Work-From-Home Dad Situation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been w/my current Nanny Family eleven months.
This position came from a previous family’s recommendation.
Both families are friends.

My charge, an eighteen-month old little girl is adorable, witty + very energetic.

When I initially interviewed w/this family, I noticed cameras when I was preparing to walk out the door.
I was surprised the parents didn’t mention them in the interview & when I asked about them, they casually shrugged and acted like they were not a big deal.
Even though they included audio which is illegal in my state (CA) w/out consent.

After two weeks, I let them know I felt really uncomfortable being audiotaped so they agreed to turn that off.

The past three months or so, the Father has been working from home.
All day.
Every single day.
He stays inside his upstairs bedroom, but comes down every now and then.
My charge is a okay w/it all, but I hate it!!

It’s like I never know when he is near, I will look up & see him there at random times.
Not to mention I do not really like his personality.

I feel like they should have given me a heads-up that a parent would be home all day.
I also feel like they should have told me about the cameras during our interview.
(Speaking of cameras, I have noticed since the Dad has been telecommuting, the cameras have been taken down.)

I am starting to feel a little suspicious of my employers.
They seem to be taking me for granted.
The reason I do not like the Father’s personality is that he treats me like the help.
Plus he doesn’t clean up the breakfast dishes, crumbs + floor at all before I arrive.
(Everyone is done w/breakfast when I arrive.)

What do you guys think?
Am I being treated fairly??

TIA.

Yikes. This man is a creep!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

Tracking ones' computer is NOT the same as audio and visual. But you already knew that so your post was irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

Tracking ones' computer is NOT the same as audio and visual. But you already knew that so your post was irrelevant.

If one works in an office, the majority of the time there are cameras. Just like there are cameras at almost all businesses you go to. It is normal. It is not irrelevant and most employers have cameras for a variety of reasons. You are caring for someone's child. Abuse happens, and young kids often cannot tell. If you are against a camera or any accountability, that raises red flags.

[Anonymous]

I think you should tell him to announce his presence somehow when he comes downstairs. You can suggest that he clear his throat or say hello to you whenever he is in the room. You should also request that either he clean up the breakfast mess before you arrive or hire a housekeeper to tidy up in the mornings.

[Anonymous]

OP Here -
There have actually been a few occasions before he started working from home where he would be in the house in the morning & I had no idea until I saw him walk out the door for a lunch meeting!!

I was stunned + felt disrespected.
Since I thought I was alone and the child was so little, I had been using the bathroom w/the door open!
Imagine if.......!!

The guy just gives me the overall creeps.

There is just something shady about the cameras, him in the home all day, etc. that doesn’t feel right.

He seems like the type of dude who would show my tape to other guys & talk.
But my employers both claim the cameras do not record.
That they are like a baby monitor in that way....
You can only see the footage in real time.

But I am under the impression that ALL cameras RECORD.
Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here -
There have actually been a few occasions before he started working from home where he would be in the house in the morning & I had no idea until I saw him walk out the door for a lunch meeting!!

I was stunned + felt disrespected.
Since I thought I was alone and the child was so little, I had been using the bathroom w/the door open!
Imagine if.......!!

The guy just gives me the overall creeps.

There is just something shady about the cameras, him in the home all day, etc. that doesn’t feel right.

He seems like the type of dude who would show my tape to other guys & talk.
But my employers both claim the cameras do not record.
That they are like a baby monitor in that way....
You can only see the footage in real time.

But I am under the impression that ALL cameras RECORD.
Period.

Its not shady for him to be in HIS home. They should tell you. There is nothing shady about having cameras. Most homes have camera's now for safety and to monitor what's going on. We have cameras. Ours only record at certain times or go on/off with a motion sensor. Not all record all the time, it is how they are set. If they don't pay for extra storage, then it is only real time. You have to pay extra to store the video and often its only stored for a few days or a week. You need to learn more about cameras and technology. You are going to have a tuff time finding a family who is never home/no cameras as more homes have cameras as do most work places and many companies are allowing flexibility including working at home.

[Anonymous]

We have cameras but never look at the footage unless something bad happens because it is boring and a waste of time. Once in a while we might take a quick glance but only if the kid is sick or we are checking if they are home. I think you are being a little paranoid but if you are getting a creepy vibe, start looking for a new job and not through your old employer this time.

[Anonymous]

From what you're describing, you find this guy creepy just because he exists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

Tracking ones' computer is NOT the same as audio and visual. But you already knew that so your post was irrelevant.

If one works in an office, the majority of the time there are cameras. Just like there are cameras at almost all businesses you go to. It is normal. It is not irrelevant and most employers have cameras for a variety of reasons. You are caring for someone's child. Abuse happens, and young kids often cannot tell. If you are against a camera or any accountability, that raises red flags.

If you are honestly worried about abuse with your nanny then you should stay home. Abuse can happen on and off camera. Being against a camera and any accountability are two separate things. What is “any accountability” meaning to you? You can be against a camera bc frankly they are creepy and you may never feel comfortable. Most ppl don’t want to be watched and micromanaged. If I walk into a house with visible cameras in every room, that raises red flags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Here -
There have actually been a few occasions before he started working from home where he would be in the house in the morning & I had no idea until I saw him walk out the door for a lunch meeting!!

