I’ve never had such a horrid experience

[Anonymous]

I just want to go home


I’m working as a travel nanny this summer before I start grad school. I nannied part-time for an amazing family while finishing school and they treated me like gold.

A friend suggested a travel nanny agency. I’ve traveled with two families already and they were great and it was an amazing experience. They did it all by the books and were very kind. I was able to travel to places I’d never be able to go otherwise.

Now I’m on day 7 of 18 with a family that seemed so nice when we met but as soon as we got on our flight they did a 180. I feel so disrespected and mistreated. They aren’t following through with anything promised. I don’t have my own room (I sleep on an air mattress next to the toddler in her pack n’ play). When we went over everything with the agency, I didn’t get paid for nights because I’d be “off” and have my own room. I’m still not being paid for nights and I’m sharing a sleep space and the times the toddler did wake, no one came in to settle her so it was always me. So I’m barely getting any sleep, and not even being paid for my nights. The biggest deal is that when we go out to eat, which is at least twice a day, they don’t pay for my meals. The past two families would pay for my meals. They said they don’t have to pay for me meals, but provide me with food. So I have a small fridge with sandwich ingredients and granola bars. I still must go to the dinner or lunch, but must pay out of my own pocket what I order. We’ve been going to super expensive restaurants I can’t afford. It makes me feel so uneasy when I’m sitting eating a granola bar as they have a massive continental breakfast. I can only eat so many sandwiches.

I contacted the agency and they basically said they don’t care. They told me if I leave early, I can’t work for the agency anymore. I mentioned the contract we had (it’s suppose to be the same for every family) isn’t being followed and they said that it can be discussed when we get back.

I want to leave. I’m being treated like scum, and I’ve never experienced this before. I’m never called by my name, the kids are so disrespectful and I basically pick up after everyone. The Dad is super creepy and the mom is so snotty and has commented on my weight numerous times (and I’m not overweight, she’s just super fit).

I want to cry, but I don’t know how I can leave. I don’t know if I could afford the flight back, and not sure how I could even get to the airport. We’re a few hours away from the airport we flew into, and the culture and language is foreign to me.

Absolutely worst experience. I can’t do this for 11 more days.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry to hear this, OP. I know you feel stuck right now and I think the lack of support from your agency is appalling. If you do decide to leave, the hotel's concierge can probably help you arrange transportation to the airport. It might be worth talking to them to see what your options are for returning home.

[Anonymous]

What agency is this OP?

I had a similar situation with an agency based out of DC. I was mistreated and threatened and the agency did not care. Left early and was never paid. This was 17 years ago, but this agency still exists.

[Anonymous]

I’m confused. What type of room are you in at night? You have an air mattress, toddler has a pack n play? This isn’t even a bedroom with a bed?

I would call the agency ASAP and let them know explicitly what the conditions are. I would record a short video each night of saying goodnight to the toddler and then note that I’m going to get ready for bed and be next to her all night. I would also record a video after each wake up (“It’s 3.25, I just finished settling Larla for the second time tonight;” treat it like a vlog, but with no intention of posting it). I would take pictures of the whole area, and screenshot text conversations. Finally, if the agency was unwilling to be reasonable, I would switch agencies and sue the family for breach of contract and unpaid wages (if you aren’t getting 5 hours consecutive sleep, they need to pay for all overnight hours).

[Anonymous]

Write down everything that's happening.

7/20/23 - Told I had to share room with baby despite contract (see attached, Paragraph 8) saying I would have my own room

Be prepared to sue them and the agency for breach of contract when you get back.

Do not order anything at the expensive restaurants. When the waiter looks at you just smile and say "I'll stick with my water, thank you."

[Anonymous]

Op, I would leave. Screw the agency because they clearly do not have your back. I would take pictures and video of everything. When you get home post a negative review, send this off to a local news outlet, and possibly sue the family and agency.

[Anonymous]

I would leave and I wouldn't have stuck around this long; and honestly, I'm scared you won't even get paid once this is over. I would write a review and then, I would demand to be paid and reimbursed for the money you spent on food (if it was specified in your contact that this was one of the benefits). That contract is a LEGAL document.

Take pictures of everything (bed, food etc.) and keep all receipts of everything you purchased that should have been purchased by the parent as stated in your contract. Now, if you don't have a contract, then, I'm sorry, you're just SOL- but I would blast them EVERYWHERE!!!

This is terrible!! Sorry you're going through this.

[Anonymous]

I would consider physically moving the pack n play into the parents room and reiterating that nights are not a part of your contract and you are unable to accept additional work hours not outlined in the contract.

The food situation is insulting, but there is nothing to be done about that other than add a stipulation about restaurants in future contracts and pack your food for now.

[Anonymous]

these people sound awful. i agree that they seem like the type to try and avoid paying you altogether, or to claim that you were negligent, lied, etc. to the agency. you need to get out of there.
if this is how the agency is going to treat you when there is a problem, then you shouldn't ever work for them again.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry, OP. It doesn’t sound like you can leave so just make the best of it. Accept that these horrid people will not treat you well and just smile and bear it. Count the hours.

Never work for that agency again. If they are on social media, give them a horrible review. You could even try to sue them.

[Anonymous]

I am absolutely flabbergasted at your situation!!

And so very sorry to you OP ~ Sounds like you got suckered in by this cheap, hustling family & possibly the sub par agency.

I wish you could leave, but from what you describe it doesn’t look like you can w/out any money.
I personally think the damn agency should fly you home, but from what you stated they don’t seem very loyal to their Nannies at all.

Do you have a close friend or relative who could possibly front you some money to leave, then when you get home you can sue the agency/family.

This family sounds utterly cheap and disrespectful.
Tenfold.
Shame on them for not paying for you to eat your meals w/them and for not even providing you a real bed to sleep in.
It seems they are trying to get away w/the bare minimum here.

Even if you are not successful in getting what you are owed by them - you should do EVERYTHING in your personal power to let others know exactly what happened to you AND the agency that you dealt with.

No Nanny should have to endure any of what you are describing!!

(((((( HUGS ))))))

[Anonymous]

So sorry op hang in there.

[Anonymous]

How much are you making op ?

[Anonymous]

Please, OP, name the agency so we can all avoid it. Doesn’t matter what city you are in - we have nannies on this board from all over the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I would leave. Screw the agency because they clearly do not have your back. I would take pictures and video of everything. When you get home post a negative review, send this off to a local news outlet, and possibly sue the family and agency.

Leave. I would have left on day two. You have a contract and consult an attorney. Sue the couple and the agency. Take pics and record as much as possible.