Being let go because I asked for a pay increase?

[Anonymous]

My nanny family told me I will no longer be needed starting December, right before the Holidays. This comes less than a week after discussing a possible raise since I've been working with them for almost 8 months now. We are on the books does this mean i can file for unemployment? and would i win?

[Anonymous]

Asking for a raise after only 8 months? Why so early?
There's nothing to "win" when filing for unemployment.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry OP.
That sucks.
I hope you find another family soon.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you're being paid on the books you will have no trouble securing unemployment. Like the PP said, there is nothing to win or prove - only that you've lost your job. As far as the government is concerned, the reason is irrelevant.

Sorry this happened to you, it's a crummy time to fire someone.

[Anonymous]

You're being let go without cause, so I would get the reason documented (in an email), and then yes you should apply for unemployment. They may contest it and come up with some other reason, but that's why you want the reason documented. I assume you brought up the raise in anticipation for your 1 year anniversary with them? If so, it was a bit early. If not, and especially if this isn't the first time you brought up a raise, I can completely understand them letting you go for someone who will be happy with the rate they are offering. Good luck OP, I know its an awful time to be let go.

[Anonymous]

OP, it's really impossible to know for sure what's going on in their heads. Maybe they're the kind that like getting new nannies all the time, and don't care much about their kids.

[Anonymous]

It is crummy to ask for a pay raise after 8 months. In this economy many people are not getting pay raises or bonuses and if anything getting pay cuts. Perhaps the pay raise and if they were not fully happy with you is the reason for the change. If you ask for a raise that quickly, I would be very concerned as then are you going to ask again in 6 months?

[Anonymous]

It was pretty early to ask for a raise, OP. I wonder if they weren't already not all that thrilled with your performance and then when you asked for even more money on top of your original agreement, it was the kick-in-the-pants for them to know that your expectations were not in-line with theirs for what they thought they were getting for their money.

I'm not sure about unemployment, but I think that if they let you go without cause, you can claim it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you should be able to file for and receive unemployment.

[Anonymous]

They told me there needs have changed when i asked why so suddenly. i asked if they were going for daycare and my mb just said they were looking into other childcare options. they are not being clear on the reason and we don't communicate threw email so i will try to get more answers via text.

[Anonymous]

You may get unemployment, but you shouldn't have asked about a raise before 1 year. I hope you feel it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

OP: I had a nanny ask for money every 3 months and we put up with it for awhile. I tell this story a lot as a cautionary tale. Asking at 11 months if appropriate. 8 sends up red flags. It signals that you are dissatisfied with the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They told me there needs have changed when i asked why so suddenly. i asked if they were going for daycare and my mb just said they were looking into other childcare options. they are not being clear on the reason and we don't communicate threw email so i will try to get more answers via text.

OP, I would just drop it. Clearly they don't want to pay you more and weren't happy with your performance for the short time you were with them. Let it go, think about some lessons learned, file for unemployment, and be actively looking for a new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They told me there needs have changed when i asked why so suddenly. i asked if they were going for daycare and my mb just said they were looking into other childcare options. they are not being clear on the reason and we don't communicate threw email so i will try to get more answers via text.

OP, I wouldn't press them - it won't change their minds and might just make things uncomfortable in the time you have left, and potentially damage whatever relationship you might want to preserve for reference purposes. "Our needs have changed" could simply be them trying not to say difficult things - they might actually think this is kinder than the full truth. (And maybe it is!)

It sounds to me like there is more to the story and for whatever reason they didn't feel you were a good fit, so when you asked for a raise it gave them a reason to deal with something they were already considering. It may be unfair or crummy (though we can't tell without more information) but even if it is the reality doesn't change for you if you make it contentious.

You should be able to file for unemployment but beyond that I don't see a scenario for "winning" anything. Nannies are at will employees so can be let go without cause, and it sounds like they gave you a couple of weeks notice so that, along with your relatively short tenure with them, would also be taken into consideration if you were file any kind of legal action.

[Anonymous]

Why did you ask for a raise after 8 months? Do you think that's appropriate or the way things are done? Are you new in the workforce?