Nanny holiday bonus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't listen to cheapos.

Most families will give a holiday bonus. It's usually 1 week's pay. Cheap families will tell you there's no minimum. They'll give you a $20 gift card that was given to them before.

Cheap.

I'm an MB who employs a nanny. I hired the nanny through neighbor referrals, during which I learned what at least 6 families in my neighborhood (suburban DC) are paying. I'm also in a parenting group where we share rate information. And I have 4 friends/family members who currently employ nannies - most of them for at least 2 years or more now.

In my first year (2 1/2 yrs ago) as a nanny employer I surveyed every other employer I knew about hourly rates, bonuses, benefits, etc... Of the roughly dozen who gave me actual info 2 people said they gave approximately a week's pay as bonus - though one of them clarified that they gave the equivalent of a week's net pay - not gross. 7 people said they gave a cash gift of a few hundred dollars. Three said they gave $100-200 bonus and some nice presents. Several people said they also gave additional time off around the holidays and considered that something of a bonus as well. (Paid time off)

It's impossible to get accurate data of course, given the nature of nanny employment (there is no source that tracks this information, nor is everyone paid in a trackable way). But that is why it's impossible to say what the norm is.

My sample felt solid and consistent to me. One week's pay was the high end, and more of the exception. Everyone gave something far more significant than a $20 gift card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't listen to cheapos.

Most families will give a holiday bonus. It's usually 1 week's pay. Cheap families will tell you there's no minimum. They'll give you a $20 gift card that was given to them before.

Cheap.

I'm an MB who employs a nanny. I hired the nanny through neighbor referrals, during which I learned what at least 6 families in my neighborhood (suburban DC) are paying. I'm also in a parenting group where we share rate information. And I have 4 friends/family members who currently employ nannies - most of them for at least 2 years or more now.

In my first year (2 1/2 yrs ago) as a nanny employer I surveyed every other employer I knew about hourly rates, bonuses, benefits, etc... Of the roughly dozen who gave me actual info 2 people said they gave approximately a week's pay as bonus - though one of them clarified that they gave the equivalent of a week's net pay - not gross. 7 people said they gave a cash gift of a few hundred dollars. Three said they gave $100-200 bonus and some nice presents. Several people said they also gave additional time off around the holidays and considered that something of a bonus as well. (Paid time off)

It's impossible to get accurate data of course, given the nature of nanny employment (there is no source that tracks this information, nor is everyone paid in a trackable way). But that is why it's impossible to say what the norm is.

My sample felt solid and consistent to me. One week's pay was the high end, and more of the exception. Everyone gave something far more significant than a $20 gift card.

Agree in our family and friend circles too. $200-400 depending on performance or issues plus a physical gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't listen to cheapos.

Most families will give a holiday bonus. It's usually 1 week's pay. Cheap families will tell you there's no minimum. They'll give you a $20 gift card that was given to them before.

Cheap.

I'm an MB who employs a nanny. I hired the nanny through neighbor referrals, during which I learned what at least 6 families in my neighborhood (suburban DC) are paying. I'm also in a parenting group where we share rate information. And I have 4 friends/family members who currently employ nannies - most of them for at least 2 years or more now.

In my first year (2 1/2 yrs ago) as a nanny employer I surveyed every other employer I knew about hourly rates, bonuses, benefits, etc... Of the roughly dozen who gave me actual info 2 people said they gave approximately a week's pay as bonus - though one of them clarified that they gave the equivalent of a week's net pay - not gross. 7 people said they gave a cash gift of a few hundred dollars. Three said they gave $100-200 bonus and some nice presents. Several people said they also gave additional time off around the holidays and considered that something of a bonus as well. (Paid time off)

It's impossible to get accurate data of course, given the nature of nanny employment (there is no source that tracks this information, nor is everyone paid in a trackable way). But that is why it's impossible to say what the norm is.

My sample felt solid and consistent to me. One week's pay was the high end, and more of the exception. Everyone gave something far more significant than a $20 gift card.

Agree in our family and friend circles too. $200-400 depending on performance or issues plus a physical gift.

I believe what you all are saying, but in my experience as a nanny I have always received a week's pay. If you gave me $200, I would take it as a message about your satisfaction with my job performance, be offended (not to your face) and likely begin looking for a new position. All of that is to say, whatever you decide to give, if less than the traditional week's pay, you might want to also make an effort to let her know if you are pleased with her performance.

[Anonymous]

Oh for god's sake. Let go of the "traditional/standard/norm" stuff already.

If you've been blessed w/ big bonuses that's great. But it simply isn't a "standard" - as is clear from the employer responses here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh for god's sake. Let go of the "traditional/standard/norm" stuff already.

If you've been blessed w/ big bonuses that's great. But it simply isn't a "standard" - as is clear from the employer responses here.

It is traditional and standard, like it or not. This is an old old industry that was once unique to royalty and upperclass. What you see represented here is the watering down of it with the influx of middle class, read:stretching to afford, people ignorant of the norms of the industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for god's sake. Let go of the "traditional/standard/norm" stuff already.

If you've been blessed w/ big bonuses that's great. But it simply isn't a "standard" - as is clear from the employer responses here.

It is traditional and standard, like it or not. This is an old old industry that was once unique to royalty and upperclass. What you see represented here is the watering down of it with the influx of middle class, read:stretching to afford, people ignorant of the norms of the industry.

