Hiring process -- trial day? trial period?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am hiring a nanny for the first time. What is customary in terms of a (paid) trial day or a short trial period? Is a trial day typically included in the interview process? Or is there a short trial period as part of a contract? What is most helpful from the nanny and employer perspectives? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I was hired through WHN, never did a trial with any of the families I work with in the past. Basically what worked for me and employer was that we clicked at first Zoom interview, I asked several questions regarding the position and expectations. Then, we had in-person interview and got to meet the family (lasted 2 hours and got compensated for my time at $30 hourly). Lastly, on my first day as their nanny(I was officially hired and signed contract) we hung out all together and walked me through specifics. Day 2 I was on my own with newborn and a 3 YO (at that time little guy was in pre-school PT 2 days a week. It’s been 3 great years so far.

[Anonymous]

We only did a trial day with two people after interviewing a lot more. We paid it in cash. Then we offered a job and put in the contract that the first three months were a probationary period. No vacation time was accrued during that period.

[Anonymous]

pp, that is SO cheap, no vacation until after 3 months. Would never work for you.

[Anonymous]

One paid trial day

[Anonymous]

If she works, it’s paid at the normal rate. It doesn’t matter if it’s a working interview or a trial day. If it’s just an interview, it doesn’t need to be paid, but the expectation is that it will be an hour or less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she works, it’s paid at the normal rate. It doesn’t matter if it’s a working interview or a trial day. If it’s just an interview, it doesn’t need to be paid, but the expectation is that it will be an hour or less.

+ 1

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pp, that is SO cheap, no vacation until after 3 months. Would never work for you.

Lol, I don't care whether you'd work for me. I already have a great nanny.

[Anonymous]

whoever accepted that cannot be great. 3 months before you can use vacation days is unheard of among career nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:whoever accepted that cannot be great. 3 months before you can use vacation days is unheard of among career nannies.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pp, that is SO cheap, no vacation until after 3 months. Would never work for you.

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

We did phone interview (short), in-person interview (longer). We liked one of the people we in person interviewed and felt like she would be a good fit. We offered her the contract with the first day of work as a shadow day (I took the day off). I did more of the morning and she did more of the PM. It was a time to show routine, show where things were, answer questions. At the end of the day, I asked her if she felt like it was a good fit and that I did think it was a good fit. She was paid cash for that day, but at the same hourly rate. The next day we did all the paperwork and signed up for payroll and all of that.

We also wrote a family handbook so gave that to nanny to try to answer many questions about routine, discipline, lunch, nap ...

Then we did 30 day probationary period where either party could walk away from the arrangement at any time. After that, we ask for two weeks (from either side).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:whoever accepted that cannot be great. 3 months before you can use vacation days is unheard of among career nannies.

I have no problem agreeing to a modified version of PP's system. I accrue days during the three months, but I can't use any vacation during that time. If I'm let go without cause, they pay out the accrued days; if I quit or there is cause, the days are forfeit. After 3 months, I can use them whenever I want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:whoever accepted that cannot be great. 3 months before you can use vacation days is unheard of among career nannies.

I have no problem agreeing to a modified version of PP's system. I accrue days during the three months, but I can't use any vacation during that time. If I'm let go without cause, they pay out the accrued days; if I quit or there is cause, the days are forfeit. After 3 months, I can use them whenever I want.

Even if let go for cause, you should still be paid for the days accrued. I can easily see hiring nannies for three months, let go for cause, and on and on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:whoever accepted that cannot be great. 3 months before you can use vacation days is unheard of among career nannies.

I have no problem agreeing to a modified version of PP's system. I accrue days during the three months, but I can't use any vacation during that time. If I'm let go without cause, they pay out the accrued days; if I quit or there is cause, the days are forfeit. After 3 months, I can use them whenever I want.

Even if let go for cause, you should still be paid for the days accrued. I can easily see hiring nannies for three months, let go for cause, and on and on.

Having a bunch of nannies in a short time is a red flag, and most career nannies wouldn’t accept a position like that.