never encountered it before or because they're new to the profession. In a case like that, I absolutely agree the nanny should give her notice shortly before the employers leave on vacation and move on to another position. There is nothing unprofessional about that.

See the thing is, just like new nannies don't know to ask for this, new employers don't know to offer it. Most of us have had hourly jobs, and were not paid when we were not scheduled, for whatever reason. Nannies are in a unique position where many get both the benefits of a salary (guaranteed hours) and the benefits of hourly work (OT). It makes sense, but it is not necessarily what people with no experience expect. So you should ask for it and explain yourself graciously and professionally. Even though the request is reasonable, if the family didn't budget for it, they will need to adjust.

Purposely screwing them over is extremely unprofessional and unwarranted.

Yes, the family will need to adjust their budget if they didn't think this through. Frankly, that's not the nanny's problem.

The employers' problem: will need to figure out how to pay their nanny if they want to keep her.

The nanny's problem: will need to find a new job if her employers won't pay her.

Quitting her job so she can find another one where she will be paid for her time is not "purposely screwing them over." It's ensuring she has enough of an income to pay her rent, purchase groceries, put gas in her car...

Exactly. The sense of entitlement of some employers who think they can pay you when they feel like it (they aren't going to Paris this week), is astounding. When you layoff employees without pay, they get another job. Duh. (Most nannies don't have a sugar daddy to pay the bills.)

[Anonymous]

What about an employer who wants to change your contract after a year of working with them and decides they do not want to pay you for the time they take in vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about an employer who wants to change your contract after a year of working with them and decides they do not want to pay you for the time they take in vacation.

I'd think they can't afford to have a nanny anymore.

[Anonymous]

I'm in this bind right now. Our contact states I have guaranteed hours and we even discussed what that meant verbally. The family just returned from vacation and didn't pay me for the time they were gone. Next month they are going away again, but this time for weeks. I need the hours and income, so I can't just quit. Do I stuck it up and try to find temporary work for the few weeks, or should I start looking for a new job permanently?

[Anonymous]

11:15 your situation is entirely different from a nanny who fails to negotiate upfront for guaranteed hours. What happened when you spoke to your employers after they didn't pay you for the previous vacation? If you have a written contract, you should have a copy with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in this bind right now. Our contact states I have guaranteed hours and we even discussed what that meant verbally. The family just returned from vacation and didn't pay me for the time they were gone. Next month they are going away again, but this time for weeks. I need the hours and income, so I can't just quit. Do I stuck it up and try to find temporary work for the few weeks, or should I start looking for a new job permanently?

If they don't pay you, they don't respect you. Line up a new permanent job.

[Anonymous]

Take them to Small Claims Court and ask for all back pay plus expenses. Also report them to local wage and labor board. Start looking for new job, when you have new job, quit and and do not give them notice.

[Anonymous]

I agree with small claims if the amount of hours lost is worth it to you. I don't think that the state employment office or wage and labor could do anything as this is guaranteed hours not hours worked. If your employers were not paying you for hours worked or not paying you at the base/OT rate agreed to in your contract, they would be the right organization. Guaranteed hours is more of a contract issue so small claims would be the right place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Abusive employers should be unhappy. So nannies, choose potential employers wisely. Get references from their former caregivers. It's a red flag if they're uncomfortable with that. Would any of you MBs have a problem with that?

[Anonymous]

This might be a satisfying fantasy, but it’s unprofessional conduct.

What you should actually do, if terms were not negotiated up front: Use the impending vacation as an opportunity to discuss the issue. Mention that you might find it difficult to sustain the job long term if you cannot count on your weekly salary in most circumstances.

If you do not reach an understanding, apply to other jobs. If you get a comparable one with this benefit, then quit and give 2 weeks notice. If you like, stress that you really enjoy the family but that you simply need to leave for the better offer.

Message sent, no pettiness, no lack of professionalism.