Nanny on the clock

[Anonymous]

Does your husband spend the whole car ride talking kid logistics and plans and whatnot? Essentially an end of day check in but at the beginning of the day instead? That is the only way that I can maybe see a case for paying, though even that is a stretch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny or not, no one gets paid for their commuting time.

If she arrives early and starts working, whether that's caring for the baby or doing baby-related tasks, she gets paid. If she arrives early because you asked her to, she gets paid. If she arrives early on her own initiative and doesn't start working, she doesn't get paid.

I'd strongly disagree there, unless the OP has asked her to work that time. You can't just show up early to a shift, work extra time, and expect extra pay to be added to your check. If OP asks for early help--sure, that should absolutely be paid time. But if not, this is down time until the clock starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Career nanny here (not that it matters because all jobs work the same). I would talk with her, otherwise you appear to be passive aggressive. Just tell her that while you are happy to assist in transportation, that her transportation time is not paid in her job just like it is not paid in yours. And that she is welcome to come in early but that she is not required to start work until 8am and that you will pay from 8am on, barring any additional needs.

I think that part is important. Most jobs don't pay for commute time. Some people who are really wanted can negotiate billing for travel time -- I am thinking of a science writer who gets paid for plane travel time to a new site, or a salaried doctor that can claim for the hours in travel to a required conference -- but for most jobs, you are on your own until the start of the work day, and it's up to you to finagle that.

[Anonymous]

She isn’t working as she waits at the train station. Getting to work isn’t part of being paid

[Anonymous]

Just to offer a different point of view...I was paid for my commute to work when I worked for one family. BUT the mom had told me at the end of my first week to start the time at 1 every day (kid got out of kindergarten at 1:30, so I would drive from my home 20 mine away directly to the school to get him).

I would absolutely talk to your nanny. It sounds like she thinks because she’s “arriving” at 7:30 on the train, that it counts as work time. I’d tell her you appreciate that she comes earlier, but that you didn’t account for the extra hour a day. But because it’s public transport she depends on, it may not be possible to arrive right at 8. Personally I’d let her know she can come on the following train every day (if it comes after 8, you’ll have to figure out an alternative).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny or not, no one gets paid for their commuting time.

If she arrives early and starts working, whether that's caring for the baby or doing baby-related tasks, she gets paid. If she arrives early because you asked her to, she gets paid. If she arrives early on her own initiative and doesn't start working, she doesn't get paid.

That's not true. I disagree that a nanny should be paid for commuting time, but my husband gets paid for his because he's a contractor. He gets hours and miles for his commutes.

[Anonymous]

OP, OT rates can hurt, so I feel your pain. If there's something that the nanny can do before 8 am that is useful (someone suggested folding the baby's laundry), then she can do that if she arrives early IF you want her to. Otherwise, she gets paid at 8, when she starts working. I would stop this now before it gets worse.