Under the table

[Anonymous]

IS anyone else finding that nanny candidates are increasingly asking to be paid off the books? Why do you think this is so much more common now?

[Anonymous]

I think it’s always been common. I also think there are just as many employers who aren’t willing to pay on the books. It took me about 2 months to find a job that was willing to pay legally.

[Anonymous]

I would look at where you are advertising and the compensation package you are offering. It has to be enough for a candidate to reasonably live in the area.

i.e. all of these families offering $18-21hr clearly don't understand that no one can live on take home pay of $14-17hr. Rent alone would be 50% or more of their monthly take home.

[Anonymous]

Some of us need to stay on our insurance and the additional income would disqualify us. Just the messenger, I ddn't create the f***D up health care system

[Anonymous]

Its always been the case. Usually its so they earn more since they don't need to pay taxes, and it makes the eligible for health insurance, food stamps, child care, energy assistance and other programs.

[Anonymous]

It is likely common because some Nannies may have immigration issues.

Or perhaps they are receiving Section 8 and/or Medicaid & if they report their income - they may be forced to report their earnings.
I have a classmate who lives in a HUD apartment building who works on-the-books.
Her employers are forced to fill out a biannual form for HUD confirming how much she is paid which she says that her bosses do not like paperwork.

[Anonymous]

It's always been common. It's called Nanny Gate. They do it so they can bring home more money each week and get "charity care" not have to pay for catastrophic medical bills if don't pay taxes

[Anonymous]

Always been common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's always been common. It's called Nanny Gate. They do it so they can bring home more money each week and get "charity care" not have to pay for catastrophic medical bills if don't pay taxes

They do it as they have much less income than you to get the health care, which is very costly and could be a good chunk of their pay check, unlike yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's always been common. It's called Nanny Gate. They do it so they can bring home more money each week and get "charity care" not have to pay for catastrophic medical bills if don't pay taxes

They do it as they have much less income than you to get the health care, which is very costly and could be a good chunk of their pay check, unlike yours.

+1

[Anonymous]

It is less common in this area because nannies are aware that people with security clearances could have serious issues if they hire off the books. If more are asking they may be newer to the area/more financially desperate.

Paying for your nannies health insurance on your plan and making it clear in the advertisement you will do so helps attract candidates looking for fully documented positions.

[Anonymous]

Nannies do it because most employers don’t offer any sort of benefits and if a nanny reports what pay she gets her medical will be cut off and I’m sorry the times we are living in everyone needs medical insurance. If families were to offer benefits you’ll see less of wanting to be paid under the tables. Just an fyi Nannie’s aren’t the only ones being paid under the table, restaurant owners do it as well and many of your franchise establishment owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nannies do it because most employers don’t offer any sort of benefits and if a nanny reports what pay she gets her medical will be cut off and I’m sorry the times we are living in everyone needs medical insurance. If families were to offer benefits you’ll see less of wanting to be paid under the tables. Just an fyi Nannie’s aren’t the only ones being paid under the table, restaurant owners do it as well and many of your franchise establishment owners.

Well said. And no counting the families who are looking great nannies, expecting they do (multi tasks and more than light Housekeeping) and offering a very very low rate. A wonderful Nanny will never take a Job like that. They prefer keep looking and until they find the right fit with a great salary what they really deserve.

[Anonymous]

My former nanny complained she didn't make enough despite getting a 25 dollars an hour, 200 a month for fuel, 40hrs minimum guaranteed and Healthcare. She didn't want to pay taxes. Said she was better of working illegally in New York. Also D.C not "rich enough" for her. I have seen some posts for cash rate and a payroll rate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IS anyone else finding that nanny candidates are increasingly asking to be paid off the books? Why do you think this is so much more common now?

What are you paying?