Another Camera Query.....Ugh!!.......

[Anonymous]

I started this week w/a brand-new Nanny Family that I met via good ol’ Care.com.
Phone interview went perfect. Check.
In-person meeting even better. Check.

As I was getting up to leave, the parents mentioned (as an afterthought) that there were open cameras in every room of the house, sans the bathroom.
They explained their previous Nanny was constantly on her phone while her baby was awake, plus she never engaged w/her (she is now 8 1/2 mos.)

While I totally can understand their apprehension re: Nannies, I was not gung ho on the cameras.
I have worked consistently as a Nanny for the past 17.5 yrs.
And to my knowledge, have never dealt w/being filmed before.

While I appreciate their full disclosure, I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable knowing I would be filmed for ten hours.
And heard too.
Yes, there is audio too.

I started Monday & thus far have worked two full days.
And I kind of dread going in tomorrow.

I felt really reserved in front of the cameras,
Like I couldn’t be my usually goofball self!

Plus knowing there was audio too, I was careful of each word I said (like making sure that I had all the words were concise!)
And due to my terrible “cannot carry a tune in a bucket” singing, I refrained from my usual singing banter.

I made sure not to yawn, take any time to just silently watch the baby play, etc.
I made sure I was always “on” if that makes any sense.

When the parents returned, they if course initially asked how the day went.
Me, wet behind the ears re: cameras assumed they already knew.
Even though the cameras are not IN the bathroom, they are positioned near the entrance.
*TMI ALERT:
I had my period today + didn’t want to be seen walking to the bathroom just carrying my pad, so I brought in my purse possibly looking a tad suspicious.

I told the parents since a baby/child was involved here, I wanted us to feel comfortable talking about any concerns, etc.
That open communication was a must.
And I told them I felt uncomfortable & reserved around the cameras.
I stressed there is a chance that eventually I may get used to them and that would be great!
But there was a possibility that I may not and wanted to give them a clear heads up too.

They said they understood & couldn’t have been any nicer to me, but responded that they could compromise on other things, but not the cameras.
I told them that everything else was great and that I sincerely wanted this job to work out.
They are nice people, the baby is very easy thus far, the commute is only ten minutes plus it is a laid-back job.
No bathing or laundry duties required.

Guys,
What should I do??
And would audio bother you?

Is it even legal? - We are located in N. California, close to Sacramento.

[Anonymous]

I thought you had to have one or the other in a home setting. You can have video and no audio or audio and no video. I’ve had one family who had a nanny cam but it was only in the living room. After a couple months they unplugged it. It’s diffently weird knowing someone is watching you for 10 hours. Stick it out through the week and see how you feel. Me and my charge would be out the house throughout the day if I knew I was being watched like a hawk. If it’s still bothering you then you have no other choice but to leave. Let them know you thought it wouldn’t bother you but it does, and you feel very uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

You have to learn to get used to cameras, OP. It is just the way it is now. I don't even think about it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Of course it is legal! They disclosed the cameras and you agreed to be on camera.

You'll get used to them after awhile and forget they are even there. My employers have cameras set up all over the house and outside (in Los Angeles). I never think about them and act as I always do.

[Anonymous]

You have to get used to them, OP, or find another career path.

I personally like cameras in the home. I work really hard with my charge and I want my employers to see.

[Anonymous]

My nanny family has cameras. We are prett much never home because of this reason. I also hide in the bathroom during nap time because heaven forbid I actually sit and rest while the baby sleeps! I am looking for another job.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, you’ll have to deal.

Good luck finding a family without some sort of surveillance video. It may be primarily for home protection, but most families have caneras. I’m in my late 20s and have two cameras in my apartment.


It is unfortunate, I’m definitely more reserved and less silly when I know a camera is around. But it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing illegal about having cameras, even with audio, since it is your employer’s home. The wiretapping laws you may be thinking of only protect you from someone recording you in your house (or bedroom/bathroom if you were a live-in.

If you have a micromanage-y employer that watches the cameras all day, that is a bad relationship and you should get out. But most employers look at cameras pretty sparingly because they miss their kid while at work, or keep it for general security. 90% of the things my nanny tells me about my kid’s day, i’ve never seen on the cameras even though I could go back and review them.

Besides the nanny, we also have handymen, house cleaners or landscapers come through frequently. And if we have a break-in, the camera footage is going to be helpful in any police investigation. I’m in the same camp as your bosses where i can compromise on other things to keep a good nanny happy but security isn’t one of them.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you’re saying about feeling awkward and feeling like you always have to be “on” with cameras. That’s how I felt when I worked at this daycare that had cameras where the parents and my bosses could see.

It’s a little stressful. You feel that they would feel put out if they saw you doing “nothing” or looked in when you were having a bit of a down moment. It’s really hard to be constantly “on” all the time, though. Sometimes you just need a second. And you want them to see you at your best always, but you never know when they’re watching. That’s the part that stresses me out.

[Anonymous]

You get used to them. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

You never know who exactly is watching you all day. Too creepy for me!!

[Anonymous]

i had one family who had cameras in every room. they had two in the hallway. they had them in the child's room, the living room, and kitchen. after i had worked for them for six months and everything was going well-constant positive praise, being handed cash and asked to go on shopping trips, taking the child all around the city, etc.-they decided to have several more cameras installed WHILE I WAS WORKING because they were concerned there were some angles from which they could not see. they would watch us on their phones and would text me and criticize what i was doing. they then casually told me that they didn't think they would need me for very many hours the following month. they said to me "i think you should find another way to get money until school starts in the fall". i started looking for another job right away. when the time that they told me they wouldn't need my help came, they actually expected me to show up the following week. i found another job that paid me $5 more an hour with guaranteed hours and quit with no notice. my point is, someone who doesn't trust other people is often an untrustworthy person themselves. i wouldn't work for them.

[Anonymous]

There's just something a little sick about people wanting to watch your every move while you're trying to develop a good healthy relationship with a person...
kind of like those ridiculous reality shows. But some people might really like doing that with the world watching. And yes, the employers can put a "funny" clip of you on YouTube with your name, if they want. Ha, ha!

[Anonymous]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my posting.

It makes me feel good to know that it is just me, that it would bother some of you as well.

I know I am in excellent company.

-OP

[Anonymous]

*not just me