Moving—Nanny next steps

[Anonymous]

Our nanny has been with us for 12 years and helped us with 4 kids. She is like family. She was full time for many years and then went part time over the last few years as our children got older (now only 15 hours/week). She was working with another family for 25 hours/week at one point but that job ended 6 months ago and she has not found another position. I think this is mainly because she is very picky and has also been considering non childcare jobs/career pivot. Because she has not found another job, I have kept her on with us, even though we don’t really need her help anymore (my job situation became much more flexible this summer).

We are moving out of state in 5 months and let our nanny know as soon as we found out. Given her current difficulty with finding work she likes, I’m worried she won’t have anything lined up by then. What happens then? Are we responsible for anything more than a parting gift? Does she file for unemployment?

[Anonymous]

Did you pay her above board - ie pay unemployment taxes? If so, she might file for unemployment but you wouldn’t foot the bill - it would come out of the taxes you already paid.

(I believe your unemployment tax rate will go up if she files - of course, this only matters if you hire a new nanny in the future and pay her above board)

Just to be safe, I’d document her last day, reason for termination, etc.

This may sound inappropriate and if so please disregard but… your nanny sounds like she is taking advantage of you. You are not responsible for her future. You have no lasting obligation to her. I think you are understandably grateful to her and feel a connection with her, but you’ve held up your end of the bargain - gainful employment and a salary. It’s her responsibility to decide on her next step.

[Anonymous]

As long as she's fully paid on the books, she'll get unemployment.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a very caring + considerate employer OP.

Kudos to you for all that you have done in making sure that your Nanny is okay for the future.

However if she is being picky in her job search - then that is entirely on her.

You really do not owe her anything more than giving her a proper notice which it looks like you have.

A parting gift would be lovely considering that she has been w/your family this long.

But it is entirely up to her to seek a new position.

[Anonymous]

You gave her five months notice. You're not legally responsible at all. It's a layoff.

[Anonymous]

She is probably happy to finally be free))))