Overnight rate: Who is right?

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of discussion about overnight rates so I just wanted to know what the norm is before I submit my hours to my boss. We have agreed that the overnight rate is $100 but is that from 9pm-7am (when the kids sleep) or 11pm to 7am when I sleep? My boss is amazing and she would pay either way, but I want to know I'm charging the right rate. Kids are 10,8,4 and 2.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to add, the 2 year old sleeps like a log, no wake ups at night.

[Anonymous]

When the kids are asleep.

[Anonymous]

Your rate would begin at 9PM once the kiddos are all in bed & asleep.

You should be fully compensated for the two hours you will be awake since you will technically be "on-the-clock" and those would be working hours.

Hope this helps out.

[Anonymous]

In my mind it depends on what you will be doing during those hours. If you will just be relaxing 9-11, then I would include that in the overnight charge. If you will be cleaning up, packing lunches, folding laundry, letting the dog out, prepping an art project for tomorrow, etc. during that time, then I would charge full rate dor those 2 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my mind it depends on what you will be doing during those hours. If you will just be relaxing 9-11, then I would include that in the overnight charge. If you will be cleaning up, packing lunches, folding laundry, letting the dog out, prepping an art project for tomorrow, etc. during that time, then I would charge full rate dor those 2 hours.

I agree with this. The kids (5, 9 and 11) go to bed around 9:00, but I can't go to sleep until I know they are really asleep. In the meantime, I'm usually cleaning up from dinner, picking up toys, and getting things in order for the next day. I usually charge my regular time until 10:30 or 11:00.

[Anonymous]

IMO the "overnight rate" is for when the kids are asleep, presuming you are not expected to be doing any other work related tasks during that time. If the kids are reliably asleep from 8 pm to 7 am then the $100 covers that time frame, regardless of how long you may or may not sleep.

Your hourly (or overtime) rate should be paid for any hours the kids are awake.

[Anonymous]

I will take a flat rate for the hours that I sleep, as long as it's 5+ continuous hours. All hours when I am awake are paid at my hourly rate, including overtime is necessary.

[Anonymous]

I would count it probably from 10pm. Usually kids won't fall asleep RIGHT at their bedtime...they might get up, ask for a water, a story, etc. I would do overnight rate 10pm-7am and regular rate (or OT) before and after Those hours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will take a flat rate for the hours that I sleep, as long as it's 5+ continuous hours. All hours when I am awake are paid at my hourly rate, including overtime is necessary.

To me that depends on why you aren't sleeping. If the kids are in bed at 8, but I really want to see SNL tonight because I like the guest host, or I can't wait until tomorrow to see how my novel ends, that's entirely different than I need to do a load of laundry because of the toilet training toddler, then make lunches for school tomorrow, and let the dog out one last time. In the latter case, an hourly rate is totally appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will take a flat rate for the hours that I sleep, as long as it's 5+ continuous hours. All hours when I am awake are paid at my hourly rate, including overtime is necessary.

To me that depends on why you aren't sleeping. If the kids are in bed at 8, but I really want to see SNL tonight because I like the guest host, or I can't wait until tomorrow to see how my novel ends, that's entirely different than I need to do a load of laundry because of the toilet training toddler, then make lunches for school tomorrow, and let the dog out one last time. In the latter case, an hourly rate is totally appropriate.

I don't differentiate. If I'm babysitting for 6 hours and 3 happen to be after the kids' bedtime, I'm not going to discount my hourly rate. The same goes for when I do multi-day gigs with overnights. I normally sleep about 8 hours per night, and I give the parents an estimate based on those numbers. Most of the time, the kids wake at least once or twice so the family pays hourly for at least one night. I've never had a family complain about my rates.