Should My Employers Know?
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Anonymous
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I think the rule of thumb is that your living expenses should not be more than 30-35% of your income, This includes utilities. I keep my housing at 25%, savings 25 % and the rest is spending and car payments.
You need to sublet your apt and find a roommate in a cheaper area. You are only there weekends so commuting an hour if you have to isn't gonna kill you. |
Anonymous
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Wow...105 hrs./wk OP and you still need a cushion???!!
You surely must be underpaid. For someone working your hours, it's like you are working two full-time jobs and a half. You shouldn't have to consider taking another job as well. If you do, then you will be all working your whole life away w/out any time off which is not even human. Instead of seeking another position, I strongly suggest re-evaluating the one you have and coming to terms as to why you are working so hard, yet still not making enough to live off of. |
Anonymous
ITA. This is nuts!! |
Anonymous
| Go get a new job, like a live-in position. This just doesn't make any sense. |
Anonymous
+2000 OP, there is NO REASON a 24/5 job shouldn't pay enough for you to live on (and save on). Get a 50-60hr/wk job for a higher hourly rate rather than tacking more work onto your already overwhelming schedule (or cut down on your expenses). This is craziness. |
Anonymous
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No don't tell them anything! It's your business! My MB gave me off Thanksgiving and the day after. She asked if my parents were excited to see me for the holiday. I told her that I wasent going home- that I am using that time to earn extra $$$ at another job.
She said she if she would have known, she would have just had me work those days for them. But I would make more per an hour, and tax free. So, if your boss is like mine- they think they own all your time. Just keep what you do in your off time personal. Also, I would just find another job. My friend in the New York makes $30 and works 50hrs and makes more than you. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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OP here. Thank you all for your suggestions. I know I work crazy hours for not that great pay. I've been at this job for a year and a half. I love this family! It is the first NF that I have felt this way with in my 12 years working as a nanny.
It is completely my fault for taking this position at low pay (I was kinda tricked by the agency as well), but it is my problem that I can't ask for a raise. I have a fear of talking about money. I do love my tiny apartment. I need some place that's mine, and private on my precious weekends. It's hard always being ON for 5 days a week. It is worth the crazy rent. I am saving, at least $1000 a month. But it is adding up painfully slow. Plus I would like to start a retirement fund. I know I should ask for more money. I KNOW they can afford to pay much more. And I KNOW they adore me. It's just my stupid money talk fears that are getting in the way. My original was should I tell them I am taking a side job? I think I will. Just to be forthcoming, and perhaps it will have side-effect of them questioning my pay. |
Anonymous
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MB here. Yes, OP you should talk to them, but you need to be direct and honest and not just hope they will read into what you're saying about a second job and act on that.
I think you should say that you are struggling because you love their family and children and this is the happiest placement you have had in your twelve years as a nanny. However, you are not making enough to cover your living costs and save for retirement the way you need to. So you are struggling with whether to look for a higher paying position for the same number of hours, or take a second job over the weekend. Obviously with the hours you're already working, taking on another job will be difficult, stressful, and potentially lead to quick burn-out. But you also don't find it easy to negotiate, and don't want to give the impression that you don't value your working relationship with them. You also think they need to know if you'll be taking on additional work since it might make you less available for extra hours/ Then see what they do. Give them the chance to step up. If you were our nanny, and we really valued you, we would try to find a way to give you a raise. Hopefully they will be able to, and want to, make you happier where you are. Be prepared to answer questions about how much more you need/want to earn in order to feel more comfortable. Do not lowball those numbers - be honest but unapologetic. Have information about the average rates in your area. Know what you're worth and trust that - don't accept something that isn't enough (assuming they're trying to meet your needs) just because you're uncomfortable negotiating and don't want to make them feel badly. Would a $1/hr raise do it? $2/hour? etc... Know what you would earn w/ a second job and then figure out what that means for compensation in your current job. Would them covering your health insurance costs (if they don't) help? If so, that's not taxable to them or you so can be a significant benefit to you without increasing tax obligations on either side. Etc... Be prepared to negotiate a bit for yourself - employers respect it and it's important that you respect yourself, your skills, and your proven competence with this family, enough to value your work sufficiently to advocate for yourself. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Do not tell them, they will not like it, the only way to make this work is to grow up and learn to negotiate for your future. If you must keep the apartment, find a m-f roommate. Otherwise it would be better to find a high pay, full-time, live-in position. You will regret working your life away, let go of some your savings expectations for now if your otherwise happy and get out there and experience life beyond nannying. You need to decide your pay (living and savings costs) and not accept a job for less that. You can get real with your family and tell them you need a 2-3 dollar and hour raise or you you'll be seeking weekend employment. Honestly you shouldn't be working for less than $20 an hour with your experience and NY cost of living. You already know this. Overcome your fears of talking about money and you'll be in a better place, good luck! |
Anonymous
| Nanny here. MB live in DC during the week and go back to NYC on the weekends. I was their 24/5 nanny with a a good salary ($100+K, roughly $2K/week). I HAD to be there when they needed me, no sick days allowed, etc. I love the family. They treat me well, but it is a high pressure job and 24/5 didn't leave me room to BREATH. Little did I know how much room I had! lol... their weekend nanny left and I took the job. I am a 24/7 now. Legally I am paid $100K for the week and they pay me an extra 1,500 for the weekend under a separate contract as "entertainer" to take the kids around to birthday parties, etc. My net worth (savings) went up and up. I am delighted! I hope they have more children, that's all I can say. $11/hour seems like slavery, but I am spoiled. I never had anyone paying me this much before, not even when I worked for high pressure state department people who took me all over the world. |
Anonymous
| OP, you are grossly underpaid. What a real bargain for those parents. Are they poor? |
Anonymous
OP here- I haven't told them yet  . But I haven't had time or energy to look for a weekend job either. I'm going to see if they give me a holiday bonus. Then talk to them about getting a raise.
I am going to ask them to raise me to $15 an hour, what would be around 107k a year. I think I should be paid at least $20 an hour what would be 140k a year. They most definitely CAN afford to pay me more. This is craziness! Thanks all! |
Anonymous
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They have a 24/7 nanny, I doubt they give a shit about whether you're burned out or not. I doubt they give much of a shit about you or their kid (I'm sure you're a wonderful person and nanny, these parents just gross me out). What you do with your time off is none if their business, don't tell them.
Having said that, I agree with PP's, it's insane for you to work any more than you already do. |
Anonymous
| You save $1000 per month?? That's about $900 more a month than most of us are saving I'm sure. |