Tactful and professional way to discuss guaranteed pay?

[Anonymous]

I applied to a position that I was extremely hopeful for and went to an interview today. The hours are great - M to F 8:30am to 2:30pm - since I am not seeking a full-time job and wanted to find a position that would still allow me to work overnights and do evening care. Location is not far, no housekeeping or laundry but of course pick up as needed, no baths and no driving or swimming on the job. Parents also work primarily outside of the home.

I went to the interview and parents were very nice, and seemed pretty easygoing so no negative vibes. Everything seemed great to me until we started talking about pay towards the end. I asked if the nanny would be given paid vacation or sick days and they said no. I asked if they went on vacation or did not need care for a day here and there would they still pay the nanny for that day and they said no as that would be rare and they hardly go on vacation. They would also not pay for holidays off.

It's very important for me to have a minimum amount I know I will receive every week as naturally I have financial obligations like everyone else and in my last position, I was paid for every single day in the 6 years I was employed with the family, whether they took vacation, I took vacation, snow day, holidays and sick days.

Other than this issue - which is a big one - the job seems perfect to me. If offered the position, would it be worth it to bring up my concerns regarding pay? Is there a compromise? Or would it be better to keep looking? How could I discuss my concerns without coming off as greedy? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Just say what you said here. If you get an offer tell them you would LOVE to take the job but you need to have guaranteed pay so you can have a regular income you can count on to make sure you can cover you own expenses. I they do not agree I wouldn't take the job. I have worked for families like this before and usually they are cheap in other areas too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just say what you said here. If you get an offer tell them you would LOVE to take the job but you need to have guaranteed pay so you can have a regular income you can count on to make sure you can cover you own expenses. I they do not agree I wouldn't take the job. I have worked for families like this before and usually they are cheap in other areas too.

+1
I had to leave a part time job because the family started regularly canceling on me without pay. At least twice I showed up to work in the morning (8am) and they cancelled on me. One of those times, the entire family was still sleeping! It really got out of control with the cancellations. At the end of the day, I had bills to pay so I found another family for part time work.

[Anonymous]

"If you get an offer tell them you would LOVE to take the job but you need to have guaranteed pay so you can have a regular income you can count on to make sure you can cover you own expenses."

+1

[Anonymous]

This. If these days when they don't need care will TRULY be rare, then the family offering to pay them should be no big deal. If they are actually going to be fairly often, then the lack of guaranteed pay would be a huge problem for you.

[Anonymous]

Honestly OP, I feel like if you want benefits, which is what you're saying you want in paid vacation, etc., then you need to seek out a full-time job rather than a part-time job.

[Anonymous]

Agree with others. As a compromise, if you think you can swing it, for PT jobs I often offer that any days they take off, I get paid, but if I choose to call out for my own sick/vacation days, it's unpaid. I find families usually feel this is a good trade off, but if you're looking for full benefits, I think you'll probably need to hold out for a different family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly OP, I feel like if you want benefits, which is what you're saying you want in paid vacation, etc., then you need to seek out a full-time job rather than a part-time job.

There are plenty of PT jobs which offer benefits. This is the norm around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly OP, I feel like if you want benefits, which is what you're saying you want in paid vacation, etc., then you need to seek out a full-time job rather than a part-time job.

There are plenty of PT jobs which offer benefits. This is the norm around here.

I have had two part time nannies in the past couple of years and interviewed several additional candidates. Not one of them even asked for paid time off. Benefits are not the norm for a part time position in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly OP, I feel like if you want benefits, which is what you're saying you want in paid vacation, etc., then you need to seek out a full-time job rather than a part-time job.

There are plenty of PT jobs which offer benefits. This is the norm around here.

I have had two part time nannies in the past couple of years and interviewed several additional candidates. Not one of them even asked for paid time off. Benefits are not the norm for a part time position in DC.

So what? If OP wants benefits, she should ask for them. Is it better that she keep quiet, accept the job, then whine about how unfair it is? Nannies do the latter all the time, and the advice is always to ask for what you want and negotiate up front next time, right? The fact that you didn't offer PTO doesn't mean it is a hard benefit to come by, it simply means you aren't a great boss.

[Anonymous]

I always work part-time since I'm in school and have always had guaranteed hours and holidays. If the family goes on vacation I would still be paid. However I did trade off that if I wanted time off I would not be paid. It's not full benefits, but at least I have the choice whether to get paid or not. Don't be afraid to ask for guaranteed hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always work part-time since I'm in school and have always had guaranteed hours and holidays. If the family goes on vacation I would still be paid. However I did trade off that if I wanted time off I would not be paid. It's not full benefits, but at least I have the choice whether to get paid or not. Don't be afraid to ask for guaranteed hours.

+1

[Anonymous]

Another nanny who had negotiated guaranteed pay for PT hours. What I have offered is that I need X hours by the end of the month and that i am willing to adjust the schedule with 2 weeks notice, so if they take a vacation halfway through the month, they can plan ahead an have me sit for them extra the week before and after their trip so they aren't paying for care they don't need. BUT, there must be 2 weeks notice and I have to agree to the time (which i usually can, but if I couldn't they would pay me by the end of the month regardless). Works for us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always work part-time since I'm in school and have always had guaranteed hours and holidays. If the family goes on vacation I would still be paid. However I did trade off that if I wanted time off I would not be paid. It's not full benefits, but at least I have the choice whether to get paid or not. Don't be afraid to ask for guaranteed hours.

I think this is a good compromise to offer. If guaranteed pay is important to you, then I would definitely say so. It may be that the family wasn't planning to offer benefits, but if they think you are a great fit they may be able to make it work. You'll never know if you don't ask.