References not discussing salary

[Anonymous]

Why don't people answer questions about what they paid to the nanny when they are called to check references? Is it because they pay under the table, or is it because the still use the nanny for ocassional baby sitting jobs? Or is it illegal to ask about previous salary?

[Anonymous]

Because it really doesn't matter what they paid the nanny when she worked for them. It matters what you are willing to pay her and what she is willing to accept. Why do you need to know anyways?

When she started for them, she had x amount of experience, certain amount of education (possibly) and agreed to a specific pay based on job duties, number of children, and total hours worked (which guaranteed hours and other benefits might have also had some consideration with this). You and your situation could be totally different. More experience now, different number of kids, different schedule. Or it could all be the exact same as you. Still doesn't matter.

If she worked for $12/hr at her last job, but asked for $17/hr from you and you thought it was fair, then that is it. The pay from her last position shouldn't have any factor in what you decide is ok to pay her. She might have taken her last position at a low rate because she loved everything about it and had a great benefits package. But for you and your position, she might not want to do it for a low rate. If you found out she worked for $12, would you rather try to get her for $15 instead of $17/hr? Isn't that kind of crappy to do, base her wage on her previous wages? Figure out what you can pay, negotiate a wage between the 2 of you and forget what she made at other previous jobs. Not relevant.

[Anonymous]

That's an abnormal question to ask in any job setting. You pay her based on her worth, not if she is the type who gets swindled (which is all you can be looking of here... How much LESS will she except based on her last income).

[Anonymous]

*accept

[nannydebsays]

Because the job description there is not identical to your job description. You'd be better off asking about nanny's ability to multi-task, how she handled crisis situations, what her discipline methods were, how well she worked within the parent/employer guidelines, if there were any issues that came up, whether nanny went above and beyond on occasion, whether nanny was flexible within reason, how well she seemed to stay up to date on new theories and ideas in childcare, and if the past employers would re-hire her.

Your family will pay nanny based on her experience, your job description, and your childcare budget. Hopefully you'll settle on a starting wage that reflects all of the above and still allows for annual performance based raises and raises for the addition of more children to the family, if that's a possibility.

And if your offer is lower than nanny believes the job and her experience demands, you will then either negotiate or move on to the next candidate.

[Anonymous]

I have it in my contract as part of our mutual confidentiality clause. I feel like with the loose/unenforced laws surrounding hiring domestic help, I needed to protect myself from inappropriate reference checks. Very few nanny jobs are identical, and with every job I learn and sharpen new skills, and I will adjust my asking wage accordingly.

[Anonymous]

This is the kind of inappropriate question that my current MB warns me about when people call her for a reference. I would not want a new MB who asks such invasive questions. I would bet money that you've lost some candidates' interest in your position because of this (and probably other similarly inappropriate questions), even if they don't tell you that's the reason.

[Anonymous]

Because its none of your business. I took a low paying position once because it was short term and they needed someone and no one would take it. I was worth more but did it out of generiousity.

[Anonymous]

Nannies don't like when you ask this question because it puts them in a worse place when negiotiating salary. It's that simple. It's an very appropriate question, and salary confirmations are part of the job application process in many, many fields. I get why nannies don't want to release the information, but, I would want it. If a reference doesn't want to give out that information, I would move on to another candidate. There are plenty of great nanny candidates out there.

[Anonymous]

to take advantage of.

You forgot the last part of your sentence, PP.

[Anonymous]

Just how is it taking advantage. It's information, and it is what it is. If you think you deserve a big salary jump from your last job, justify it. But don't expect me to be ok with less information.

[Anonymous]

They don't want to answer bacause IT'S NONE OF YOUR F%&$ING BUSINESS!
What is the deal with you people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't want to answer bacause IT'S NONE OF YOUR F%&$ING BUSINESS!
What is the deal with you people?

It didn't take long for this, did it? This forum will soon be weighed down with similar negativity just as the other one was.

[Anonymous]

So, you nannies lack experience in the real working world.

It is very common for a potential employer to ask about salary history. No one likes it, but sometimes it is inescapable.

Why do you think you should be exempt from the same questions your employer faces?

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and have never batted an eye at disclosing my rate. My rate is my rate.