Stingy vs. fair

[Anonymous]

I work in a daycare in the mornings and babysit for several different families in the afternoons/evenings. I have noticed that there are three types of paying of sorts.

Let's say I worked 4 hours and 45 minutes at $10 an hour (for the sake of discussion).

Type 1: They'll pay me exactly for 4 hours and 45 minutes and hand me $47,50.
Type 2: They'll pay me exactly for 4 hours and 45 minutes and hand me $48-50, depending on what cash they have available.
Type 3: They'll pay me for 5 hours and hand me $50.
Type 4: They'll pay me for 4 hours and 30 minutes and hand me $45.

Have you noticed similar differences with how families tend to pay?

I've very rarely come across Type 4, most people are usually generous. But one of my families who I sit for lots is very Type 1 - MB would literally ask me for a dollar change back after paying me over a hundred. And I don't think it's in any way bad, it's her money and she absolutely shouldn't pay me more than what we both agreed on, and she is always very fair and respective of my time and work, but it's just so odd to me.

Nannies, is this some you can relate to?

[Anonymous]

I charge 10 per hr for babysitting outside of my typical full time nanny position which I know is very low for this area. I noticed that 1 family I worked for would only pay for a full hr so if I work 2 hrs and 50 minutes they would only pay me for the full 2 hrs. It caused me to re think my rate because I feel like I'm giving these families a break anyway. 10 per hr is very cheap for good quality care.

[Anonymous]

That's terrible. The minimum you should be paid is the hours you actually worked, so 2 hours and 50 minutes. Paying you for three hours would be nice but not necessary (unless you've agreed to you charge by 15 or 30 minute increments). I hope you left this family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's terrible. The minimum you should be paid is the hours you actually worked, so 2 hours and 50 minutes. Paying you for three hours would be nice but not necessary (unless you've agreed to you charge by 15 or 30 minute increments). I hope you left this family.

Yes I did I felt very taken advantage of. I was the only sitter they had ever had but still it felt like they wanted their money's worth.

[Anonymous]

I usually get from 1-3 depending on the family.

However, I would be peeved if I got short-changed and got 4.

And I would NEVER work for them again.

That would be like giving them 15 min. of free childcare.

[Anonymous]

You sound petty

[Anonymous]

if you are getting cash everyday I'd just hush up.
no way I'd be going to the ATM that much just to save you taxes or direct deposit fees or time cashing checks.

maybe if you were getting a check for exactly what you made you'd be OK with it? would it be fair then or you want some rounding advantage each time?

[Anonymous]

Call me greedy all you want but if I'm working til 4:45 I will charge until 5... I'm usually there for 15 mins giving the run down ect... Also I generally arrive 5-10mins early unpaid so it all equals out. I can't stand the nickel and dimes... Type one would piss me off....

[Anonymous]

MB here. I always round to the next half hour.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I always round to the next whole hour.

[Anonymous]

I'd take a check for the exact amount over it being any amount short.

[Anonymous]

You are cheating yourselves. I was making $10.00/hr 25 years ago when I was in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are cheating yourselves. I was making $10.00/hr 25 years ago when I was in college.

Too bad college didn't teach you to read well. OP picked $10 an hour because it made the math easy for her post, not because that's what she actually charges.

[Anonymous]

Fair is being paid the exact amount of time you work or are required by the parents.

Rounding up is a nice\ convenient thing to do.

Short changing is not okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I always round to the next half hour.

Same here.