Stipend changes -
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Anonymous
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Hi all. First time HM and we started the program without awareness of the au pair lawsuit (for Betty pay). A few days before we picked up AP, I read about the lawsuit in the news and our agency sent an email.
I am considering another year in the program, but am noticing language in the host family agreement has changed to say something like "stipend will be paid in accordance with DoS guidelines" yet I cannot find any formula or guideline on the DoS page. I see Cultural Cares website still indicates $196 as the minimum. But their language also says "stipend amount is set by DoS and subject to change at any time." Is there a way to figure it out by locality? And would there be a discount from minimum wage because of room and board? I want to figure out clearly what highest pay scenario could be if stipend changes. At last night's home Interview, LCC said soon au pairs will negotiate their pay. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| *better pay not Betty |
Anonymous
| The lawsuit really didn't change anything, except now the agencies are required to tell HF and AP that they can negotiate pay. Technically you're supposed to pay at least minimum wage, though it's unclear how you account for room and board. So if you want to be really safe, make sure you are paying above min wage. We only use 25 hours a week so it's not an issue, but if you're using 45 hours you would have to pay more. But...most people still don't. If I had to pay min wage plus all the other expenses (room and board, car insurance, cell phone, vacations, etc...), I'd leave the program. |
Anonymous
| To the PP: minimum wage where I am with room and board on top, then? There's no downward adjustment of minimum wage to account for the room and board? Thank you, just making sure I've got it right and I appreciate your super helpful response! |
Anonymous
The stipend is already based on a formula to deduct 40% for room and board. However, it does not take localities into account (both minimum wage and cost of living differences). Many families just pay stipend because of this. You will find some families believe they're morally obligated to pay full minimum wage without deductions. This decision is ultimately up to you on what you believe is fair and doable for your situation. Also, there has not been an adjustment to the stipend for many years now. So it's potentially overdue. |
Anonymous
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The lawsuit attempted to get a ruling that the APs are subject to the Department of Labor rules which are extensive. They didn’t get that ruling because they settled (although I believe there is still a case In Mass on this issue).
Department of state regulates au pairs. So you do not have to pay min wage and not deduct for room and board. The stipend already factors that in though it is long overdue. That saiid, if you are using the full 45 hours or close to it, I would pay more. I hate the bs cover their asses language in the agency agreements. Not helpful. |
Anonymous
| I have always felt like the minimum stipends for an Au pair should be based on number of kids and location, it doesn’t seem fair that a girl working 25 hours a week looking after one school aged kid in Idaho is paid the same as an Au pair looking after 4 kids in San Francisco yet most families seem happy to stick to the 196$ regardless of their own situation. |
Anonymous
| Most of the families who claim that they are paying minimum wage are full of it. They will say - I only use her for 20 hours a week, so I pay minimum wage for those 20 hours, except they are paying for the opportunity to have a flexible schedule up to 45 hours - they aren't paying them for the opportunity to have them for the full 45 - which they would need to do with a nanny. Moreover, many families lie and say that the AP will only be watching 1 kid - and then summer rolls around, and they are stuck with four kids at a time. |
Anonymous
| This is a voluntary program. An au pair who feels they are being cheated can go home and get a job as a nanny in their home country with all the pay and benefits afford it to them by their countries regulations and laws. |
Anonymous
And any host family that feels entitled to childcare for $4.35 an hour (196/45 hours) and is surprised when their au pair leaves is free to hire a nanny with all the pay and benefits expected in this country and as governed by regulations and laws. You know, paying into disability and providing unemployment if necessary. Paying overtime as required. Abiding by local minimum wage laws (some of which are $15 an hour, not $7.25) - although good luck getting someone for minimum wage. |
Anonymous
Sure. Will do this as soon as the agencies provide dorms with cafeterias/kitchenettes and au pair begins paying for her car insurance, smart phone plan, and insurance plan. |
Anonymous
This. We are a family who treats the stipend as a minimum. We are in Virginia and pay the minimum wage, all documented. The range for us is 200-$362.50 However our kids are school aged and we usually only use 25hts at the very most. |
Anonymous
| In NYC the minimum wage is now $15. You can’t seriously think families there must pay $15/hour on top of room and board in the most expensive city in the country? |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
The day I'm required to pay my AP $362 on top of room, board, insurance, etc is the day I leave the program. |