I don't give ultimatums and I don't negotiate - I have told MB this.

[Anonymous]

I have been with a part-time family for nearly two years and have not received a raise or increase in benefits. At the two year mark, I will be requiring a raise as well as an increase in guaranteed hours and my away rate.

I truly love this family. They are very high profile and in order to state my desire for a raise, I will also have to email their business managers so I was going to ask even MB in a CCed email.

I will give notice if my requests are not met but will absolutely NOT state that. I feel either the family values me or not - and if not, I am offered other positions like this one pretty much on a monthly basis and don't even really need the money. I will have no problem giving notice. I will miss their little boys but am sure I am doing the right thing.

So, how do I word this email?


Thank you so much for any assistance.

[Anonymous]

Even if you have to go through the business managers I would have a personal conversation about it first with MB. Something like I really enjoy working with you, to continue I will need x and x. If she tries to negotiate just say that your requirements are firm.

[Anonymous]

What you are describing is how rate setting works for independent contractors but not usually employees (household or otherwise). You could send an email that as of x date your rates will be increasing to $yz per hour and you will require a minimum of xx hours per week. But be aware that this will come across oddly and make you look pretty out of touch with the norms around salary negotiations for employees. Usually, this email would look something more like "I have been with your family for two years, and to keep my pay in line with my increased duties and market rates, I would like to discuss raising my pay to $yz."

[Anonymous]

If you want to stay, don't do this through an email. You can follow up a conversation in writing, but talk to them first. One of the PPs has good advice on how to do this (10:25 above).

[Anonymous]

Good plan to have a tantrum. Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good plan to have a tantrum. Good luck with that.

I don't understand this post.

[Anonymous]

high profile, ok fine. but do you not ever see them in order to discuss it in person first? I could see you emailing after attempting a person to person convo. but the email may rub them the wrong way out of the blue.

[Anonymous]

Start with a conversation with one or both parents. "Jane, could we set a time to touch base on my performance, compensation, etc...?"

Then talk to them.

A lot depends on how part-time you are probably. But your overall approach (IMO) should be more personal and less adversarial right off the bat. I also don't think you can "require an increase in guaranteed hours".

You should be prepared to walk away, as you say you are.

As an employer I can tell you that if you approached me with anything resembling the tone in your post here it would be a non-starter.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't sound like such a great job to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good plan to have a tantrum. Good luck with that.

I don't understand this post.

Instead of nicely asking for a raise and documenting why, you are having a tantrum. Just because the parents are wealthy, does not mean you are entitled to be paid more especially if you are at market rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good plan to have a tantrum. Good luck with that.

I don't understand this post.

Instead of nicely asking for a raise and documenting why, you are having a tantrum. Just because the parents are wealthy, does not mean you are entitled to be paid more especially if you are at market rate.

I am not having a tantrum - I am stating the facts. I don't negotiate and I don't give ultimatums. I have every intention of asking "nicely" for a raise and an increase in benefits. Being "entitled" has nothing to do with anything.

Thank you, everyone for your suggestions - I think it is a good point that I speak to my MB about it first. Then follow up with an email to their business manager. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's unreasonable to raise your rate or ask for perks/extra benefits after 2 years, but unilaterally raising your number of hours seems weird. Like, what if they don't need that much childcare? I would be baffled if my nanny did that (unless there was some reasonable explanation -- I.e., I use that many hours 50%+ of the time but won't guarantee them, then maybe).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's unreasonable to raise your rate or ask for perks/extra benefits after 2 years, but unilaterally raising your number of hours seems weird. Like, what if they don't need that much childcare? I would be baffled if my nanny did that (unless there was some reasonable explanation -- I.e., I use that many hours 50%+ of the time but won't guarantee them, then maybe).

OP here. Not my hours, my guaranteed hours. I generally work 24 hours on weekends, two 12 hour shifts, but an only guaranteed 10 hours when they go out of town. They go out of town frequently at a moment's notice after I've already blocked out the two twelve hour shifts for them. I want to increase my guaranteed hours, not my actual hours.

[Anonymous]

Have a convo first. Don't go full bitch in the first email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have a convo first. Don't go full bitch in the first email.

This cracked me up. Wonderfully pithy and yet says it all.