Bosses commenting on finances - MB advice?

[Anonymous]

This is more of a vent: My bosses are wonderful people and great employers. I've only been with my employers for six months but they don't mind talking about certain financial situations with me. For instance, MB will tell me prices they have spent on my charges stuff. They aren't bragging. They have been having construction and repairs on their townhome while I'm working. They ( mostly DB) will often ask me to look at the invoice and tell him the price. Yesterday DB shared how much an upcoming construction project will cost. I know it is bragging or worry about money, but maybe they are just comfortable with me to share that? It makes me a little comfortable, especially not knowing what to say after they tell me. I guess I shoul take it as a compliment that they are comfortable and trust me enough to know this? I've never had this situation occur so is it normal? MB's I would love your opinions most of all.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the typos - on my phone. I know it * isnt* bragging and it makes me * uncomfortable*.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to say anything. Some people are just like that.

[Anonymous]

I'm an MB and I think this is a little odd also - I wouldn't share that level of financial detail with many people, and probably not with our nanny unless I was specifically asking her to sign off on a contractor's invoice (if a plumber came while she was there and we weren't for instance).

My guess though is that this family is just more relaxed about that kind of thing, and trusts you.

I'd try to let it go, unless it is making you feel like they're trying to communicate something to you about the cost of employing you in any way. If that's the case then I'd tell them you're uncomfortable with this level of financial information and starting a conversation about what they're trying to tell you.

Mostly though it doesn't sound like a big deal - just their open approach. I wouldn't overthink it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MB and I think this is a little odd also - I wouldn't share that level of financial detail with many people, and probably not with our nanny unless I was specifically asking her to sign off on a contractor's invoice (if a plumber came while she was there and we weren't for instance).

My guess though is that this family is just more relaxed about that kind of thing, and trusts you.

I'd try to let it go, unless it is making you feel like they're trying to communicate something to you about the cost of employing you in any way. If that's the case then I'd tell them you're uncomfortable with this level of financial information and starting a conversation about what they're trying to tell you.

Mostly though it doesn't sound like a big deal - just their open approach. I wouldn't overthink it.

I am almost sure it isn't them trying to comminucate about cost of employing. I do sign off on invoices and packages regularly but not for this one. He said he wasn't going to go for it because it was too much. It was very odd.

[Anonymous]

Op again. I don't mind signing off on any invoices, etc. It was this situation which was extremly odd. DB said these exact words " This guy quoted X amount for the repairs and job". I'm not doing it". It was very nonchalant too. I would expect that type of talk for a spouse or family, not a nanny. I don't know if he shared because he is comfortable venting or if he sees it normal as I've been handling other similiar situations for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again. I don't mind signing off on any invoices, etc. It was this situation which was extremly odd. DB said these exact words " This guy quoted X amount for the repairs and job". I'm not doing it". It was very nonchalant too. I would expect that type of talk for a spouse or family, not a nanny. I don't know if he shared because he is comfortable venting or if he sees it normal as I've been handling other similiar situations for them.

Ok - you are clearly overthinking it. The guy just likes to talk out loud, and/or is thinking of you as a trusted member of the household, or he doesn't worry about sharing what others might deem personal info. But it's not like he's talking about his sex life or anything.

Take it as a good sign of his opinion of you and beyond that let it go.

[Anonymous]

You're lucky your bosses are like that, a lot of them don't care at all or lack trust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op again. I don't mind signing off on any invoices, etc. It was this situation which was extremly odd. DB said these exact words " This guy quoted X amount for the repairs and job". I'm not doing it". It was very nonchalant too. I would expect that type of talk for a spouse or family, not a nanny. I don't know if he shared because he is comfortable venting or if he sees it normal as I've been handling other similiar situations for them.

Ok - you are clearly overthinking it. The guy just likes to talk out loud, and/or is thinking of you as a trusted member of the household, or he doesn't worry about sharing what others might deem personal info. But it's not like he's talking about his sex life or anything.

Take it as a good sign of his opinion of you and beyond that let it go.

This. You are way, way overthinking this situation if the example above is going on. He's either a talk out loud thinker or trusts you and was doing the rhetorical "can you believe he wants to charge me that?!?" Type of comment

[Anonymous]

This really isn't a big deal. They aren't talking about their salaries.

Employer is just talking or venting about a fee (unrelated to your costs and unrelated to their wealth or lack-thereof). They are, as one poster suggest, thinking out loud and/or maybe they are just making conversation.

Along those lines, I remember once getting a crazy plumber quote when my housekeeper was here. She was in the room as we were talking about it and after the guy left she commented to me about the craziness of the quote. We rolled our eyes together and joked that we were both in the wrong line of work.