When you call my refs..... BEWARE

[Anonymous]

Compensation is more than pay. We verified comp packages and it made a big difference.

For one candidate, the candidate was fine with our offer for two weeks vacation (one of our choosing and one of her choosing). When I was verifying comp packages, the previous employer shared that they had regularly gone on vacation for 4-5 weeks each summer and the nanny would return to her home country. They had been paying a much lower rate. I went back to the candidate (who had previously been fine with only 2 weeks vacation) and clarified that we really meant 2 weeks and due to the nature of our jobs would not be going away for 4-5 weeks. She was very disappointed and asked if we could just get temporary care. While I would be OK with temporary care in the case of an emergency I was not offering a job with 4-5 contiguous weeks off each summer. This was not a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Verifying prior compensation is common in other industries and just as important for nanny positions. The only ones who object to verification of prior compensation are nannies who aren't really worth their request. A professional nanny has a strong compensation history. A professional nanny who is asking for more than her previous compensation can clearly articulate why in terms of gained experience, education, or job requirements.

Since there is so much variation in nanny compensation packages (pay, vacation, PTO, raises, bonuses) its even more important to verify prior compensation to make sure expectations are managed.

My former employers don't agree with your opinion. If they're ask about my compensation package, they tell you it's too complicated to go into over the phone. My hourly rates are only part of the total package.

*If you ask about...

Sometimes there are other perks to the overall package that you couldn't even imagine. For example, both the nanny and the parents happen to be on the identical page about parenting philosophy, like AP or whatever. That may be a huge bonus to them, but not you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my former families cares so much about my happiness, that whenever a potential new employer calls her, she calls me up to tell me what she thought of you. What you asked, what your tone was. If you were at all inappropriate with any particular question. She tells me if you seemed respectful of my work. Bottom line, if you didn't sound worthy of me, you will not be getting me. That's how much I trust this woman.

If I give you some refs, please first be sure I'm interested in working with you, AND we're on common ground with regard to basic details. Please be mindful of their limited time, as you are only one of several potential employers calling them. More likely than not, they're still dashing between home and office, with little precious time to spend with their families.
Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Hopefully for any potential new family's sake, both you and your previous family go live on another planet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you want a sitter and a housekeeper wrapped up in one person, you need to be clear about that in the beginning.

A professional nanny will not waste her time, or yours.

A "professional nanny" will stay with a family for 10 years+ and grow with the family.
Early years are 100% infant, toddler and childcare plus cleaning/picking up after them. Classes with caretakers, making purees, reading, etc.
Pre-school years are more driving to class, activities, cleaning house while they are at class 4-8 hours a day. Doing errands for the family.
School years are more household management. Driving to class, sports, managing the house - cleaning, plants, groceries, food prep, etc.

Of course, you can job hop every 1-2 years because you are searching for the most money with the least effort. Those nannies are easy to spot, and if they have honest references those comments are too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the best question, or answer, you've heard of?

I always ask how much time the nanny spends on her phone or tablet while the children are awake/in the house/with nanny and if she snarks around on DCUM.
Instant deal-breaker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not only did I assume references would call the nanny candidate and talk about me, OP, but frankly, I'd be more concerned about a nanny who *didn't* have a reference who called her back to discuss her impressions of me and my job. That would tell me that the nanny wasn't good enough for her former MBs to have her back.

As for verifying compensation, while it is extremely common in most professional jobs, I don't think it's necessary in the nanny world. When I hired a nanny I researched the market rates in my area and made a competitive offer. I don't think what the candidate made before has any bearing on the present nanny job. There aren't many innovations in the field. A few candidates tried to negotiate for perks and money, but I was clear about what I was looking for. We found a great nanny we value highly.

Let me guess. You are the MB who asked me what my former wnanny as making, I told you $22 an hour, and then you called me BACK to argue with me what the going rate was in Bethesda (you said $14). A family around the corner from me matched our whole comp package, down to the health insurance premiums, for our former nanny, and I happily see her out in the neighborhood all the time.

