Raises: What's Appropriate for Annual Raise Plus New Baby Raise?

[Anonymous]

Hi all, Our nanny "Mia" has been with us for almost a year. We plan to give her a raise at the one-year mark, but I'm having trouble getting a sense of what's normal for DC.

This is her first ever nanny position. We currently pay her $20/hr, with standard 2 wks vaca + 5 sick days + 5 "covid" days for any testing, holiday bonus. (This maybe sounds low for DC proper, but we also cover her health insurance, plus a $600/mo housing stipend so she could get a place without roommates during the pandemic).

She's amazing with my firstborn, and he adores her. We definitely want her to feel like her time and natural talents are being respected.

My instinct here is to offer a $2/hr raise for her 1-year anniversary in a few weeks. I learned this week we're expecting a second baby in April 2022, so I'm thinking about another $1/hr when the new baby arrives.

Lot of factors here, but mostly I'm asking--what annual raise do you offer your nanny? What raise when a new baby was added? Did the new-baby raise happen right away, or after the conclusion of maternity/paternity leave when they start caring for both kids full time?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP here--forgot to add that the $600/mo housing stipend was intended as a stopgap measure until all the adults could be vaccinated. We all are now, and the stipend will end when her lease ends this winter.

[Anonymous]

A dollar raise at one year mark and a dollar more when the new addition arrives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A dollar raise at one year mark and a dollar more when the new addition arrives.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would do $1 for the annual raise and $2 after your maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

$1 at the year and then $2 for new baby

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$1 at the year and then $2 for new baby

+1. The annual raise should remain constant.

[Anonymous]

$1 for annual raise and $2-3 for each additional child. Your package is more than generous, especially with it being her first nanny position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$1 for annual raise and $2-3 for each additional child. Your package is more than generous, especially with it being her first nanny position.

I will add, the raise kicks in when nanny starts caring for the baby. If you’re on maternity leave but have her watch the baby for 2 hours, you pay her for those 2 hours at the 2 child rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$1 for annual raise and $2-3 for each additional child. Your package is more than generous, especially with it being her first nanny position.

I will add, the raise kicks in when nanny starts caring for the baby. If you’re on maternity leave but have her watch the baby for 2 hours, you pay her for those 2 hours at the 2 child rate.

Stupid advice and a truly foolish economy. Is the nanny not going to do the newborn’s laundry or wash your pumping parts and bottles? Is she not going to plan quiet activities or leave the house when you and baby are sleeping? Don’t you want the older child to start seeing nanny care for baby and incorporate the baby into their play?!

Don’t nickel and dime your nanny for a minor savings. This would be a really bad time to lose her.

[Anonymous]

$2 bucks for COL raise and $1 for new baby. Make it $5 as babies are a lot of trouble particularly with another child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here--forgot to add that the $600/mo housing stipend was intended as a stopgap measure until all the adults could be vaccinated. We all are now, and the stipend will end when her lease ends this winter.

So she is losing $600/month and you want to give her one buck for a new baby! I would quit on the spot. Give her the $2.00 COL increase and $3.00/ hr for new baby. You nickle and dime her and she will leave.