Please, please tell me honestly...

[Anonymous]

$1 an hour is a reasonable increase to ask for. However, if you are earning $18 per hour for one baby, you are already at the top of the market in DC. You should definitely ask, but don't feel slighted if they tell you that they think your current rate is appropriate. Raises are never automatic, and every job has a ceiling above which the employee might be worth more, but the job may not be.

[Anonymous]

$1 per hour is 5.5% raise if you already are at $18 -- closer to top of the market. While not unheard of, typical raises in corporate world are 1-3% year, with maybe best employees getting 4-4.5% at my company. I think MB will comparing it to what she gets at work, and 5.5% is kind of too high. I'd ask for 2.5%-3% raise not more.

[Anonymous]

Yes, ask for $1 an hour raise - but also add a few other "perks" that you are willing to let go of just so the parents feel they are negotiation - more vacation, more personal time, a shift in hours, etc. A good negotiation makes everyone come out a "winner".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, ask for $1 an hour raise - but also add a few other "perks" that you are willing to let go of just so the parents feel they are negotiation - more vacation, more personal time, a shift in hours, etc. A good negotiation makes everyone come out a "winner".

*** sorry, I meant "add a few other perks that you are willing to let go of so the parents feel they are negotiating..."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$1 per hour is 5.5% raise if you already are at $18 -- closer to top of the market. While not unheard of, typical raises in corporate world are 1-3% year, with maybe best employees getting 4-4.5% at my company. I think MB will comparing it to what she gets at work, and 5.5% is kind of too high. I'd ask for 2.5%-3% raise not more.

This logic makes sense when you're talking about employees making tons of money. If 1% equates to a few cents per hour, it really is insulting. That isn't even enough to notice after taxes. In THIS industry, $1/hour increase annually is the norm. Now the fact that OP is already at the top of the market is the true issue here, but there is no reason to negotiate with yourself. Ask for the $1/hour increase and let them counter if they want. If they flat out refuse, perhaps you can negotiate another form of compensation increase (more vacation?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$1 per hour is 5.5% raise if you already are at $18 -- closer to top of the market. While not unheard of, typical raises in corporate world are 1-3% year, with maybe best employees getting 4-4.5% at my company. I think MB will comparing it to what she gets at work, and 5.5% is kind of too high. I'd ask for 2.5%-3% raise not more.

This logic makes sense when you're talking about employees making tons of money. If 1% equates to a few cents per hour, it really is insulting. That isn't even enough to notice after taxes. In THIS industry, $1/hour increase annually is the norm. Now the fact that OP is already at the top of the market is the true issue here, but there is no reason to negotiate with yourself. Ask for the $1/hour increase and let them counter if they want. If they flat out refuse, perhaps you can negotiate another form of compensation increase (more vacation?).

Hate to break it to you, it is not the norm in THIS industry, it is a hope and dream for the nannies on this board but honestly is a rare thing.

[Anonymous]

I think you are being very reasonable here.