Terms of employment

[Anonymous]

Hello!
I am currently searching for my second nanny family. In my first search I was fortunate to find a family who provided what I needed in terms of employment and more... So now on my second search, I want to make sure I end up in Situation Similar to what I have now. I am attaching the things I look for in a job and family. This is a 'rough draft' of what I would like to include.

Please keep in mind I do not live in dc but metro Detroit, most of my applicants are doctors or business people.

Please critique or let me know of Anyhing you would add or take out - obviously I will word this better and not just send it to potential employers in a list as I have it here.

-must be live out
-must be able to take charges to age appropriate activities
-gas reimbursement for any travel done in my vehicle
- 14 and up price ranges depending on what kind of house keeping, errands, grocery shopping is included
-3-5 paid sick days per year
-1 week paid vacation (happy to take vacation when family does)
-gaurteed hours and pay
-charges will have no screen time while I'm on the clock (minus homework uses or at things such as the museum where it is interactive)

Like I said, please feel free to let me know what you would change

Mb's/nannies are these all pretty. Accetable terms?

[Anonymous]

If it's full time, I would ask for two weeks' vacation. Also, ask that expectations about holidays and overtime be spelled out in a written contract.

[Anonymous]

Op here: thank you!!! Totally forgot about holidays!!!

[Anonymous]

Alot of parents let there children watch tv so being so anti tv can be a turn off. It's really the parents choice not yours

[Anonymous]

Op here: that's fine that people allow their kids to watch tv, I just don't think I should be being paid to watch them watch tv or play on an iPad all day... But I see what you're saying and will keep that in mind when I'm writing out my final draft , thanks

[Anonymous]

I specify open communication in my contract. I want concerns of either party to be voiced immediately to avoid issues later on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I specify open communication in my contract. I want concerns of either party to be voiced immediately to avoid issues later on.

I like this one too! Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

MB here. Your basic terms (inclusive of vacation as pp suggested) are all fine. My only suggestion would be to soften your tone.

When I hired a nanny for our kids I looked for someone who would be my partner, who I would trust, and in whom I had confidence that she would do as I asked. On occasion she differs with our opinions about things like scheduling of naps, etc... but for all the major stuff we are in sync. I would be turned off by an approach from an applicant where the applicant seemed to be dictating the terms of the relationship or specific things he/she was not willing to do (like the tv issue, or "must be able to"...)

So just be careful about tone and attitude so that you don't get dismissed by potentially great employers who might be turned off by something they perceive as inflexible or demanding. Ultimately you will have to manage the kids as the parents see fit. Of course it's important to determine whether you and the parents are a good fit before you take the position, but I'm just suggesting being careful about your tone.

Also, I know you're just posting here - not actually communicating with an employer - but be sure to very carefully proofread any written communication with them. I pay attention to things like that and if faced with equivalently experienced candidates would choose the one that writes well and communicates clearly.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here. Your basic terms (inclusive of vacation as pp suggested) are all fine. My only suggestion would be to soften your tone.

When I hired a nanny for our kids I looked for someone who would be my partner, who I would trust, and in whom I had confidence that she would do as I asked. On occasion she differs with our opinions about things like scheduling of naps, etc... but for all the major stuff we are in sync. I would be turned off by an approach from an applicant where the applicant seemed to be dictating the terms of the relationship or specific things he/she was not willing to do (like the tv issue, or "must be able to"...)

So just be careful about tone and attitude so that you don't get dismissed by potentially great employers who might be turned off by something they perceive as inflexible or demanding. Ultimately you will have to manage the kids as the parents see fit. Of course it's important to determine whether you and the parents are a good fit before you take the position, but I'm just suggesting being careful about your tone.

Also, I know you're just posting here - not actually communicating with an employer - but be sure to very carefully proofread any written communication with them. I pay attention to things like that and if faced with equivalently experienced candidates would choose the one that writes well and communicates clearly.

Good luck.

+1 from another MB. I know what you wrote was just a draft/list so I don't think you meant to send something like this but I agree with what PP said about softening your tone. I agree with all your terms including the no screen time, in fact I love that you don't want the children to have screen time but I'd phrase it in a softer way since some parents may be turned off if they think you would be dictating things that are ultimately up to the parents rather than working as a team.

[Anonymous]

MB here and agree with pretty much everything people are saying. Don't sell yourself short because people will take advantage of that (i.e. family was prepared to give you 2 weeks but sees you are fine with 1 so only give you one). So just ask for 2 weeks paid, 5 sick days and spell out holidays.

Also agree with PP to get rid of any "Must, Have to" type of wording unless it is something non negotiable for you (i.e. live out, pay, taking kids to age appropriate activities).

[Anonymous]

Thanks pp's!

I will absolutely be using softer terms when speaking with possibly employers but thank you for bringing language up in general, I will watch my wording!

Thanks for all the other comments As well.

[Anonymous]

I would not put the point about "able to take charges out" in writing. I think that is a very important thing to discuss, but as an employer I would be a little off put that you were trying to negotiate something that should really be worked out as time goes by. It is also normal for the family to take a bit of time to learn to trust you taking the kids out -- as a mb I would not want to give you carte Blanche to do whatever you wanted with them until you had been with us a little longer. At the same time, you definitely need to avoid those crazy parents who won't let you leave the house! I think it would be a good thing to bring up in an interview instead, but not for the contract itself.

[Anonymous]

I'd clean up spelling and grammar. How can you help a kid with their homework if you yourself can't capitalize properly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd clean up spelling and grammar. How can you help a kid with their homework if you yourself can't capitalize properly?

A real peach, aren't you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not put the point about "able to take charges out" in writing. I think that is a very important thing to discuss, but as an employer I would be a little off put that you were trying to negotiate something that should really be worked out as time goes by. It is also normal for the family to take a bit of time to learn to trust you taking the kids out -- as a mb I would not want to give you carte Blanche to do whatever you wanted with them until you had been with us a little longer. At the same time, you definitely need to avoid those crazy parents who won't let you leave the house! I think it would be a good thing to bring up in an interview instead, but not for the contract itself.

Another MB here: I would love to see this! I want a nanny who is ready with activities and places to go with my kids. I would expect her to let me know where those places were, but I want someone who isn't going to a) ask me to come up with an itinerary for every day, or b) find taking the kids places to be too much of a hassle. Maybe I'm too trusting, but once I've done my interviewing, background check, reference check, a couple of days at home ... let the nanny do her thing.

So, don't entirely change things based on what you might think a MB would want; you want to find a good fit, not necessarily please everyone.