And their nannies were essentially indentured servants, expected to be on call and on site 24/7 (or maybe 24/6 + 12/1). They got a week's pay because they weren't making a living wage (why should they? they were the servant class and lived in servants' quarters or with the children), and if they never left the family's employ, as an old single person with no life of their own, they might get a small pension.

Mary Poppins worked for a middle class family who regularly fired nannies, you may remember.

[Anonymous]

my nanny isn't on dcum playing matchy matchy terms getting inflated, unrealistic expectations so I don't have to worry about some of the above prissy nanny attitudes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for god's sake. Let go of the "traditional/standard/norm" stuff already.

If you've been blessed w/ big bonuses that's great. But it simply isn't a "standard" - as is clear from the employer responses here.

It is traditional and standard, like it or not. This is an old old industry that was once unique to royalty and upperclass. What you see represented here is the watering down of it with the influx of middle class, read:stretching to afford, people ignorant of the norms of the industry.

And their nannies were essentially indentured servants, expected to be on call and on site 24/7 (or maybe 24/6 + 12/1). They got a week's pay because they weren't making a living wage (why should they? they were the servant class and lived in servants' quarters or with the children), and if they never left the family's employ, as an old single person with no life of their own, they might get a small pension.

Mary Poppins worked for a middle class family who regularly fired nannies, you may remember.

Okay? No one said anything about the conditions under which they worked. I'm simply disagreeing with the idea that there is no traditional standard. There is, and many nannies expect it. Just like no nanny job is the same, but there are standard expectations and duties, whether some nannies want to admit it or not. See? Goes both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh for god's sake. Let go of the "traditional/standard/norm" stuff already.

If you've been blessed w/ big bonuses that's great. But it simply isn't a "standard" - as is clear from the employer responses here.

It is traditional and standard, like it or not. This is an old old industry that was once unique to royalty and upperclass. What you see represented here is the watering down of it with the influx of middle class, read:stretching to afford, people ignorant of the norms of the industry.

And their nannies were essentially indentured servants, expected to be on call and on site 24/7 (or maybe 24/6 + 12/1). They got a week's pay because they weren't making a living wage (why should they? they were the servant class and lived in servants' quarters or with the children), and if they never left the family's employ, as an old single person with no life of their own, they might get a small pension.

Mary Poppins worked for a middle class family who regularly fired nannies, you may remember.

Okay? No one said anything about the conditions under which they worked. I'm simply disagreeing with the idea that there is no traditional standard. There is, and many nannies expect it. Just like no nanny job is the same, but there are standard expectations and duties, whether some nannies want to admit it or not. See? Goes both ways.

I agree. I guess that I've been spoiled, but I've always received at least a weeks salary as a bonus. It certainly does seem like this is the standard that most nannies are expecting whenever the bonus topic comes up. There are so many nanny groups and forums online these days and they all post about their bonuses and the weeks salary is the most common figure I see mentioned.

I have known nannies to leave their jobs over bonuses as they feel like they are not appreciated if not given a good bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I would not give, consider it appropriate, or be able to afford two weeks bonus.

Our nanny typically gets a few hundred dollars bonus at the holidays, though some years we've given her a plane ticket instead.

For a nanny who has been with you a couple of months (and assuming you are very pleased with her work) I would give a nice gift and a maybe $200-250 bonus (in cash, undecl

ared).

You are poor right?

[Anonymous]

Well, this thread has evolved entertainingly.

Now we're debating the standard bonus as defined by Mary Poppins and norms that people presume applied to royalty.

That's helpful.

You all should be glad most employers don't know about this forum or we'd have an incredibly hard time getting employed. You're making nannies sound like raving lunatics with nightmare attitudes and limited intelligence.

[Anonymous]

I started 2 years ago with my family in November. By the time Christmas rolled around I had been with them 2 weeks.
For my bonus they gave me half my salary and a personal gift.
I didn't expect it and was very happy.

Do what feels right for your situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, this thread has evolved entertainingly.

Now we're debating the standard bonus as defined by Mary Poppins and norms that people presume applied to royalty.

That's helpful.

You all should be glad most employers don't know about this forum or we'd have an incredibly hard time getting employed. You're making nannies sound like raving lunatics with nightmare attitudes and limited intelligence.

Frankly, if an intelligent person reads all the posts on this thread and that person has common sense, lives in the real world and has basic reading comprehension, you sound like the lunatic. If you don't value yourself, no one else will either. Here's some truly helpful advice-do whatever job you do to the best of your ability, strive to grow and improve and don't settle for lesser compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my nanny isn't on dcum playing matchy matchy terms getting inflated, unrealistic expectations so I don't have to worry about some of the above prissy nanny attitudes.

How would you know what your mommy pays your nanny? Now go outside and play and let the adults talk, dear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, this thread has evolved entertainingly.

Now we're debating the standard bonus as defined by Mary Poppins and norms that people presume applied to royalty.

That's helpful.

You all should be glad most employers don't know about this forum or we'd have an incredibly hard time getting employed. You're making nannies sound like raving lunatics with nightmare attitudes and limited intelligence.

Frankly, if an intelligent person reads all the posts on this thread and that person has common sense, lives in the real world and has basic reading comprehension, you sound like the lunatic. If you don't value yourself, no one else will either. Here's some truly helpful advice-do whatever job you do to the best of your ability, strive to grow and improve and don't settle for lesser compensation.

I'm an employer and I completely agree w/ the poster you're calling a lunatic.

She (or he) is absolutely right.