Bonus less than previous years

[Anonymous]

I’ve been with my nanny family for 5 years, since the twins were born. The first 3years I received a weeks salary bonus, then last year half a week, and this year it’s was a 1/4 week. The dad (single father) seems happy with me and I’m still employed, so I’m not sure what I did wrong? To put it in perspective, first 3 years bonus was $900, last year $400, this year $200. Should I talk to DB and ask about my performance and things he wants me to do differently? I wouldn't mention the bonus, of course. Last year the boys started pre-K so my hours were reduced, so I kind of understood the reduced bonus. But nothing has changed with my hours from last year to this year, so I’m wondering if I did something wrong. I really like the job and it’s my unicorn family, so I want to do whatever I can to fix things. Dad hasn’t mentioned I’ve done anything wrong, so I don’t know if this is his way of letting me know I’m not working hard enough? I really wish he would just tell me if I’ve done something so I could fix it, because this job is really important to me.

(And no he isn’t having financial problems, so I feel like I must have done something wrong??)

Thank you in advance!

[Anonymous]

I wonder why you’re sure he didn’t have financial problems. We had to cut back a lot of our typical bonuses this year (our secretaries, housekeeper etc) for reasons our nanny wouldn’t know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why you’re sure he didn’t have financial problems. We had to cut back a lot of our typical bonuses this year (our secretaries, housekeeper etc) for reasons our nanny wouldn’t know.

I don’t want to give away too much info, but Dad is extremely wealthy so it would be very unlikely. My annual salary is probably 1/100th of his annual income.

[Anonymous]

He doesn't appreciate or respect your work and for the length of time that you've been there, $200 ,is an insult. I would start looking for new job. What a cheap jerk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why you’re sure he didn’t have financial problems. We had to cut back a lot of our typical bonuses this year (our secretaries, housekeeper etc) for reasons our nanny wouldn’t know.

You should have cut back on your own expenes but not on employee bonus or COL increases.

[Anonymous]

That is troubling, OP, but I wouldn’t address it directly. A bonus is a gift. I’m sorry. That’s no way to start the new year.

[Anonymous]

Aren't you capable of honestly evaluating yourself and how you're doing? If YOU know you're not working hard enough, then change that. You shouldn't need someone else to tell you that you're doing a crappy job.

[Anonymous]

maybe because the boys is now much older and your daily tasks is not as much as before.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you cannot mention the lesser bonus/gift, but you most certainly could and should ask for an annual review. It’s a great way to clear the air and have both employer and employee talk about areas that need improvement or changes that need to be made in both job and employer issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why you’re sure he didn’t have financial problems. We had to cut back a lot of our typical bonuses this year (our secretaries, housekeeper etc) for reasons our nanny wouldn’t know.

You should have cut back on your own expenes but not on employee bonus or COL increases.

Is there anything worse than people who count your money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that you cannot mention the lesser bonus/gift, but you most certainly could and should ask for an annual review. It’s a great way to clear the air and have both employer and employee talk about areas that need improvement or changes that need to be made in both job and employer issues.

+1. Ask to schedule this sit-down after the first of the year. Don’t mention the bonus - ever.

[Anonymous]

Op here- Thanks everyone for the advice! I would never mention the bonus, I just wanted to ask about it here anonymously. I will schedule a meeting in the new year and hopefully DB can give me some idea of what’s going on. I’ll just ask if he’s happy with my performance and if there’s anything he would like me to change.

[Anonymous]

Eh. Twin newborns are insane and so much work. Twin five year olds are hard but not insane. Yes it sucks, but the dad might just be feeling that the work is less. But you should start to talk about the future with him. Does he want to keep you for kindergarten? House manager position?
Should you look for another job?

[Anonymous]

I think once the holidays are over - you should request a meeting w/your DB and ask him to let you know if there is anything about your job performance that he may be concerned about.

I do not think age should make a bonus decrease.
And since he is not having $$ issues, then he should have given you the same bonus amount every year.

If he thinks you are doing a stellar job, then I have zero explanation for your bonus amount going down.....

[Anonymous]

But why not say you’re unhappy with the job performance, instead of just decreasing the bonus? That’s not very nice. Doesn’t give nanny the chance to improve and now nanny also needs to be a kind reader to figure out what she did wrong!