What? Family just subtracted laundry detergent from my pay....

[Anonymous]

I'm a live-in, I do my own laundry as well as the children's laundry and towels ect. I just got my first paycheck and it's written up like a shopping receipt, with hours ect, and they subtracted $6.47 (exactly) for laundry detergent. Is this normal? Should I just bring my own? I was told from the beginning that they would supply most of my food, but that I'd have to buy extra's, nothing was mentioned about laundry detergent. Just confused.

[Anonymous]

Who could make up this stuff?? Some people are really outrageous. No, it's not 'normal' behavior.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? I'm sorry but you need to either 1) talk to the family ASAP and tell them that this is NOT normal or 2) get out ASAP. I was a live-in for a year in my last position and the family NEVER subtracted laundry detergent from my check. I mean, what's next? Are they going to subtract money for you using hand soap?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who could make up this stuff?? Some people are really outrageous. No, it's not 'normal' behavior.

I thought not. Just wanted to make sure that it wasn't "the norm" before addressing the issue. I wouldn't mind buying my own laundry detergent, just didn't like that it was subtracted without my knowledge.

[Anonymous]

OP, you got punked. And not just for laundry detergent. Start looking for a place to live. This is going to go downhill with a quickness.

[Anonymous]

How many loads of your own laundry could you have done for yourself in one week? I do ONE a week. So let's double that and say you do two for some reason. They charged you about the cost of a medium size of an entire bottle of detergent. It doesn't take a whole bottle to do two loads of laundry.

[Anonymous]

Yes, buy your own detergent because if the whole family is using that detergent for their laundry then why are they subtracting the whole amount? That is disgusting and petty and you're getting USED!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many loads of your own laundry could you have done for yourself in one week? I do ONE a week. So let's double that and say you do two for some reason. They charged you about the cost of a medium size of an entire bottle of detergent. It doesn't take a whole bottle to do two loads of laundry.

I've done two loads of my clothing, one for colors other for whites. I also washed my new bedspread/bedsheets when I got here, they were from a store so I decided to wash them first, I have issues with colorings. So I've done about 4 loads of my own laundry, plus the children's laundry every day.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of anything like this before in all my time as a nanny, including the times I've been a live-in.

The deduction for laundry detergent makes me wonder what else they will start charging you for. If you want to make this job work I would suggest sitting down with them and addressing this issue. Unlike a PP I don't feel that you should tell them that it's not normal (despite the fact that it's beyond bizarre). I would ask to sit down with them as a check-in to see how everyone feels about how things are going so far. During that meeting I would mention that you would like to clear up exactly what is included in your compensation and what they would either like you to provide for yourself or have your paychecks deducted for using.

Personally I would start looking for a new job, however this situation is not a deal breaker for everyone. If you decide to stay I would absolutely start providing your own of whatever they plan to charge you for. Along the same lines make sure to have them put in writing anything you would be charged for so that they don't start charging you for other random things down the line without your knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Wow..OP, please sit down with your bosses and ask them why you are paying for laundry detergent. In addition to that, I would ask what else they expect you to pay for. I wonder if you grab a bottle of water if that will also be deducted. If I were you I would start looking for a new job. This is the lowest of lows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never heard of anything like this before in all my time as a nanny, including the times I've been a live-in.

The deduction for laundry detergent makes me wonder what else they will start charging you for. If you want to make this job work I would suggest sitting down with them and addressing this issue. Unlike a PP I don't feel that you should tell them that it's not normal (despite the fact that it's beyond bizarre). I would ask to sit down with them as a check-in to see how everyone feels about how things are going so far. During that meeting I would mention that you would like to clear up exactly what is included in your compensation and what they would either like you to provide for yourself or have your paychecks deducted for using.

Personally I would start looking for a new job, however this situation is not a deal breaker for everyone. If you decide to stay I would absolutely start providing your own of whatever they plan to charge you for. Along the same lines make sure to have them put in writing anything you would be charged for so that they don't start charging you for other random things down the line without your knowledge.

+1

While it is bizarre, I hate how everyone always jumps to "Quit!" on here when something goes unfavorably.

[Anonymous]

20:07 has obviously never been around the block.
Or she found herself a poor doormat who puts up
endless nonsense, and thinks every nanny should do the same.

[Anonymous]

...puts up WITH....

[Anonymous]

Hi boss, I noticed I was charged $6.47 for laundry this week. I wondered if you could give me a list of what items I will be charged for. Perhaps I will simply purchase my own detergent, toilet paper, or what have you. Also, can you tell me how you calculated the $6.47? I noticed that a container of "Tide" costs $15. I did four loads, so I'd like to get a better understanding of how the charges work. Oh really, you are charging me for the WATER AND ELECTRICITY TOO? "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20:07 has obviously never been around the block.
Or she found herself a poor doormat who puts up
endless nonsense, and thinks every nanny should do the same.

I have been around the block and I have not allowed myself to be used as a doormat. I was unhappy with my previous position so I left. Before doing so I spoke with them about their offenses and gave them time to make improvements. It is very immature for someone to quit a position the first time something isn't perfect. Even when I did leave my last position, I started looking for a new one first so that I would not be out of work. I am an adult who needs to support myself and unless I am being put in extreme situations I would always try to stick it out until I found an alternative position.