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I think that a previous suggestion of afternoons M, 10 hours days Tu - Th and mornings F might help, or doing what you must to make this a 4 day job.
If it was 4 days, nanny could get a 1 day/week position, could just enjoy her long weekends, or could plan to schedule her personal appointments on Fridays.
Your rate is fine, IMO, but many nannies count on OT to make ends meet. A 40 hour/week job at $720 will generally lose out to a 50 hour week at $990 (all other things being equal) simply because of CoL issues.
Another thing to consider is what you will do if you set up the job to have your mom there and your mom runs out of energy once baby is self-propelled. Will you then expect nanny to change her situation to cover the extra hours?
You also might consider what additional benefits you could offer to make the job more attractive.
If it was 4 days, nanny could get a 1 day/week position, could just enjoy her long weekends, or could plan to schedule her personal appointments on Fridays.
Your rate is fine, IMO, but many nannies count on OT to make ends meet. A 40 hour/week job at $720 will generally lose out to a 50 hour week at $990 (all other things being equal) simply because of CoL issues.
Another thing to consider is what you will do if you set up the job to have your mom there and your mom runs out of energy once baby is self-propelled. Will you then expect nanny to change her situation to cover the extra hours?
You also might consider what additional benefits you could offer to make the job more attractive.
I am really truly not sure how my last post on 1/21 at around 19:30 is indicating that I think no one should ever help with anything.
"Yes, your Nanny has the right to decline additional duties. And you have the right to fire her for being stupid and shortsighted enough to refuse to help with child's laundry.
You: Nanny, I need you to take the time to spot treat and soak stained clothes.
Nanny: I don't want to do that.
You: (as soon as you have alternate care) Nanny, I am letting you go
a) because you are not fulfilling the terms of our work agreement that states you help with child laundry.
OR
b) because you are unwilling to add minor help with child's laundry to your duties.
Today is your last day.
No one is forcing anyone to retain the services of a Nanny too lazy to assist with laundry or anything else. YOU define the job parameters, and YOU are responsible for hiring someone willing to fulfill those duties."
Sincerely, Puzzled Nanny who has always and forever done kid laundry because it's a part of the job of being a nanny.
P.S. You might all fall over if you knew what my list of duties entails. So I find your collective crazy pretty hysterical.
"Yes, your Nanny has the right to decline additional duties. And you have the right to fire her for being stupid and shortsighted enough to refuse to help with child's laundry.
You: Nanny, I need you to take the time to spot treat and soak stained clothes.
Nanny: I don't want to do that.
You: (as soon as you have alternate care) Nanny, I am letting you go
a) because you are not fulfilling the terms of our work agreement that states you help with child laundry.
OR
b) because you are unwilling to add minor help with child's laundry to your duties.
Today is your last day.
No one is forcing anyone to retain the services of a Nanny too lazy to assist with laundry or anything else. YOU define the job parameters, and YOU are responsible for hiring someone willing to fulfill those duties."
Sincerely, Puzzled Nanny who has always and forever done kid laundry because it's a part of the job of being a nanny.
P.S. You might all fall over if you knew what my list of duties entails. So I find your collective crazy pretty hysterical.
Anonymous wrote:nannydebsays wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:ps: asking her to spray down a stained shirt is not job creep. it's asking her to be considerate of your belongings
Absolutely this. Nannydebsays, you are so wrong and disrespectful of others property that I cannot believe it.
Ok then...Please tell me what I said that has you so riled up, so that I can help you with your comprehension.
You're pretty rude, but here you go.
"your nanny has every right to say no."
So, she can destroy every piece of clothing I have, and I'm in the wrong for asking her to clean up a mess she made?
I think I will start docking the cost of replacement clothes from her pay.
Yes, your Nanny has the right to decline additional duties. And you have the right to fire her for being stupid and shortsighted enough to refuse to help with child's laundry.
You: Nanny, I need you to take the time to spot treat and soak stained clothes.
Nanny: I don't want to do that.
You: (as soon as you have alternate care) Nanny, I am letting you go
a) because you are not fulfilling the terms of our work agreement that states you help with child laundry.
OR
b) because you are unwilling to add minor help with child's laundry to your duties.
Today is your last day.
No one is forcing anyone to retain the services of a Nanny too lazy to assist with laundry or anything else. YOU define the job parameters, and YOU are responsible for hiring someone willing to fulfill those duties.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:ps: asking her to spray down a stained shirt is not job creep. it's asking her to be considerate of your belongings
Absolutely this. Nannydebsays, you are so wrong and disrespectful of others property that I cannot believe it.
