Why our babysitting job doesn't have applicants?

[Anonymous]

Oregon's minimum wage is 8.95 it goes up to 9.10 per hr in 2014. The grammar to me would be a red flag and the pay as well. If I read it I would think the job is a scam.

[Anonymous]

I remember the ad..I'm from Portland, and the rate was too low for me to bother responding to. $13 is my minimum. Being foreign wouldn't bother me but I would be concerned that you're controlling of women since you pay low and don't let you're wife handle the childcare details. Its a red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Well, OP, you're paying an illegal rate. And a rate so incredibly low that it's not worth anyone's time. If you can't raise the rate, then you won't be able to find anyone.

+1000

Pay a reasonable rate or trade childcare with friends/family because $7/hr is below minimum wage and insanely unreasonable for two toddlers.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure about Oregon, but in DC you would not even find a 12 yr available to babysit. and for two toddlers. I agree with others, the pay is really too low (I would be concerned to leave two babies with somebody who accepts such a low pay), and all other circumstances (foreign, no wife in the picture in dealing with the babysitter) would make the ad suspicious or non interesting. raise the pay or if you cannot afford it, try to find or organize a babysitting exchange with other parents

[Anonymous]

If you can only afford to pay a babysitter $7/hour then watch your own damn kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You say low pay - what is the rate?

How many hours is this? Is it for just a date night or something every week on the same day?

How many children? & ages

These cannot be main reasons for sitters go away, because these all are stated in ad and even so the sitters are replied to the ad. Only just my first contact they go away.

Anonymous wrote:You say babysitter so you will get just that - are you expecting someone to do the dishes, laundry? Tutor kids?

I have not put anything to the ad or told sitters about that, but the duties are: babysitting, changing diapers, preparing food to the children and cleaning their mess. The most important information about the job is in the ad and they are: 4 hours at once, 2 times a week, 2 toddlers, ages 20 months, and $7 per hour.

OP

I would hope by now that you're clear on why no one is responding to your job listing. You're not even paying minimum wage and you're only offering 16 hours per week. Sitters will want to be compensated more when working part-time and also, you should be willing to pay at least $10/he to find someone who will just baby sit, no one of quality, but they will watch your kids. You should be offering at least $15/hour if you want a quality sitter/nanny

[Anonymous]

I understand that $7/h is very low. That's why I put the salary to the ad, that anyone who don't accept so low pay wouldn't reply. I don't assume that I got very experienced and committed nanny. On the contrary I think that someone who need an entry level job or an extra part time work would be interested. May be teenagers who have graduated and don't have job and don't study can be also interested.

I appreciate all comments. They are very helpful when I going to continue searching a babysitter. I think all mentioned reasons are relevant: foreign email, I am man, bad grammar, and of course the pay is low.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember the ad..I'm from Portland, and the rate was too low for me to bother responding to. $13 is my minimum. Being foreign wouldn't bother me but I would be concerned that you're controlling of women since you pay low and don't let you're wife handle the childcare details. Its a red flag.

That is an interesting comment, "controlling of women" I wouldn't have guess. I would be happy if my wife handled childcare details. May be I have to tempt her to do that.

OP

[Anonymous]

I also wonder, where an interview should be do? I have invited possible candidates to our home. May be this also drive out them.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand that $7/h is very low. That's why I put the salary to the ad, that anyone who don't accept so low pay wouldn't reply. I don't assume that I got very experienced and committed nanny. On the contrary I think that someone who need an entry level job or an extra part time work would be interested. May be teenagers who have graduated and don't have job and don't study can be also interested.

I appreciate all comments. They are very helpful when I going to continue searching a babysitter. I think all mentioned reasons are relevant: foreign email, I am man, bad grammar, and of course the pay is low.

OP

OP I'm going to say it again because you don't seem to be listening. Your rate is not "low". Its illegal. In the US we have a minimum wage that all employers must pay their employees at a very minimum. No one with any business near your kids will work for less than minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Your state minimum wage is actually higher, $8.95/hour, and is the one you must abide by. The lowest you are allowed to pay someone is $8.95/hour. Teenagers can make more than you are offering at any other job, they aren't going to want yours. You MUST increase the pay, and if you can't, you have no business hiring someone. Put your kids in daycare, have them stay with family, or watch them yourself. Those are your choices.

[Anonymous]

OP, your English is getting suspiciously worse with each post...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your English is getting suspiciously worse with each post...

Hahahaha, exactly my thoughts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that $7/h is very low. That's why I put the salary to the ad, that anyone who don't accept so low pay wouldn't reply. I don't assume that I got very experienced and committed nanny. On the contrary I think that someone who need an entry level job or an extra part time work would be interested. May be teenagers who have graduated and don't have job and don't study can be also interested.

I appreciate all comments. They are very helpful when I going to continue searching a babysitter. I think all mentioned reasons are relevant: foreign email, I am man, bad grammar, and of course the pay is low.

OP

OP I'm going to say it again because you don't seem to be listening. Your rate is not "low". Its illegal. In the US we have a minimum wage that all employers must pay their employees at a very minimum. No one with any business near your kids will work for less than minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Your state minimum wage is actually higher, $8.95/hour, and is the one you must abide by. The lowest you are allowed to pay someone is $8.95/hour. Teenagers can make more than you are offering at any other job, they aren't going to want yours. You MUST increase the pay, and if you can't, you have no business hiring someone. Put your kids in daycare, have them stay with family, or watch them yourself. Those are your choices.

AGREE! OP it's not low it is ILLEGAL.
I realize you say it's only for a few hours twice a week, but that doesn't mean you can pay under minimum wage.

[Anonymous]

OP, look for a nanny within the immigrant community. Some people from your country may have bored parents/grandparents who'd be happy to help out and to speak their native language.

[Anonymous]

The discussion was relevant and I got good advices, but when I told my hourly rate, all commentators nag about minimum salary. I almost guessed that, but did that even so.

I did some researches about salaries. Below are some salaries from glassdoor.com. You see that large companies pay also below minimum salary. I think that caring babies is more interesting job than a cashier and people would choose the former, if salary were same.

Ross Sales Associate - Hourly $7-$10 Avg. Salary $7.90/hr
Ross Cashier - Hourly $7-$9 Avg. Salary $7.73
Walmart Sales Associate - Hourly $7-$18 Avg. Salary $8.86/hr
Target Cashier - Hourly $6-$12 Avg. Salary $8.10/hr

OP