I underestimated my inital pay rate - now what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

Looking at OP's original post, it said nothing about what she has done to earn her raise. She likes the baby and is happy with her job. She did not state what she did to earn quite an increase in salary. IF she had said I want to renegotiate because I have done this, this and this and I have these skills, it would be another matter. OP made her case on what she thinks other nannies in the area make and that she should be making that much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

Looking at OP's original post, it said nothing about what she has done to earn her raise. She likes the baby and is happy with her job. She did not state what she did to earn quite an increase in salary. IF she had said I want to renegotiate because I have done this, this and this and I have these skills, it would be another matter. OP made her case on what she thinks other nannies in the area make and that she should be making that much.

If OP's work is as good as, or better than that of her colleague's, please explain why she SHOULDN'T be compensated accordingly. Don't you WANT a smart nanny? Or is OP too smart for your affordability?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can ask. Standard raise is $1 so if you're asking for $2, do you have any examples or anything as to why you should get even more of a raise instead of just, I feel like I deserve this based on my experience/I underestimated myself? Let's say you've gone above and beyond what other nannies do or your charge has developed many new skills because of you, you can use those examples to show why you think you deserve the 11% increase.

However, you also need to decide if it is a deal breaker for you. If the bump you to $19 will you stay? Or will you start looking for a job that will pay you $20?

I'd see if you can get a letter of reference now for "babysitting gigs" because if you end up having to look, you want to have a reference from this job.

OP here - first, thank you PP for your response. I hadn't thought about getting my employers recommendation now, before I ask for the raise, but that is a great suggestion. And you're right - I also have to think about whether a dollar an hour is a deal breaker for me.

My charge is a baby - just nine-months-old and his parents know how I work with him constantly (nanny cams) but I don't think I can quote his very early ability to sit and wave bye-bye (at five months!) as a "skill" I taught him! I still haven't finished my masters degree in Early Childhood Education so I can't use that... Basically, I'd ask for the 11% increase simply because I undersold myself initially.

I would be disgusted if someone got a reference from me before they socked me with a demand for more money. If another parent then called me and said "hey, we have this reference letter from you. how is so and so" I explain that she was very sneaky and got a reference from me before demanding more money. I would then provide information on her actual job performance; however, I would let the parent know that someone who does something like that is not an honest person IMO. Then, leave it up to them to decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can ask. Standard raise is $1 so if you're asking for $2, do you have any examples or anything as to why you should get even more of a raise instead of just, I feel like I deserve this based on my experience/I underestimated myself? Let's say you've gone above and beyond what other nannies do or your charge has developed many new skills because of you, you can use those examples to show why you think you deserve the 11% increase.

However, you also need to decide if it is a deal breaker for you. If the bump you to $19 will you stay? Or will you start looking for a job that will pay you $20?

I'd see if you can get a letter of reference now for "babysitting gigs" because if you end up having to look, you want to have a reference from this job.

OP here - first, thank you PP for your response. I hadn't thought about getting my employers recommendation now, before I ask for the raise, but that is a great suggestion. And you're right - I also have to think about whether a dollar an hour is a deal breaker for me.

My charge is a baby - just nine-months-old and his parents know how I work with him constantly (nanny cams) but I don't think I can quote his very early ability to sit and wave bye-bye (at five months!) as a "skill" I taught him! I still haven't finished my masters degree in Early Childhood Education so I can't use that... Basically, I'd ask for the 11% increase simply because I undersold myself initially.

I would be disgusted if someone got a reference from me before they socked me with a demand for more money. If another parent then called me and said "hey, we have this reference letter from you. how is so and so" I explain that she was very sneaky and got a reference from me before demanding more money. I would then provide information on her actual job performance; however, I would let the parent know that someone who does something like that is not an honest person IMO. Then, leave it up to them to decide.

Cool story bro. I have a feeling you'd be a bitch either way. If she simply requested a raise, then quit for another job, you'd have the same attitude. "She asked me for more money, then left!" At least if she got the letter first, she'd have your honest opinion on record, and would be able to inform future employers as to the reason you changed your tune; you're a spoiled princess who threw a fit when things did not go as you wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can ask. Standard raise is $1 so if you're asking for $2, do you have any examples or anything as to why you should get even more of a raise instead of just, I feel like I deserve this based on my experience/I underestimated myself? Let's say you've gone above and beyond what other nannies do or your charge has developed many new skills because of you, you can use those examples to show why you think you deserve the 11% increase.

However, you also need to decide if it is a deal breaker for you. If the bump you to $19 will you stay? Or will you start looking for a job that will pay you $20?

I'd see if you can get a letter of reference now for "babysitting gigs" because if you end up having to look, you want to have a reference from this job.

