Nanny paid time offer in 2015

[Anonymous]

I'm writing a new nanny agreement now. She will start September 7. I think two weeks paid leave (one her choosing, one for our choosing) and 6 paid holidays year is what we will offer for a full calendar year. For this offer, do I write in one week paid leave plus paid Thanksgiving and Xmas in 2015? Then start with 2 weeks and 6 holidays paid to begin in 2016? Also, do I build in a trial week or probationary period of 30 days?

[Anonymous]

We did federal holidays instead of naming the exact holidays.

[Anonymous]

Judging from this board, it seems some nannies expect to get paid for holidays even if they don't fall on days they work. Make sure to clarify that.

[Anonymous]

We say six holidays that fall on work days are paid.

FYI, we do not give vacation in bulk. You accrue vacation hours as you work. This helps avoid someone who's been with us for a month taking off for two weeks with pay and then leaving.

[Anonymous]

Highly recommend NOT writing a contract with an end date so that the nanny cannot sue for lost wages (violation of contract) if fired for cause. Instead, specify the contract can be terminated at any time.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Care.com has a template I like. https://www.care.com/homepay/sample-nanny-contract-1309060137

Notice how #1 is "continue until either party elects to terminate the relationship."

[Anonymous]

Specify if the holiday applies only if it is a work day (12/25 falls on a Friday) vs the standard approach that it also applied on the day USG recognizes as the day off (12/25 a Saturday so federal holiday is actually 12/24). The latter I think is the fairer way unless you do not get paid for 12/24 as a holiday yourself in this example.

[Anonymous]

I specify holidays (and even list which ones are not paid days off, just to avoid confusion). I do give an alternate day off if the holiday falls on a weekend. I would not give an alternate day off for a nanny who works, say, M/W/F and the holiday falls on Thursday.

For our last nanny, who has once lost her license due to a variety of stupid young person things (mostly driving without a license), I also stipulated that she must maintain a valid license.

[Anonymous]

I agree on specifying two weeks accrued as time goes by. that said, we let our nanny take more than she has accrued around the December holidays. Seems mean not to, not to mention my family takes vacation at that time as well. In addition, I think 10 paid federal holidays are also standard in this area. Federal holidays always fall on week days, so it makes sense that they are paid. If the actual holiday falls on a Saturday, the federal holiday is the Friday before. If the actual holiday falls on a Sunday, the federal holiday is the Monday after.

[Anonymous]

Name the holidays that will be paid. Take the five minutes to scan next year's fed holiday schedule and save any possibility of confusion.

[Anonymous]

If possible give the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday.

[Anonymous]

Do a week trial period, but of course you'll both be on your best behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If possible give the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday.

I give this and Xmas Eve, but not President's Day or Columbus Day. There are a lot of holidays Nov - Jan.

[Anonymous]

In my contract I get Federal Holidays + any day the parent has a holiday from work.

[Anonymous]

2 weeks
federal holidays 9
sick days
pay foe her cell phone
pay foe her gas
bonus on her birthday
bonus on christmas
personal days
health insurance
pay for her food