Advice for 24/5 full-time live-in nanny compensation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes no difference who prefers a set salary because NANNIES ARE HOURLY EMPLOYEES AND MUST BE PAID FOR EVERY HOUR WORKED!!!!

A live-in nanny is paid straight time for all hours over 40 with the exception of the states where live-ins are paid OT.

OP, both of you are breaking labor laws.

16.35 here. You’re ridiculous. I’m a live-in nanny, and just like every live-in I know, I negotiate with salary, not by hourly rate. My contract reads that I am paid x salary per week for y hours on z schedule, and for the sake of legality, we break it down to hourly. I have zero interest in dropping my take-home pay by only being paid for worked hours. My employer travels, works 12+ hour days at least thrice per week, and generally needs 24/5 availability; if I wasn’t paid to be available for all those hours, I wouldn’t be available and my employer literally would not be able to do their job.

I have a separate rate for extra hours that is more than double my “hourly” rate. My employer knows that I will make myself available in an emergency and that with at least a couple days of notice, I’ll be available when it’s not an emergency. Most nannies I know that work 24/4 or more do the same thing. We’re not paid OT for normal work, but we make it hand over fist when asked to work over our normal schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you to the person above for the detailed reply. I appreciate it so much. I really value her and I want to be sure we are paying her correctly.
My kids are 2 and 4 years old so there is no major schooling besides learning through play, crafts, storytelling and fun excursions. I would say the the daily work averages about 10-11 hours, with breaks in the middle since both kids are in preschool, this gives her time to workout, get her appointments done and/or whatever she wants. My kids sleep straight through the night and video monitor stays with me. She doesn't know how to drive, nor wants to learn so I have as additional car and driver to transport everyone around all day. We also have the housekeeper who works a 12 hour day, so there is plenty of support for our nanny. i will start offering the federal holidays to her or pay her x1.5 or x2 the daily rate. We agreed on 2 weeks holiday, one of her choice and one of mine. These obviously include paid round-trips home. My embassy covers her healthcare.

And to the poster who said I am stingy and asked when I spend time with my kids, I try to whenever I can. I work from 9-6 officially but then have engagements every night. I am a foreign diplomat, single mother working here away from home with my kids. My nanny is happy with us, she is on my diplomatic visa (she is European) and doesn't have to pay any income or federal taxes (not a cent). In the end, she gets to keep every dollar she is paid by me, and I have never tried to reduce her pay because she is not required to pay taxes. Its the enormous perk of working for diplomats. Hope that answers your question.

16.35 again. Since she’s European, I would advise that following the American federal holiday calendar makes no sense. Look at the holidays that mean something to you and her, and offer those off or at x1.5/2. Other than that, you’re golden. Because she’s not required to pay any taxes at all, has no housekeeping or driving, 2 weeks vacation, and has free insurance, it adds up to an amazing package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Actually, you are wrong. Unless you can post a link that says live-in full time employees are paid per hour, I wouldn’t create confusion here for other people reading this thread.

Also, I have to ask : what is a right per hour salary? From what I have seen, hourly rates vary nanny to nanny. I am certain she is earning more with my fixed rate than if we were to pay her for every hour worked.

I have met with part timers who have set rates from anywhere between 15,16,19,20,25,26 and 35 per hour! In my 8 years of hiring ONLY live-in candidates, I have NEVER met a nanny who asked for an hourly rate for a live-in role. I have never met an agency who supplied live-ins to me per hour. My nannies always negotiated an attractive lump sum to cover their bases for hours worked or not, and then they are responsible for anything which may come up and -“are available. I am a parent who will pay well for someone who can offer me that flexibility because I work, don’t have a husband and am away from my native country and my family. Our contract covers a few nights of babysitting. I have a housekeeper who also works full time and between them they are professional and get their work done like a team.

My original post asked for help on deciding on additional public holidays, and whether she is being compensated fairly at THOSE times . I care about her and am asking for opinions on one area. Please don’t twist it into something this is not. It will only be an issue in your head because for some reason you are the sort of poster who reads a thread and assumes the worst about people.

OP, you got sloppy up with your lies. Your kids are 2 & 4.

[Anonymous]

13:49 she employs more than just a nanny and has likely done so since before her children were born.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Actually, you are wrong. Unless you can post a link that says live-in full time employees are paid per hour, I wouldn’t create confusion here for other people reading this thread.

Also, I have to ask : what is a right per hour salary? From what I have seen, hourly rates vary nanny to nanny. I am certain she is earning more with my fixed rate than if we were to pay her for every hour worked.

I have met with part timers who have set rates from anywhere between 15,16,19,20,25,26 and 35 per hour! In my 8 years of hiring ONLY live-in candidates, I have NEVER met a nanny who asked for an hourly rate for a live-in role. I have never met an agency who supplied live-ins to me per hour. My nannies always negotiated an attractive lump sum to cover their bases for hours worked or not, and then they are responsible for anything which may come up and -“are available. I am a parent who will pay well for someone who can offer me that flexibility because I work, don’t have a husband and am away from my native country and my family. Our contract covers a few nights of babysitting. I have a housekeeper who also works full time and between them they are professional and get their work done like a team.

My original post asked for help on deciding on additional public holidays, and whether she is being compensated fairly at THOSE times . I care about her and am asking for opinions on one area. Please don’t twist it into something this is not. It will only be an issue in your head because for some reason you are the sort of poster who reads a thread and assumes the worst about people.

OP, you got sloppy up with your lies. Your kids are 2 & 4.

Have you considered that she may have grown children or teens in boarding school? Either way, her children at home could be 2/4, but she could easily have over 8 years as an employer.

Additionally, she said live-in candidates. I’ve met several people hiring for (or who already had) a (live-in) housekeeper position that would become part-time nanny as back up for the primary (live-in) nanny in the future, once they started having kids. That housekeeper/future nanny is also more likely to negotiate salary than hourly rates, if the position is live-in.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I do have an elder son at home who is a teenager and in no need of a nanny - why would I lie about my years as an employer? And that too on an anonymous thread where I am asking for advice.
I want to thank all the people who have posted really excellent advice, and been sincere in their explanations. I think I am happy with the replies and won’t be needing to comment going forward but I hope this information is helpful to another Mum who is in my unique situation!
Cheers x