Severance or parting gift?

[Anonymous]

We gave our nanny 3 months notice due to life changes and even offered to help her find another position with the same pay scale. She declined any help to find a new job.

How much severance are we required to give her? She worked for us for two years. Or do we just give her a parting gift? She was paid 50hrs a week @ 25$ an hour.

FYI I feel we are ending on good terms and we really love her and shebis great at her job.

[Anonymous]

No requirement. What would you like to give her?

[Anonymous]

You're not required to do anything. Seems like you've been generous in notice and compensation. I think a nice parting gift, and a wonderful reference, would be appropriate.

[Anonymous]

If she did a good job for two years, one or two weeks' severance would be very thoughtful of you even though it's not officially required.

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP here we were actually feeling pressured to give her 2-3 months severance or until she finds a new job on her own.

Lots to discuss with DH

[Anonymous]

Three months notice of her position ending fully offsets any need for severance whatsoever IMO.

Of course, she might leave before that three month period is up - that's the risk you take in being so generous with notice. So you could offer a completion bonus of some amount if she sees you through the full 3 months. Maybe an additional flat amount, or one weeks pay or something, if you want to ensure not having to fill the gap.

But severance is for when you let someone go with little notice, not for when you give three months notice of a position ending.

[Anonymous]

Actually the end of the three months is here and I will be staying at home in two weeks. She has been great and still given 100%. We offered time off to look for a job or interview she declined and has worked full hours since we told her.

I don't want want her struggle financially and I also want to treat her well. Never been through this before

[Anonymous]

Then if you want to give her a parting gift - whether it's cash or not - it's totally up to you OP. You're not obligated to anything, and you have already treated her well.

So anything you want to do is lovely I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Three months notice of her position ending fully offsets any need for severance whatsoever IMO.

Of course, she might leave before that three month period is up - that's the risk you take in being so generous with notice. So you could offer a completion bonus of some amount if she sees you through the full 3 months. Maybe an additional flat amount, or one weeks pay or something, if you want to ensure not having to fill the gap.

But severance is for when you let someone go with little notice, not for when you give three months notice of a position ending.

No. Just look up the word.

[Anonymous]

Since you gave her so much notice OP, I don't think that you "have " to give her anything, however considering she did such a superior job for two years, I would give her as much as I could afford to. Plus a nice parting gift would be awesome as well!

[Anonymous]

2 weeks and a small parting gift is nice. Maybe a 50 dollar gift card to someplace she likes.

[Anonymous]

OP are you from outside the US? I'm asking just because everywhere but here, severance in addition to notice is either required or extremely customary.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP here no we are originally from the south. Some might say another country

Waiting for my DH to get home and we'll discuss what we can swing financially.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else find it odd that she refused any assistance from OP to find another position?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone else find it odd that she refused any assistance from OP to find another position?

Why? The best (and luckiest!) nanny don't need help.