Ok then...Please tell me what I said that has you so riled up, so that I can help you with your comprehension.
So do you suggest Lawyers switching firms stop getting paid when they give notice? Or Accountants? Or Executive Assistants? Or Retail Clerks?
Or do you just let out all your crazy on nannies for some deeply rooted reason?
Or do you just let out all your crazy on nannies for some deeply rooted reason?
Wait, what?
I am not sure why I was dragged into this, but here's what I think, since someone seems to think (incorrectly) that they know my opinion on outings for 5-month-olds.
Let the babies go out! Use common sense, keep classes to a minimum if possible, but take that baby to the park, the tourist attractions, playdates, etc.
Outings benefit kids of all ages. Babies brains don't click on when they learn to walk, they learn all the damn time, so let then experience things!
I am not sure why I was dragged into this, but here's what I think, since someone seems to think (incorrectly) that they know my opinion on outings for 5-month-olds.
Let the babies go out! Use common sense, keep classes to a minimum if possible, but take that baby to the park, the tourist attractions, playdates, etc.
Outings benefit kids of all ages. Babies brains don't click on when they learn to walk, they learn all the damn time, so let then experience things!
Is helping with your dc's laundry in your nanny work agreement? If not, then as lazy and entitled as she sounds, your nanny has every right to say no.
If the above is the case, I would guess she might have had a job where "please spray spot remover on clothes evolved into "Wash all the laundry in the house every week." - job creep burns nannies to the poi t that they become unwilling to go outside of their work agreement at all.
OTOH, if she is expected to do laundry, then she's being lazy.
Either way, it's time for a sit down talk to resolve this issue. Either add a little pay and add laundry for DC to nanny's responsibilities, or remind nanny that laundry IS her job and give her a specific time period to shape up or be let go.
If the above is the case, I would guess she might have had a job where "please spray spot remover on clothes evolved into "Wash all the laundry in the house every week." - job creep burns nannies to the poi t that they become unwilling to go outside of their work agreement at all.
OTOH, if she is expected to do laundry, then she's being lazy.
Either way, it's time for a sit down talk to resolve this issue. Either add a little pay and add laundry for DC to nanny's responsibilities, or remind nanny that laundry IS her job and give her a specific time period to shape up or be let go.
PP's, it would seem from the tenure of the nannies totaled up (in years and portions of years) that the 6 nannies have spanned 1 + .75 + 4 + (.5 x 4) = approximately 7.75 years or so, meaning her eldest child is at least...7.75 years old. More likely 8 years old since it's unlikely the parent gave birth and returned to work immediately.
"As for refining our hiring process, you must not have read my original post very carefully. We've had a couple of truly excellent nannies, the best and smartest being a woman who had only completed high school. Here's our past nanny history - feel free to critique:
Nanny 1: 12 months, was wonderful, we moved.
Nanny 2: 9 months, was wonderful, my schedule changed; recommended her to a friend, she continued to sit for us.
Nanny 3(A): 4+ years, was wonderful, she got married and changed careers.
Nanny 4: 6 months; nice enough, turned out to have no common sense and made bad decisions.
Nanny 3(B): nanny 3 returned, stayed about 6 months until her new school classes started (related to her new career)
Nanny 5: 7+ months; absolutely wonderful, my dream nanny; she left when she and her boyfriend moved to a new city. We've visited them. It was a mutual sobfest when she left and we still keep in touch. My dream nanny.
Nanny 6: Current nanny; 6 months so far."
"As for refining our hiring process, you must not have read my original post very carefully. We've had a couple of truly excellent nannies, the best and smartest being a woman who had only completed high school. Here's our past nanny history - feel free to critique:
Nanny 1: 12 months, was wonderful, we moved.
Nanny 2: 9 months, was wonderful, my schedule changed; recommended her to a friend, she continued to sit for us.
Nanny 3(A): 4+ years, was wonderful, she got married and changed careers.
Nanny 4: 6 months; nice enough, turned out to have no common sense and made bad decisions.
Nanny 3(B): nanny 3 returned, stayed about 6 months until her new school classes started (related to her new career)
Nanny 5: 7+ months; absolutely wonderful, my dream nanny; she left when she and her boyfriend moved to a new city. We've visited them. It was a mutual sobfest when she left and we still keep in touch. My dream nanny.
Nanny 6: Current nanny; 6 months so far."
The two PP's have the perfect solution. Great daycare for the morning through afternoon, and a nanny to do pick up from day care and night time.