I do ask about a candidate's salary history, because I don't want you to walk into my house and assume just because it's large that means I should pay you $10 more per hour than your last job where you were making $15 whether you have the experience to justify it or not. If other MBs or nannies think that means I have a boundary problem, I can live with that. I would never hire a candidate without verifying salary history for any job. Conversely, If I hear you have been making $25 an hour, I know I had better not offer you $15. See how that works?

Agree, some nannies we interviewed came out guns blazing with demands, off-market high rates, perks, no household help while infant napped 4-5 hours a day, etc. SHoot themselves in the foot.
They looked very self-absorbed versus the other nannies who truly negotiated (not barked) their package with no attitude problem. We didn't even bother counter-offering with the market rate. Worse, certain "types" of nannies had seemed to collude in asking for the same ridiculous stuff so now we avoid that whole group as well.
In the end we offered a fair package, our nanny has earned annual raises and everyone has been happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the best question, or answer, you've heard of?

I always ask how much time the nanny spends on her phone or tablet while the children are awake/in the house/with nanny and if she snarks around on DCUM.
Instant deal-breaker.

You actually ask her "Do you snark around on DCUM"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not only did I assume references would call the nanny candidate and talk about me, OP, but frankly, I'd be more concerned about a nanny who *didn't* have a reference who called her back to discuss her impressions of me and my job. That would tell me that the nanny wasn't good enough for her former MBs to have her back.

As for verifying compensation, while it is extremely common in most professional jobs, I don't think it's necessary in the nanny world. When I hired a nanny I researched the market rates in my area and made a competitive offer. I don't think what the candidate made before has any bearing on the present nanny job. There aren't many innovations in the field. A few candidates tried to negotiate for perks and money, but I was clear about what I was looking for. We found a great nanny we value highly.

Let me guess. You are the MB who asked me what my former wnanny as making, I told you $22 an hour, and then you called me BACK to argue with me what the going rate was in Bethesda (you said $14). A family around the corner from me matched our whole comp package, down to the health insurance premiums, for our former nanny, and I happily see her out in the neighborhood all the time.

I do ask about a candidate's salary history, because I don't want you to walk into my house and assume just because it's large that means I should pay you $10 more per hour than your last job where you were making $15 whether you have the experience to justify it or not. If other MBs or nannies think that means I have a boundary problem, I can live with that. I would never hire a candidate without verifying salary history for any job. Conversely, If I hear you have been making $25 an hour, I know I had better not offer you $15. See how that works?

Agree, some nannies we interviewed came out guns blazing with demands, off-market high rates, perks, no household help while infant napped 4-5 hours a day, etc. SHoot themselves in the foot.
They looked very self-absorbed versus the other nannies who truly negotiated (not barked) their package with no attitude problem. We didn't even bother counter-offering with the market rate. Worse, certain "types" of nannies had seemed to collude in asking for the same ridiculous stuff so now we avoid that whole group as well.
In the end we offered a fair package, our nanny has earned annual raises and everyone has been happy.

Would LOVE to hear the nanny's side of this tale.

[Anonymous]

She's prob still looking for a job so she should be easy to find!

[Anonymous]

My refs usually text me to say they spoke to someone and wish me luck. If the person calling my refs seems unstable or otherwise off I have had my refs call me once or twice to say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My refs usually text me to say they spoke to someone and wish me luck. If the person calling my refs seems unstable or otherwise off I have had my refs call me once or twice to say so.

Same. Inappropriate questions are a huge red flag, so I appreciate former employers sharing all the details.

[Anonymous]

Beware of what exactly? It's a peer to peer conversation between MBs. OP, you sound like an immature child who says "I have an adult on my side!". You should be able to tell crazies from non-crazies without a third party intervention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beware of what exactly? It's a peer to peer conversation between MBs. OP, you sound like an immature child who says "I have an adult on my side!". You should be able to tell crazies from non-crazies without a third party intervention.

Why can't you tell a good nanny from a bad one without third party intervention?