Does your nanny ask for her bonus?

[Anonymous]

Our nanny of 2 years asked me for a Christmas bonus consisiting of three weeks pay and asked for it to be paid by December 15th. Is this normal? I always thought bonuses were at the discretion of the employer as to if and how much, so I kind of flabbergasted.

[Anonymous]

It is like tipping. Of course it is expected but no one ever asks for it like she did. Also 3 weeks is too much. It is generally 1 or 2 weeks for full time employees who has been working for 1 year or more with the family. Prorated if working for less than 1 year.

So yes, she was over the line.

It sounds like she is having money problems. If you like her and she is working out for your family, maybe you should say bonus is this much but she can get an advance or something??

[Anonymous]

How much did you give her last year? Did you give 3 weeks last year?

[Anonymous]

I think you should have a sit down and let her know that a bonus is just that; BONUS. If and how much the bonus will be is up to you, the employer, and she will find out come holiday time.

[Anonymous]

Im pretty sure that my bosses have no idea that a holiday bonus is a standard that extends to caregivers. I am their first nanny. My MB also made a comment the other day about buying me fuzzy socks for Christmas, so Im resigned to the fact that I will not be getting a bonus from this family. I would NEVER have the audacity to ask for one...geez!

[Anonymous]

Your nanny sounds very obnoxious and high maintenance.

[Anonymous]

I have never ever ever asked or expected a bonus! That's like a waiter asking you to leave a ridiculous tip before your meal is over. That would put me off BIG time as an employer!! My current family gave me a $1,500 bonus last Xmas and it was so unexpected, I was shocked!! Your nanny seems greedy. Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never ever ever asked or expected a bonus! That's like a waiter asking you to leave a ridiculous tip before your meal is over. That would put me off BIG time as an employer!! My current family gave me a $1,500 bonus last Xmas and it was so unexpected, I was shocked!! Your nanny seems greedy. Yuck.

There is certainly a wide range of attitudes on this topic. I gave my nanny a bonus of $1,000 last year. No thanks. No real acknowledgement except sending off a vibe like she may have expected more. (We had ONE child.)

[Anonymous]

Wow, in my 12 years as a nanny I have never asked for a bonus much less given a due date for it. If I pulled that stunt with my employers (past or present) I would find myself unemployed. I have always been grateful for what I have received from my employers whether it be Christmas gifts, bonus, or a combination of the two.

Your nanny is way out of line. I hope you find a way to let her know that.

[nannydebsays]

That is astoundingly rude. Unless she is simply outstanding in every single way other than her pushy assumptions about deserving a (large) bonus, you might consider if keeping her employed is worth the stress.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the responses. I am really just plain offended - both asking for the bonus and the amount. I have my own employees at work and have never had anything come close to this in 15 years. She is a great nanny and that what makes me so offended - I feel like I am being treated like an ATM that can dispense cash at the asking. Her pay is almost $800 after tax a week, so three weeks pay would be $2400. I gave her $1,000 last year.

[thewildbaby]

nannydebsays wrote:That is astoundingly rude. Unless she is simply outstanding in every single way other than her pushy assumptions about deserving a (large) bonus, you might consider if keeping her employed is worth the stress.

+1

It really is quite an audacious and entitled thing to say - to demand extra money from her employer? I have never and would never ask for a bonus - I make a point of not even expecting anything, so when I do receive something it's a pleasant surprise - and agree with Nanny Deb that she doesn't sound like the right fit for your family (or any other, honestly).

The only way I can understand this is if you gave her a three-week bonus last year and she is having money troubles and asking for her bonus early seemed to her to be better than asking for an advance. If you think that is the case I would have a different conversation with her about that issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for the responses. I am really just plain offended - both asking for the bonus and the amount. I have my own employees at work and have never had anything come close to this in 15 years. She is a great nanny and that what makes me so offended - I feel like I am being treated like an ATM that can dispense cash at the asking. Her pay is almost $800 after tax a week, so three weeks pay would be $2400. I gave her $1,000 last year.

You should tell her as soon as possible that you will not be giving her a bonus of that size nor will you be giving it to her in advance.

[Anonymous]

i am very greatful my boss give me $600 3MONTH I DID NOT ASK FOR IT BUT BECOUSE I WAS PLANING TO GO TO JA .

[Anonymous]

Yeah...no. A bonus is not required and she is incredibly rude to ask for it, never mind that she decided the amount.