I was stunned + felt disrespected.
Since I thought I was alone and the child was so little, I had been using the bathroom w/the door open!
Imagine if.......!!

The guy just gives me the overall creeps.

There is just something shady about the cameras, him in the home all day, etc. that doesn’t feel right.

He seems like the type of dude who would show my tape to other guys & talk.
But my employers both claim the cameras do not record.
That they are like a baby monitor in that way....
You can only see the footage in real time.

But I am under the impression that ALL cameras RECORD.
Period.

Its not shady for him to be in HIS home. They should tell you. There is nothing shady about having cameras. Most homes have camera's now for safety and to monitor what's going on. We have cameras. Ours only record at certain times or go on/off with a motion sensor. Not all record all the time, it is how they are set. If they don't pay for extra storage, then it is only real time. You have to pay extra to store the video and often its only stored for a few days or a week. You need to learn more about cameras and technology. You are going to have a tuff time finding a family who is never home/no cameras as more homes have cameras as do most work places and many companies are allowing flexibility including working at home.

Agree that it’s his home so not shady.

However, completely disagree about the cameras. Neurotic and controlling ppl tend to have cameras. I’ve interviewed with plenty of families who didn’t have cameras and only a few that have. I also will not work for a family if a parent works from home regularly. Ppl tend to think that bc they have cameras that means everyone else does and that everyone works from home. There are plenty of families with no cameras and don’t work at home. So no, that poster will not have a hard time finding a family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nannies,

I am sometimes surprised at the posts that I see on here. This is just another one for the books! Let me see if I get this correct

1. Parents have cameras in the house that are OBVIOUSLY positioned (assumption of risk).

2. Father comes downstairs on occasion to check on his kid and the nanny

3. Nanny has issues with father coming downstairs and watching her take care of his child.


Sadly, this is exactly the same situation that I am in in as well. I also work from home, and I want to make sure my kid is ok, with a stranger. I have camera's in the house, so I don't have to 'hover' around constantly. It is less of a trust thing for the nanny, as much as it is an extra pair of eyes on my child.

Then you should take care of your child exclusively. However, you cannot because you are too lazy and do not want to spend an entire day with your brat so you have hired a nanny that you don't trust. You are nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nannies,

I am sometimes surprised at the posts that I see on here. This is just another one for the books! Let me see if I get this correct

1. Parents have cameras in the house that are OBVIOUSLY positioned (assumption of risk).

2. Father comes downstairs on occasion to check on his kid and the nanny

3. Nanny has issues with father coming downstairs and watching her take care of his child.


Sadly, this is exactly the same situation that I am in in as well. I also work from home, and I want to make sure my kid is ok, with a stranger. I have camera's in the house, so I don't have to 'hover' around constantly. It is less of a trust thing for the nanny, as much as it is an extra pair of eyes on my child.

Then you should take care of your child exclusively. However, you cannot because you are too lazy and do not want to spend an entire day with your brat so you have hired a nanny that you don't trust. You are nuts.

You really need to find a new profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

Tracking ones' computer is NOT the same as audio and visual. But you already knew that so your post was irrelevant.

If one works in an office, the majority of the time there are cameras. Just like there are cameras at almost all businesses you go to. It is normal. It is not irrelevant and most employers have cameras for a variety of reasons. You are caring for someone's child. Abuse happens, and young kids often cannot tell. If you are against a camera or any accountability, that raises red flags.

If you are honestly worried about abuse with your nanny then you should stay home. Abuse can happen on and off camera. Being against a camera and any accountability are two separate things. What is “any accountability” meaning to you? You can be against a camera bc frankly they are creepy and you may never feel comfortable. Most ppl don’t want to be watched and micromanaged. If I walk into a house with visible cameras in every room, that raises red flags.

The majority of places, including shopping and restaurants have cameras. Maybe you should stop going out. If you have nothing to hide, it should not be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the dad's employer suddenly put audio/cameras on him all day at his workplace -- after all, he is stranger to his boss.. Perhaps he was uncomfortable being observed all day and decided to work from home.

Most workplaces have cameras. Every job I've had have one and if he's working at home he can easily be tracked by his online time/connection to the company.

Tracking ones' computer is NOT the same as audio and visual. But you already knew that so your post was irrelevant.

If one works in an office, the majority of the time there are cameras. Just like there are cameras at almost all businesses you go to. It is normal. It is not irrelevant and most employers have cameras for a variety of reasons. You are caring for someone's child. Abuse happens, and young kids often cannot tell. If you are against a camera or any accountability, that raises red flags.

If you are honestly worried about abuse with your nanny then you should stay home. Abuse can happen on and off camera. Being against a camera and any accountability are two separate things. What is “any accountability” meaning to you? You can be against a camera bc frankly they are creepy and you may never feel comfortable. Most ppl don’t want to be watched and micromanaged. If I walk into a house with visible cameras in every room, that raises red flags.

The majority of places, including shopping and restaurants have cameras. Maybe you should stop going out. If you have nothing to hide, it should not be an issue.

Yeah we both know this isn’t the same thing as a nanny cam but keep telling yourself that it is. I have nothing to hide (I’ve worked with a family who had cameras but prefer not too) and I also know you aren’t the type of person I would work for anyway so the issue is moot.