OP here - first, thank you PP for your response. I hadn't thought about getting my employers recommendation now, before I ask for the raise, but that is a great suggestion. And you're right - I also have to think about whether a dollar an hour is a deal breaker for me.

My charge is a baby - just nine-months-old and his parents know how I work with him constantly (nanny cams) but I don't think I can quote his very early ability to sit and wave bye-bye (at five months!) as a "skill" I taught him! I still haven't finished my masters degree in Early Childhood Education so I can't use that... Basically, I'd ask for the 11% increase simply because I undersold myself initially.

I would be disgusted if someone got a reference from me before they socked me with a demand for more money. If another parent then called me and said "hey, we have this reference letter from you. how is so and so" I explain that she was very sneaky and got a reference from me before demanding more money. I would then provide information on her actual job performance; however, I would let the parent know that someone who does something like that is not an honest person IMO. Then, leave it up to them to decide.

Cool story bro. I have a feeling you'd be a bitch either way. If she simply requested a raise, then quit for another job, you'd have the same attitude. "She asked me for more money, then left!" At least if she got the letter first, she'd have your honest opinion on record, and would be able to inform future employers as to the reason you changed your tune; you're a spoiled princess who threw a fit when things did not go as you wanted.

+1. You would tank an employee's new job prospect just because they decided to leave your employ?! Or because they dared to ask for more money? Assuming you gave a positive and honest recommendation prior to the nanny deciding to leave, you would be seen by other employers as a whiny princess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

Looking at OP's original post, it said nothing about what she has done to earn her raise. She likes the baby and is happy with her job. She did not state what she did to earn quite an increase in salary. IF she had said I want to renegotiate because I have done this, this and this and I have these skills, it would be another matter. OP made her case on what she thinks other nannies in the area make and that she should be making that much.

If OP's work is as good as, or better than that of her colleague's, please explain why she SHOULDN'T be compensated accordingly. Don't you WANT a smart nanny? Or is OP too smart for your affordability?

If she really is a great nanny and proven herself to her employers, that is what a raise should be based on, not on what she thinks other nannies make. Will she get a raise, probably. As much as she thinks she should get, probably not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

Looking at OP's original post, it said nothing about what she has done to earn her raise. She likes the baby and is happy with her job. She did not state what she did to earn quite an increase in salary. IF she had said I want to renegotiate because I have done this, this and this and I have these skills, it would be another matter. OP made her case on what she thinks other nannies in the area make and that she should be making that much.

If OP's work is as good as, or better than that of her colleague's, please explain why she SHOULDN'T be compensated accordingly. Don't you WANT a smart nanny? Or is OP too smart for your affordability?

If she really is a great nanny and proven herself to her employers, that is what a raise should be based on, not on what she thinks other nannies make. Will she get a raise, probably. As much as she thinks she should get, probably not.

Raises and salary are always based on the market. It does in fact matter what other similar nannies are making. You can argue this fact until you're blue in the face, but it doesn't change fact.

[Anonymous]

OP, why didn't you go through an agency (which quoted you rates of $20-$25) instead of using Care.com (range $15-20)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another whiny nanny who thinks she is worth more than she really is and wants to screw her employer because her friend makes more than she does.

I don't believe you have any idea what she's worth. If you continue with these troll posts, we will have to start reporting you.
Please stop. Thank you.

Not a troll, but it gets tiresome hearing from these nannies who agreed to a rate and then all of a sudden realize they should be getting so much more an hour.

Do you also tire of parents who agree to a job, then desire to change the schedule, duties, or compensation? Or do you believe a nanny's purpose is to serve parents without regard to her own needs? OP is coming up on her one year mark. Is that not an appropriate time to reasses and renegotiate?

A lot of this happens because things aren't clearly spelled out up front in the contract. My boss tried to get me to work on a couple of days I wasn't supposed to and I was able to go back to our contract and let her know I wouldn't be working. No issues. Some parents will try to add things, but you have to stand your ground upfront. But yes, I do believe a nanny's role is to serve the family, but not be a doorstep. And when I say serve, I mean be a help to the family, not bring her drama to her job, think she knows better than a parent what is best for the child, our job is to make their life easier and to work with and for them, not against them.
Sure OP can try to renegotiate her contract and that is fine, but she shouldn't be doing it because she thinks that is what the other nannies are getting, but because she has gone above and beyond the call of duty and not just do the bare minimum, like so many other people do.

You have no experience in a traditional job setting obviously. Of course salary negotiations are based on what other people are making. If OP does a good job, she should be making what most other similarly qualified nannies are making. The same goes for moderately qualified nannies that think they should make above market hourly rates because they are hard working, nice people. The market determines rates, and if OP is being paid under market, that is a completely legitimate reason to request a raise, just as it is a perfectly good reason to refuse a raise request from a nanny being paid at or above market.

