ADVICE

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I interviewed for a nanny position caring for 2 kids and got offered the job, 8-5 pm. The job pays a flat $800 but because there would be days where they would let me off way before 5 I wouldn't get paid over time on the days I work longer days (past 5 pm). This is only my second family I would be working for so I truly don't know if this is a good thing or not. Can some moms or even nannies give some advice? Thank You!

[Anonymous]

Not enough money for 45hrs even without overtime.

[Anonymous]

Are you in the DC area? Are you being given a W2/paying taxes?

That’s only about $18 per hour; even without much experience that’s very low.

Did you like the family? What made you interested in this position?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, Will you be making $800/week I am to assume?

It doesn’t seem like a fair deal to me - at least in my state.
In CA where I live, OT must be paid to anyone who works over eight hours in an actual DAY.
I am not sure how this is in other states.

Also, even though the family is saying they will come home before five > you will not know this for sure until you begin working.

If they will come home before five, then why can’t they advertise those days as 8-4??

They seem a little cheap to not want to pay 5hours/wk in OT in my opinion.

Seems like a potential red flag to me……

Signed,
A Nanny

[Anonymous]

How is $18 an hour unfair? What is OP background, age and experience?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I'm a mom / nanny employer. A few questions / comments:

- what age children? If you are responsible for young children all day long, I think $20/hr would be the bare minimum (assuming you don't have credentials / much experience).

Now, if the kids are in school / have activities during the day / are older and independent - maybe $800 / week is fine. Still a little low IMHO.

- In my experience, I much prefer specific hours versus "some days you stay late, some days you get off early." In theory, the latter should work, because us parents really do want to get home to our kids as early as possible! And spend time with our kids! But work obligations really do pile up, and if they know they have you until 5 PM every day, it's going to be easy for them to default to 5 PM or after.

When I see parents offer the line "but you'll usually get off before then!" I roll my eyes, because I don't think it actually works out like that very often.

I also think requiring paid overtime is actually a good function for working parents, because it requires them to prioritize their workday and focus on time management.

I am sorry if I sound like a downer. But I think if you can match your expectations on start and stop times, you (and they) will be happier. Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is $18 an hour unfair? What is OP background, age and experience?

OP here,
My age is 35 and I am a teacher and have worked for Maryland Public School for 9 years plus I am a mom. I did some research and the pay is extremely low because I forgot to mention, laundry and clean up are apart or the job as well. I called some agencies and even with not much nanny experience what I'm being offered is ridiculous and to not get paid over time is illegal.

[Anonymous]

Not getting paid overtime ia illegal I don’t care if they let you off early. From my understanding of what you wrote they’re relieving you early on some days, you’re not asking to leave early therefore you owe them nothing. Do not accept that position, you are not going to be happy.

[Anonymous]

I’m a mom of three and we have a wonderful nanny if we decide to let our nanny go for the day a few hours early why would she owe us!? Also I agree with everyone else not getting paid overtime is insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. I'm a mom / nanny employer. A few questions / comments:

- what age children? If you are responsible for young children all day long, I think $20/hr would be the bare minimum (assuming you don't have credentials / much experience).

Now, if the kids are in school / have activities during the day / are older and independent - maybe $800 / week is fine. Still a little low IMHO.

- In my experience, I much prefer specific hours versus "some days you stay late, some days you get off early." In theory, the latter should work, because us parents really do want to get home to our kids as early as possible! And spend time with our kids! But work obligations really do pile up, and if they know they have you until 5 PM every day, it's going to be easy for them to default to 5 PM or after.

When I see parents offer the line "but you'll usually get off before then!" I roll my eyes, because I don't think it actually works out like that very often.

I also think requiring paid overtime is actually a good function for working parents, because it requires them to prioritize their workday and focus on time management.

I am sorry if I sound like a downer. But I think if you can match your expectations on start and stop times, you (and they) will be happier. Best of luck to you!

+1

[Anonymous]

No matter where in the country you live, $18/HR for two children is not very much.

I think a minimum of $20-22/HR is more reasonable.

[Anonymous]

run, OP, from this job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is $18 an hour unfair? What is OP background, age and experience?

OP here,
My age is 35 and I am a teacher and have worked for Maryland Public School for 9 years plus I am a mom. I did some research and the pay is extremely low because I forgot to mention, laundry and clean up are apart or the job as well. I called some agencies and even with not much nanny experience what I'm being offered is ridiculous and to not get paid over time is illegal.

Simple solution. Decline.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like the same person that took the 14$ an hour job with a 5am start time and complained about it every week until August when she had a new position lined up

[Anonymous]

From my experience this family probably cannot afford what it takes (financially)to hire a nanny but at the same time they want one and will likely do whatever they can to keep their cost low but lowering your pay requirements or refute your attempts to negotiate no matter what you do. At the most, they will likely throw vague promises and empty benefits that you will never actually have. My advice to you is find another position, market your qualities, learn the key red flags to look for and bow out of going further with this family. The more Nannie’s do this, the more likely that such parents will not be able to secure and ultimately destroy someone else’s financial stability (a nanny who deserves correct pay for the work and values he brings). Please do not accept their offer.