Unless you and your DH own the retail store(s) and restaurant(s), I think a single nanny is likely financially way out of reach for you. And if you do own the businesses and can afford 75 hours/week of nanny care, you still need 2 nannies to avoid complete nanny burnout and insanely high OT pay.
Unless you and your DH own the retail store(s) and restaurant(s), I think a single nanny is likely financially way out of reach for you. And if you do own the businesses and can afford 75 hours/week of nanny care, you still need 2 nannies to avoid complete nanny burnout and insanely high OT pay.
Anonymous wrote:Husband here of OP. We are not talking about springing anything. When we made arrangements over a month ago, we discussed flexibility. Didn't seem to be a problem.
Now when discussing an actual instance about a month away, we were met with confusion. I guess from reading the initial responses we are way off base but we did think it reasonable that the nanny may be willing to work slightly longer days the following week if needed. Not looking for a one to one of hours exchange just some understanding that life does not work on a perfect, structured schedule.
Oh well, you live and learn.
I believe that asking to "bank" hours from one week and use them in a different week is illegal. My understanding is that any flex hours have to be used in the same pay period. For example, you could ask your nanny to be flexible and work 8 - 1 on Wednesday when her regular schedule is 8 - 3, and then ask her to stay 2 hours LATE on Thursday, working 8 - 5.
If you need more than 35 hours one week, you would need to pay her regular rate for hours 36 - 40, and her OT rate ($30/hour) for all hours over 40 that week. As a nanny with guaranteed hours, that is what I would assume you meant when asking for flexibility.
Anonymous wrote:If I found out our nanny was changing and disposing of her tampons at our house I would probably look for a new nanny. That is gross and she should wait and do that at home. Your nanny has no manners OP.
IDK. I think the possibilities for grossness would be MUCH worse if nanny tried to make a single tampon last 12+ hours.
$600/week, 42.5 hours, so...
600/43.75 = $13.72/hour.
Just wow.
600/43.75 = $13.72/hour.
Just wow.
Another issue with adding a preschooler to a baby nanny share is how the other parents will feel about having an ill 3-year-old tossed into the mix. I think it just has the potential to become an issue.
If you can afford a nanny on your own, I would do that. Then having nanny do preschool pick-up/drop-off would be completely reasonable. And if the 3 yo was sick or off of school, she'd be with nanny at her own home.
If you can afford a nanny on your own, I would do that. Then having nanny do preschool pick-up/drop-off would be completely reasonable. And if the 3 yo was sick or off of school, she'd be with nanny at her own home.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you told her not to come in, how is that her fault? IMO, she has taken one sick day and was instructed to stay home the second time.
That said, smart employers can offer a bit of grace and some flexibility and then see whether those kindness are returned. So if you run late one night, and your Nanny shrugs it off, or if you need her to come in a bit early and she does so, you can feel assured your relationship is one of mutual give and take.
Your friends may choose to hold a hardline attitude, and then wonder why their nannies refuse to be flexible.
I know who I would choose to work for, and it's not your friends.
She has definitely been flexible. I was late twice ( 2 hours once) and she said " Don't worry. You got home safe. That's all that matters". She has also helped out with washing some dishes, folded our laundry, ran errands, and straightened up. That's been almost daily since she started. Not to mention, my baby loves her and she is amazing with my child. She also doesn't mind that DB works from home FT and I work from home PT. Most nannies didn't like that but she hasn't had an issue with it. We get along on a personal level.
Assuming OP actually wrote the response that's highlighted, you (OP) need to forget what your friends would do and be thrilled you have found a nanny who is taking on extra work. I hope she stays healthy and that you give her a well-deserved raise and bonus after she has worked for you for a while!
Anonymous wrote:umm, my nanny is salaried. She gets so much a week no matter whether her bus is late or she is off because we at the doctor or out of town. This salary is based on an hourly wage (19 an hour) and her hours are set 8-4. But If she stays till 5:00 once a month I'm not paying time and a half. If she comes to work at 8:30 because she was stuck in traffic, I'm still paying her the same weekly rate. I don't see how this is illegal. My husband doesn't get overtime.
No, your nanny has guaranteed hours. You pay her for 40 hours a week regardless of whether you have chosen not to use her services.
Legally, nannies are supposed to be paid for every minute worked. There are apps for tracking hours. However, many families and nannies agree to "let it go" because after tracking hours they discover that Nanny was a total of 2.5 hours late over the course of a month, and parents were a total of 2.75 hours late during the same month. The issue comes in when one side or the other starts adding up a lot of "late" time that stops balancing out.
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