Nanny Bonus?

[Anonymous]

We have had our nanny since the twins were 3 months in which they are now 8 months. We anticipated giving her a weeks bonus and per our contract of two weeks paid vacation at the end of Dec. Things have slightly changed as we are from a different country and I informed our nanny that she would actually be receiving 5 weeks paid. She seemed thrilled and sad at the same time, because as much as she would love the long vacation she would miss the twins. We love our nanny especially because of the relationship she has with the twins.

She goes far and beyond anything we asked her to do. I am wondering if she would be disappointed if she didn't receive a Holiday Bonus due to the amount of time off she will now be receiving.

[Anonymous]

Yes, she'll be disappointed. Time off is always nice but it isn't extra money in the bank. She hasn't been with you for a holiday season before and she won't have any expectations (if you'd given her a week's pay as a bonus last Christmas it'd be tough to give nothing this year, for example) so you can certainly do this, but the answer to your question is still yes, she'll be disappointed.

Perhaps you could give her more of a token bonus ($200?) along with the time off?

[Anonymous]

You should give her the bonus. It is a common expectation, so it's very much anticipated and appreciated, of course.

[Anonymous]

Not really needed. She can take the time you're giving her off (I am assuming it's paid, but correct me if I'm wrong), and work as a fill--in for other families, thus earning double.

[Anonymous]

No need for any additional bonus.She's getting five weeks off paid vacation, when you are only contracted to provide two. The extra time is more than a generous bonus.

She should understand that. As long as you are paying her for the time off, you're all good.

[Anonymous]

MB here. She'll have been with you half a year. Since you've been so pleased with her performance, give her half a week's pay.

[Anonymous]

I think what's important with a bonus is to express how pleased you are with her performance. The time off is great, and I'm sure appreciated, just be sure to make clear that this IS the bonus, not that she isn't getting a bonus. You don't want her to feel you are unhappy/unappreciative.

[Anonymous]

Extra Vacation time is nice if you can choose when to use it and have money to travel. But it's not enough notice for her to book anything at a reasonable price. I dunno, I'm probably the minority here but I rather have the extra cash bonus instead of sitting around my house for five weeks. Also, you already told her about the extra vacation time without saying it was her bonus. So it's gonna feel like you're skipping out on her bonus to save money rather than showing your appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extra Vacation time is nice if you can choose when to use it and have money to travel. But it's not enough notice for her to book anything at a reasonable price. I dunno, I'm probably the minority here but I rather have the extra cash bonus instead of sitting around my house for five weeks. Also, you already told her about the extra vacation time without saying it was her bonus. So it's gonna feel like you're skipping out on her bonus to save money rather than showing your appreciation.

Agree with this. Time off is nice I suppose, if you can use it. I'm a broke college student, saving for a wedding. 5 weeks off would not be a "gift" to me, I'll just be bored. I honestly would rather work. And I know people will say, "you can find temp work!" That's great in theory, more difficult/not fun/may not happen in reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extra Vacation time is nice if you can choose when to use it and have money to travel. But it's not enough notice for her to book anything at a reasonable price. I dunno, I'm probably the minority here but I rather have the extra cash bonus instead of sitting around my house for five weeks. Also, you already told her about the extra vacation time without saying it was her bonus. So it's gonna feel like you're skipping out on her bonus to save money rather than showing your appreciation.

Agree with this. Time off is nice I suppose, if you can use it. I'm a broke college student, saving for a wedding. 5 weeks off would not be a "gift" to me, I'll just be bored. I honestly would rather work. And I know people will say, "you can find temp work!" That's great in theory, more difficult/not fun/may not happen in reality.

So many retail places are hiring extra holiday help. Surely you could get one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extra Vacation time is nice if you can choose when to use it and have money to travel. But it's not enough notice for her to book anything at a reasonable price. I dunno, I'm probably the minority here but I rather have the extra cash bonus instead of sitting around my house for five weeks. Also, you already told her about the extra vacation time without saying it was her bonus. So it's gonna feel like you're skipping out on her bonus to save money rather than showing your appreciation.

Agree with this. Time off is nice I suppose, if you can use it. I'm a broke college student, saving for a wedding. 5 weeks off would not be a "gift" to me, I'll just be bored. I honestly would rather work. And I know people will say, "you can find temp work!" That's great in theory, more difficult/not fun/may not happen in reality.

So many retail places are hiring extra holiday help. Surely you could get one of those.

Uhhh, NP here, but you must be able to recognize how having "extra time" to apply for and then work a second, non-childcare job is in no way equivalent to a cash bonus...right?

[Anonymous]

Three weeks extra paid vacation is pretty sweet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Three weeks extra paid vacation is pretty sweet.

Indeed, for some people, certainly not all.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here and as nice as time off is traveling around the holidays is way to expensive (esp this last minute) for me and its not easy to find a temp job . I'd rather be working then sitting around at home and not getting a bonus would be a huge disapoment for me . Give something even if its half a weeks pay .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extra Vacation time is nice if you can choose when to use it and have money to travel. But it's not enough notice for her to book anything at a reasonable price. I dunno, I'm probably the minority here but I rather have the extra cash bonus instead of sitting around my house for five weeks. Also, you already told her about the extra vacation time without saying it was her bonus. So it's gonna feel like you're skipping out on her bonus to save money rather than showing your appreciation.

Agree with this. Time off is nice I suppose, if you can use it. I'm a broke college student, saving for a wedding. 5 weeks off would not be a "gift" to me, I'll just be bored. I honestly would rather work. And I know people will say, "you can find temp work!" That's great in theory, more difficult/not fun/may not happen in reality.

So many retail places are hiring extra holiday help. Surely you could get one of those.

Uhhh, NP here, but you must be able to recognize how having "extra time" to apply for and then work a second, non-childcare job is in no way equivalent to a cash bonus...right?

Yes! That really says we appreciate you and happy holidays; here's some time to sit around at home by yourself, or scrambling for extra work, in lieu of us actually having to do something for you, since we'll be gone anyway! Definitely people I want to continue busting my hump for!