As for the rest of your post, not sure why parents get a pass for constantly trying to change an agreement, but OP gets crap from you for asking for advice on a raise request at a perfectly normal time to do so. Methinks you're a buttkiss who likes to feel superior by ragging on other nannies, and giving parents a pass for anything.

Yes, I do have experience in different job settings and negotiate when it is time for a raise. While I believe some parents try to take advantage of nannies, trust me, I have worked for them, nannies also try to take advantage of parents. And I didn't say parents get a pass, but you have to stand up for yourself and get this stuff straightened out before it become an issue. Negotiations do not only include salary.

Do you even remember what we are talking about? OP is trying to negotiate a raise at her one year mark. You called her a whiny nanny, and said she wanted to screw her employer. You clearly have a bone to pick on some unrelated issue and it colors your whole perception. No one was trying to screw anyone. OP wants a raise based on her merit, tenure, and what she has found to be the market for her skills and background.

Looking at OP's original post, it said nothing about what she has done to earn her raise. She likes the baby and is happy with her job. She did not state what she did to earn quite an increase in salary. IF she had said I want to renegotiate because I have done this, this and this and I have these skills, it would be another matter. OP made her case on what she thinks other nannies in the area make and that she should be making that much.

If OP's work is as good as, or better than that of her colleague's, please explain why she SHOULDN'T be compensated accordingly. Don't you WANT a smart nanny? Or is OP too smart for your affordability?

If she really is a great nanny and proven herself to her employers, that is what a raise should be based on, not on what she thinks other nannies make. Will she get a raise, probably. As much as she thinks she should get, probably not.

Raises and salary are always based on the market. It does in fact matter what other similar nannies are making. You can argue this fact until you're blue in the face, but it doesn't change fact.

No, they are not. Her salary is going to be based on what her employers want to pay her. If she doesn't like it, then she is free to move on.

[Anonymous]

I have lived in West LA for over 20 years and have employed nannies the whole time. I recently conducted a nanny search for a relative. I have a few thoughts about OP's situation. The whole area is expensive to live in, whether renting or buying. The facts that the family rents an apartment and did their search on care.com in the $15-$20 range would indicate to me that they are not "wealthy" by West LA standards. Since the baby is 9 months and you have been with them most of that time, they are young, first-time parents and you are likely the first employee they have had in their home. Just because they are "educated" doesn't mean they know everything about the nanny market or what they should do as employers. Their embarrassment when handing you the check could be because they still feel strange about paying someone to watch their child.

At the one year anniversary, you should ask for the raise you want. However, they may not be willing/able to pay it since an 11% increase is not standard and their cash flow may not be able to accommodate it. Most families do not need to have someone with a bachelor's degree in ECE (let alone a masters) but will be delighted if you have it in addition to the requisite nannying experience within their pay range. Any bachelors will do if you have nannying experience, excellent references, and a pleasant personality.

I suggest you try the agencies next time and hold out until you find a position that pays $20+/hr with a nice family that treats you well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LA nanny again- That being said $18/hr with a NICE family who treats you with respect is worth more than finding a new job that pays more with awful employers. It's really really really (really!!!) hard to find nice normal respectful families in this town and working for celebrities is the worst. If you're happy, stay and keep the $18/hr if they won't do a raise. It took me 10 years in this town to find a family who treated me with respect!!

+1000. I've found also this to be VERY true in LA, unfortunately. What else does your current compensation include (vacation/sick days, holidays, etc)? Are the parents considerate of your time and other obligations/health? What is your daily commute like? All these things will impact your job satisfaction.

[Anonymous]

When I was a FTM, I had never hired any domestic employee, let alone a nanny. There's definitely a learning curve in being a good employer. Our first nanny, through an LA agency, accepted our offer and things went well until about 9 months passed. She had heard from her fellow nannies that she should be paid more. So she asked us and, unfortunately, we could not afford a raise since we had cash flow issues due to medical bills from a complicated pregnancy, student loan payments, along with new expenses associated with having children. We lived in West LA in a small, old 2 bedroom apartment and still had at least an hour commute each way. We tried to make her work life as pleasant as possible otherwise. However, our nanny's attitude changed overnight and would show her displeasure in small ways with us and the children. We let her go a month later due to the tension and it took her over a year to find another full-time job, according to the agency. We've tried to be extra clear regarding pay, benefits and projected increases with all our subsequent nannies and never had an issue since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, why didn't you go through an agency (which quoted you rates of $20-$25) instead of using Care.com (range $15-20)?

I went to care.com first and got this job - it's within two blocks of my apartment and I wanted a newborn. Then, after I accepted the job but before I started, I registered with three agencies for weekend tutoring jobs. All three quoted that my nanny rate should be between 20 and 25 and one said 20 and 30.