Nanny's year anniversary

[Anonymous]

We have an excellent nanny who has been with us full-time for a year now. We are not in DC but I imagine LA rates are similar to yours. What is the standard annual increase in salary? She is currently at $18 an hour and $1 an hour raise is a little less than a 6% increase - is that standard? I know she also wants paid holidays and paid personal/sick time.

We are not wealthy people at all and even $18 is a stretch for us but I do know that she is a fantastic nanny and my daughter loves her.

Could our nanny ask for or expect more than a $1/hourly increase? Trust me, she knows how good she is.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I think $1 raise is fine. But you certainly
should be offering paid vacation and holidays.

[Anonymous]

Will your nanny have a chance to ask for what she wants? Or are you presenting this new package as a "done deal"?

[Anonymous]

Paid Vacation, holidays and sick days are standard In this industry and you should have offered them from the start. A $1 raise at a year is adequate assuming she is already at a competitive rate. However, if you didn't offer the raise and paid time off I would start searching for a new position. From my understanding the nanny market in LA is decent and your rate is average.

[Anonymous]

You say that your nanny knows how good she is, OP, are you worried she will leave you? Please don't say she loves your child - all nannies love their charges and nannies do leave for better paying positions all the time.

$19 an hour is okay but not great. What about 8.5% increase to around $19.50? That is a 5% merit increase and a 3.5% COL increase. Of course you should have given her federal holidays and paid sick time already along with vacation time so that is a given at this year mark.

[Anonymous]

Figure out what you can afford, and if you feel that it might not be enough, then you can look at other ways to sweeten the deal. maybe you could contribute to wards her transportation costs somehow, or if you have relatives who would be willing to come watch your child here and there, you could offer more lengthy paid time off. I would also let your nanny know that you are open to negotiation, but you have to know what your bottom line is before you can have that conversation. Give yourself a little wiggle room one way or another.

[Anonymous]

OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

First you said that your daughter loves her and now you say she is devoted to your son so which is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

First you said that your daughter loves her and now you say she is devoted to your son so which is it?

Son. I was trying to make my post less identifiable and screwed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

Forcing her to ask for a review is putting you at a disadvantage. She already knows what she wants. Negotiate fairly and calmly, OP. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

First you said that your daughter loves her and now you say she is devoted to your son so which is it?

Son. I was trying to make my post less identifiable and screwed up.

You don't live in LA either, do you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again


I don't know if she is considering leaving - I don't think so - she is very devoted to our son ( I didn't say "love" although it clear that she does) and has already signed him up for a few classes with her for the next few months. She was the one who brought up our sitting down to discuss how we wanted to proceed - otherwise I wouldn't have done anything (honestly) at her year anniversary.

I will let her present what she wants, of course, it is not a done deal. I should also mention that she is not full-time. She works 34 hours a week. So we never thought that federal holidays, sick time, vacation time were relevant.

The idea of deciding my bottom line is a good one. Thanks.

I'm devoted to my charges while I'm with them and sign them up for classes but I know my worth. If she is bringing this up than she is unhappy with the benefit/compensation package you offer (or don't offer). 34 hours is on the low end for nanny hours but it is still technically full time. You really need to figure out what you can afford to offer because no Quality nanny is going to stay long term.

[Anonymous]

Son or daughter, in DC or Timbuktu -- you will lose a great nanny if she is not fairly compensated for her work. The fact that she had to instigate the conversation for a review/raise tells me she is already displeased and probably keeping her eyes open if not actively searching for another job.

Don't say you weren't warned, OP.

[Anonymous]

$18 is pitiful pay. Unless you want an awkward "negotiation" and future then I suggest you bump her up to $25/hr before she even asks and tell her you REALLY APPRECIATE her completely!

[Anonymous]

Since when is $18 an hour pitiful for
someone with most likely only a high school
education? I'm a nanny and think that's
a respectable income for watching one
child.