Common nanny employment contract terms

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any insights into common and/or recommended terms to include in an employment agreement for a nanny? I assume items like pay, taxes, duration, and grounds for termination are standard fare, but does anyone have a comprehensive list of issues that should be memorialized in the contract? Good sample contracts would also be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

You can google to find that. Just grab the paragraphs from a few that make sense to you and create your own contract.

One thing I notice people here seem to often have a problem with is vacation. Nobody seems to know that you don't give the nanny their year's worth of vacation all on January 1. THey're always surprised when come summer, the nanny wants to take time off even though they've used up all their vacation time. In the contract DH and I have with our nanny, vacation time is earned in bits per each pay period.

[Anonymous]

sick policy
Bonus/raise
Inclement weather
PTO/ Time off notice
Traveling
Benefits (e.g. health insurance) if applicable
Responsibilities
Tardiness (for both employer and employee)
Communication expectations on both ends

[Anonymous]

Thanks. These responses are really helpful. On responsibilities, is it typical to limit the requirements to just those tasks that relate to the baby/child (eg, changing diapers, feeding, naps)? Or is it reasonable to assume that other household chores (eg, washing/cleaning, trash disposal, cooking, etc.) should be included? How much pushback do nannies typically give on this?

[Anonymous]

I heard it is important to clarify that the employee not is “at will” meaning it can be terminated any time. Otherwise it can come off as a yearlong contract where you can’t quit in the middle. Rare but happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. These responses are really helpful. On responsibilities, is it typical to limit the requirements to just those tasks that relate to the baby/child (eg, changing diapers, feeding, naps)? Or is it reasonable to assume that other household chores (eg, washing/cleaning, trash disposal, cooking, etc.) should be included? How much pushback do nannies typically give on this?

This is something you talk through with your nanny. In general you're hiring someone to care for your kids. So they ... care for your kids. Often that includes kid laundry and meals for the kids while they are there, but it's not their job to wash your underwear, do landscaping and dust the living room. Personally, DH and I wanted our nanny to run some errands for us each week (dry-cleaning, farmer's market, etc.) so we agreed on that and tossed a certain number of non-kid related errands per week into the contract.

[Anonymous]

Here’s a good outline of things to include. Apparently, you can also request a free copy of their sample contract: https://www.care.com/homepay/sample-nanny-contract

[Anonymous]

Any people who have permission to pick up kids (typically grandparents and other relatives only)
Any people who are not t be around the kids (nanny can only remove the kids or close the door, unless there’s a TRO)
Expectations for kid/nanny illness/injury
Anything related to vehicles, insurance, car seats, etc
Hours, rate, payment method and frequency, taxes, etc.
Vacation, pto, sick leave, accrual, usage, notice, whether unpaid is allowed when paid runs out, how much con
Required vaccinations and proof
Any background checks you want to run
Trial period
Duties (you need to iron these out during interviews, just list the agreed duties in the contract) and frequency
Pets
What happens when your relatives visit

Anything else you want to include. Think about the best and worst outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. These responses are really helpful. On responsibilities, is it typical to limit the requirements to just those tasks that relate to the baby/child (eg, changing diapers, feeding, naps)? Or is it reasonable to assume that other household chores (eg, washing/cleaning, trash disposal, cooking, etc.) should be included? How much pushback do nannies typically give on this?

You’ll have to ask nanny if she’s ok with those (outside of childcare) task. When you implement those responsibilities in your contract then nanny is typically classified as a nanny + household manager. In that case, expect to pay $30 +

[Anonymous]

Medical release form
Car/driving rules and regulations
Visitors
Outings
Inclement Weather
Privacy clause
Cameras
Social media
Phone useage
Emergency contacts for both kids and nanny
Travel
Overnights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard it is important to clarify that the employee not is “at will” meaning it can be terminated any time. Otherwise it can come off as a yearlong contract where you can’t quit in the middle. Rare but happens.

This should read “is at will”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard it is important to clarify that the employee not is “at will” meaning it can be terminated any time. Otherwise it can come off as a yearlong contract where you can’t quit in the middle. Rare but happens.

This should read “is at will”.

I don’t sign any contract that states I’m “at will” unless it also spells out severance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard it is important to clarify that the employee not is “at will” meaning it can be terminated any time. Otherwise it can come off as a yearlong contract where you can’t quit in the middle. Rare but happens.

This should read “is at will”.

I don’t sign any contract that states I’m “at will” unless it also spells out severance.

The job is “at will”, meaning you can quit at any time for any reason too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard it is important to clarify that the employee not is “at will” meaning it can be terminated any time. Otherwise it can come off as a yearlong contract where you can’t quit in the middle. Rare but happens.

This should read “is at will”.

I don’t sign any contract that states I’m “at will” unless it also spells out severance.

The job is “at will”, meaning you can quit at any time for any reason too.

So? I don’t need that, as my contracts cover me better, and they include notice and/or severance. “At will” means that I can be fired with neither.

I have specific conditions written into my contracts for immediate termination of the contract due to behavior from either employer or nanny. I have never been terminated for any of them, nor have I had reason to terminate due to that. Otherwise, I stay until I’m given notice that I’m not needed. I don’t quit over a minor difference in opinion, nor for a minor personality conflict.