What is fair compensation?

[Anonymous]

I am about to return to work and my husband and I are wondering what is fair compensation. We live near Dulles.

We have three kids, two in school full time and one is two year old.
The nanny would work 5 days a week. From around 7:30 to get the kids ready for school until 6pm.
The nanny would be expected to oversee homework and sports and music instrument practices (at home), ensure chores are done etc. Occasional driving to a nearby class.
The nanny would be expected to do light housekeeping to keep the house orderly.
2 weeks vacation guaranteed, an additional 1+ weeks off when we are gone for vacations.
Regular paid holidays
$100/month car allowance for their own car
Live in accommodations with private bed/bath on lower floor which also has private entrance and full kitchen, dining area, living area on that floor (shared with kids as rec room when they are home).

What kind of weekly salary would be appropriate? We aren't wealthy but want to be fair.

Thanks so much for your input!

[Anonymous]

I would suggest around $700 a week. Sounds like a straight forward position.

[Anonymous]

I would say less than 700 if you are providing live in accommodations. Consider getting an Au Pair.

[Anonymous]

The position requires too many hours for an au pair. Go for a full-time live in nanny, will likely cost 500-750 a week, depending on your location and the amount of housekeeping you require. Don't forget to include some sick days in your benefits package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would suggest around $700 a week. Sounds like a straight forward position.

I agree, even factoring for a live-in.

Live-in nannies aren't required to be paid OT, and your position is about 52 hours per week - so even at $14/hr that comes out to over $730/week and at $13/hr you're looking at ~$680 a week. I would think $650/week would be the lowest you would want to go assuming you're hiring/paying legally.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the $100/month towards the car. Is that supposed to be for gas? If she drives less than that it's acceptable, but if she's driving your children places at minimum you have to reimburse her at the IRS rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the $100/month towards the car. Is that supposed to be for gas? If she drives less than that it's acceptable, but if she's driving your children places at minimum you have to reimburse her at the IRS rates.

There is no legal requirement to reimburse at IRS mileage rates.

[Anonymous]

One thing that it's not clear whether you plan on it or not, but is a good idea, is to provide guaranteed pay if she's available/willing to work. So if you end up going on vacation for a 4th week or taking off a random Friday and don't need her, you should still plan to pay her. This will help guarantee you more stable childcare.

[Anonymous]

How much per hour do you want to pay her?

[Anonymous]

That her living space is shared with your kids is a factor to consider as well. She is getting a room, not an apartment or her own in-law suite.

She will have the 2 year old for 10.5 hours a day. Sounds like she will have he other two for about 4 hours a day? Is she also cooking dinner for the older two?

What are you counting as light housekeeping? Seeing as she is overseeing sports, music, homework, chores, and housekeeping etc, she has fairly heavy responsibilities. Also depending on what grades your older kids are you, you may need someone with higher education to be able to do their homework with them.

I think you would need to pay her $18-20/hr minus an amount monthly for the room rental

At $18 x 40 = $720 + $18 (x 1.5) x 12 = $324 = $1044 / week x 4 = 4100 / month - $500 room rental = $ 3600 monthly salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That her living space is shared with your kids is a factor to consider as well. She is getting a room, not an apartment or her own in-law suite.

She will have the 2 year old for 10.5 hours a day. Sounds like she will have he other two for about 4 hours a day? Is she also cooking dinner for the older two?

What are you counting as light housekeeping? Seeing as she is overseeing sports, music, homework, chores, and housekeeping etc, she has fairly heavy responsibilities. Also depending on what grades your older kids are you, you may need someone with higher education to be able to do their homework with them.

I think you would need to pay her $18-20/hr minus an amount monthly for the room rental

At $18 x 40 = $720 + $18 (x 1.5) x 12 = $324 = $1044 / week x 4 = 4100 / month - $500 room rental = $ 3600 monthly salary.

I agree with the living arrangements. The area is shared with the children when they are home. When will the children not be home. If she wanted a Saturday movie fest with friends she can't unless it's in her room or at others home.
Her only privacy is her room and bathroom. (Maybe her kitchen, is that part of shared rec room. Who still calls it a rec room btw).
She's not getting a full private guest studio even if it has a private entrance.

[Anonymous]

OP? What do you think is fair? What can you afford?

[Anonymous]

$600 a week tops. Live ins do not make anywhere near $18-$20/hr - 500 a month for room space. Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$600 a week tops. Live ins do not make anywhere near $18-$20/hr - 500 a month for room space. Good grief.

I charge *more* to put up with a live-in job, not less.

[Anonymous]

You never know if there's a nanny cam in "your" bedroom or bathroom. What a "benefit".