Request more hours or a raise?

[Anonymous]

OP sounds like one of those rare, truly amazing nannies. Congratulations on her success and devotion to her charge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think you need a new job. If they are stretching to pay you as it is, you are not going to get the increases and bonuses you deserve over time, and you are already kind of resentful of the situation.

You said you undersold yourself; so try again and don't do that. My guess is that this family would not have even considered you if you had asked for more to begin with because they know they can't afford it, not because you aren't awesome.

Not to mention, $18 for one child is not a bad rate, unless you bring something special to the table. For some families, your degree and experience would not only be special, but also something they could afford to compensate.

I would try an agency if I were you and had your credentials. Families who can afford agencies can also afford a higher hourly rate.

OP again. I am not at all resentful of my employers as I agreed to cut my rate to work for them a year ago. I am very resentful, however, of MB posters who think I have to prove to them why I am worth a raise after a year. I am sick of MB's constantly quoting how they can get a nanny for $12 an hour so I should be grateful.

I agreed to take this particular job for many reasons - one being that the parents are educated and see the importance of an educated caregiver/teacher for their child. And I wanted to start with a newborn. The immense gratification of watching his growth and development from newborn to talking toddler is amazing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds like one of those rare, truly amazing nannies. Congratulations on her success and devotion to her charge.

+1

[Anonymous]

Yes, you agreed, things will be different (maybe) in 1.5 years ... But here you are, unhappy with the money you are making now. Have they guaranteed you a substantial raise when DB graduates? It sounds like you need to have a heart to heart with them.

My DH is also a doctor, and we are not exactly swimming in money. It really depends on the specialty and job. I think you need clarity on whether what they consider rewarding your patience is really going to be what you expect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you agreed, things will be different (maybe) in 1.5 years ... But here you are, unhappy with the money you are making now. Have they guaranteed you a substantial raise when DB graduates? It sounds like you need to have a heart to heart with them.

My DH is also a doctor, and we are not exactly swimming in money. It really depends on the specialty and job. I think you need clarity on whether what they consider rewarding your patience is really going to be what you expect.

Not OP but she is asking for an annual raise - like everyone else in the world - and is sure she is going to get it. Her question is whether or not she should offer to work more hours at the same rate for double the take home of a $1 an hour raise. She is not asking that her patience be rewarded as she is not waiting for anything - she is asking for a raise now.

No nanny job is forever. Sometimes people here really over-think this stuff and don't bother to actually read with the OP is asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go for the raise.

+1 You've earned it.

How haas she earned it?iiii

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go for the raise.

+1 You've earned it.

How haas she earned it?iiii

Oh, for God's sake - read the whole fucking thread before you comment.

[Anonymous]

She has also said she undersold herself, knew their budget, is looking at the future with this family ...

You bring up a good point, though. OP, if they say no to either option, or only to the cheapest, are you still going to stay? They could decide to do something entirely different in two years, or DB might take a job elsewhere.

Would you feel let down in that case, or would you just say, that's life and move on happily?

[Anonymous]

You can always ask. Someday you will be told No.
You are already overpaid a rate for two children so if you are having personal budget issues it is time for you to find another job.
Maybe you'd enjoy nanny shares which typically pay more in aggregate per hour. It's more work than one child obviously.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Again, I am not unhappy in my position and I already know that I will be getting a raise. My question was whether or not I should ask for more hours instead. I brought up my DB's profession only to speak to the issue of them out-spending themselves -- my employers know that their days of living on one salary are limited.

Thank you for the responses.

[Anonymous]

ALWAYS go with the hourly raise. Future raises will build on your current rate, any additional hours they need you will use that rate, your unemployment eligibility amount will be based on that rate, overtime will be based on that rate ...

[Anonymous]

Op, dad will get more money in a year or two but he is not getting it now. They are living on savings. Not everyone gets a yearly raise or ever gets a raise. Yes, it is nice but it is a luxury.

If you came to us, I would tell you we love having you but it sounds like it may be best for you to look for a higher paying job as we cannot afford a raise. I could care less about your degree caring for a young child. I value education but bottom line is a degree is not needed in being a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Yes we all know that doctors have 4 years of ugrad, 4 years of med school, 4 years of residency, and then 2-4 years of specialty residency before they pull a real paycheck.
Then they can start paying back their $250k+ of student debt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go for the raise.

+1 You've earned it.

Earned it why? Because she has been there for a year? $18/hr for one child is already on the higher end, the parents could easily find someone in the $12-15/hr range and have room built in for raises.
If you know they are maxed out, OP, why are you even going to ask? Be prepared to have some very concrete reasons why you think you deserve $19/hr if you do bring it up, be prepared to be out of a job as well.

You mean aside from the fact that I am teaching their son to read, to sign and will start early potty training as reasons why I deserve a raise? What about the fact that I have a BA in Education, have never once been late or called in sick, and have never once used my phone to call or text anyone but them when I'm working? How about the fact that I am the best nanny I have ever seen or met and undersold myself initially? What about a simple cost of living increase?

I find parents like you stunningly irritating. I care for my employers child magnificently and he is thriving in my care - that should be reason enough for a merit raise after one full year of employment. I am not a young girl - I have worked in other fields in my life and all involved salary increases after the first year.

The kid is 14 months old and you're teaching him to read? Sure.

[Anonymous]

And paying one quarter of their gross salary towards malpractice insurance. And of course there's the top federal, state and any county income taxes.