Holiday Bonus

[Anonymous]

Our nanny has been with us for 2.5 years and I have always given two weeks’ worth of pay as a bonus at Christmas time. Given our financial situation (husband’s business took a nosedive due to Covid) I just can’t swing it this year. At most I could probably scrape by with a weeks’ pay. I’m embarrassed but there’s nothing I can do. Would you offer an explanation? I know it’s at least two months away but I’m stressing out about it. She knows we are struggling - I have not cut her pay or hours, she still gets PTO, holidays, benefits etc. Not that it matters.

[Anonymous]

Talk to her, not us.

[Anonymous]

I think you can be honest with her. I think most normal and mature people are understanding of what a lot of people are going through.

[Anonymous]

I would give an explanation because otherwise she might think it’s performance-related.

[Anonymous]

Can you swing a week off with pay instead of the bonus money?
Or one week bonus and one week paid time off extra?

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Do a combo of bonus and extra PTO, but let her pick when to use it.

[Anonymous]

If you are a good employer she will understand. Also the suggestion of offering PTO is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. It has been such a hard year on all of us. I would be honest with her, sooner than later, since she might overspend on the holidays if she assumes she will get a generous bonus again this year. I would not be angry at an employer who came to me and told me it was a tough year financially and my bonus will be smaller than usual.

A few other things to note:
1) If you can offer extra PTO, it will go a long way
2) Try not to pile on extra holiday-related work this year such as asking her to help prep the guest room for grandma or wrap presents during naptime.
3) If you are going to be buying elaborate gifts for family members be aware that watching you give a diamond necklace to your niece or a new ipad to your sister is going to feel to the nanny like you had the money, just felt her bonus wasn’t the priority. So if you think that’s going to be an issue, just keep those sorts of items put away during her work days.

[Anonymous]

Tell her, and if/when things change, give her the rest of the bonus in 2021, even if it's like ... March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to her, not us.

Go away and don't post nasty replies.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here.

I would appreciate my boss to be honest with me rather than getting a smaller bonus and think I did something wrong

I would absolutely appreciate extra time off instead of cash.

Good luck, talk to her

[Anonymous]

How did it go, OP?

[Anonymous]

I would find a way to make it work. To be honest if my boss doesn’t give me a bonus this year I am looking for another job. I’ve been teaching, cleaning and doing SO MUCH MORE during this pandemic. Maybe cut down on things for yourself and set something aside for the nanny? There’s always ways to cut back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP. Do a combo of bonus and extra PTO, but let her pick when to use it.

This and explain to her why.

[Anonymous]

This is why I kept my nanny’s holiday bonus to one week’s pay and instead give big milestone gifts instead. You never want to reduce someone’s compensation.