Frustrated Nanny

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny who has been in my profession for over 6 years, and with the same family for 2 of those years. I adore this family so, so much. If it were possible, I would work there forever. However, I'm a bit underpaid and I'm starting to get a little frustrated. I am an excellent employee, according to my current employers and all former ones, but in my two years with this family, I have yet to receive a raise. I make 11/hr, which I believe is low. I am also not reimbursed for gas used to drive the 2 kids around, which I do a lot. MB was just telling me on Friday how excited she was to have received yet another raise (4th since I've been here), and while I'm thrilled for her and know its none of my business, I can't help feeling a little resentful. At least don't throw it in my face, you know? I have brought up raises in the past, she always says she's sure we can work something out and she'll get back to me, but she never does. I know they appreciate me, so it's not an issue of that, and I couldn't brig myself to quit. Any other ideas?

[Anonymous]

You have a mouth. Tell her how you feel. Why did uou taks a job for such a low wage and do you get pad OT for over 40 hrs per wk.?

[Anonymous]

They don't appreciate you.. That's the thing.. Now you already claim you will not quit so you need to push the issue and stick up for yourself because noone else will.

If MB appreciated you, she would realize how hard you work and how loyal you are for caring for her kids for two years. She thinks she deserves a raise and you don't.

You have two choices, look for another job or (politely) refuse to drive her kids on your dime and push the raise issue.

You can continue to be a doormat, working for $11 and driving her kids for free or you can write down all that you do. How many miles/gas you use weekly for her children, etc. Trust me, she doesn't want to lose you but she knows she can get you to do everything without raises, gas mileage, etc.

[Anonymous]

Schedule a time to sit down.

Tell your employers you deserve a raise because of XYZ.

Advocate for yourself.

In short, just be a professional, don't just wait for her to get back to you - set up a meeting and make your case.

Sometimes I think nannies need to go through a course on how to be professional employees because yes, sometimes this means having awkward conversations.

[Anonymous]

OP's MB is why nannies need a union.

[Anonymous]

Ask for a raise. You won't get it unless you ask for one with this family. Ask for it and then problem solved.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I accepted a low wage because I had just moved, needed a job at the time and it was going to be a temporary position. Also, I knew them through someone else, so I wouldn't have to meet them off the Internet (care.com).

And again, I've asked for raises before. I am aware I have a mouth, to the first poster. It's been there my whole life.

[Anonymous]

Well, ask for a raise one more time. Say you cannot live on this wage. Especially when you have to pay for gas.

You're clearly being taken advantage of.

Start looking for new jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I accepted a low wage because I had just moved, needed a job at the time and it was going to be a temporary position. Also, I knew them through someone else, so I wouldn't have to meet them off the Internet (care.com).

And again, I've asked for raises before. I am aware I have a mouth, to the first poster. It's been there my whole life.

No, you've talked about getting a raise and then accepted your MB putting the conversation off. Don't do that. Go into this negotiation with a determination of what your minimum wage and reimbursement needs are and advocate for them. If she tries to put it off, don't allow that. If she flat out refuses, tell her you are giving your X weeks notice. Done.

[Anonymous]

Put it to an ultimatum. Say that you need a raise and to be paid for gas and wear and tear on your vehicle (which is about 55.5 cents per mile). Say if you do not get this, that you will be forced to find another position since you cannot afford to live off of this rate. Mention that you have brought it up before and she has always said that you guys could work something out, and then it never gets dealt with. Reiterate again that you have been having many difficulties with finances over x amount of time since you first started asking for a raise, and you just can't hold out on waiting for her anymore. It is a now or you leave type deal. You may want to start looking for a new job now, and have this discussion in 2 weeks. You can use that as leverage if needed.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to tell whether you are paid fairly or not because we don't know where you live. Do you have a contract? Does it specify when you will be reviewed and be eligible for a raise? If you have a contract, this is where you need to specify reimbursement for your vehicle use on the job (which you should absolutely get) as well as overtime pay.

As for a raise, if you believe you have earned one, sit down and list all the ways you exceed expectations and give concrete reasons why you are an excellent employee. Then meet with your MB. She will either agree or not, and if you still feel like she's taking advantage of you and you could get a better job, then move on.

Don't think that you deserve a raise because your MB got one; that will get you nowhere and is immaterial. Base your case on how you earned a raise and it will be difficult for her to brush off your request.

Good luck.