Anonymous wrote:
The hours I require during the school year are 12:30PM-5:30PM (probably off closer to 5:15, but this time block just in case). From 12:30PM to 3PM I need someone to do basic grocery shopping, laundry, straighten the house, run errands as needed, basic meal prep (like chop onions, start rice, peel potatoes type stuff). Around 3, get the kids from school, make the a snack, let them play (prevent them from killing each other), supervise their chores, get them started on homework, and possibly drive them to a practice or activity. Kids are 7 & 11.
Summer hours would be a flat 40 guaranteed, but in reality my kids are in half day camps every other week or so. Same house duties as above. Sometimes the day would be 7-3, sometimes 9-5. As far as going to the grocery store and other short errands, kids are old enough to be left at home. Again, the nanny is needed for supervision, these are not toddler children.
2 weeks vacation of your choice, all federal holidays off, and paid when the family takes vacation (this year we are taking a 3.5 week vacation in the summer, on week at Christmas, and 1 week at spring break and would not require nanny to take her vacation at the same time-the 3.5 weeks is NOT normal, normally it s 1 week in summer and a total of 3-4 weeks vacation for our family).
I'd like to do a flat rate of $500/wk, 52 weeks a year.
That would basically mean an average of $20/hr during the school year and $12.50 during the summer. Any potential OT (highly unlikely with the camp schedule, most likely nanny would be sub 40hrs) during the summer would be paid at the $12.50 time and a half rate, exceeding the flat $500 weekly rate.
Based on my calculations, this job would average out to 28.7hrs a week over 52 weeks and $17.74/hr at that flat rate and a potential for 4 weeks off paid a year, plus fed holidays.
OP, I am wondering how illness and teacher workdays and holidays from school will be handled? Will you pay extra for those days, or just assume they are covered by the "high" rate during the school year? Also, have you confirmed with your county/state that your children are old enough for the housekeeper to leave them home alone? Personally, I would want proof of that as well as a signed statement from you stating you had ordered me to follow your wishes and leave your kids home.
I would prepare a bit for interviews by printing out comparison charts, so you can give candidates their choice of a dependable weekly rate, or a fluctuating weekly rate between school weeks and non-school weeks. Choose an hourly rate that will NOT fluctuate for nthe second choice, do your calculations, and make up simple charts.
I would also offer guaranteed hours considering this will be a fairly low paying job. You will be likely to lose candidates when they hear they will not be paid when YOU choose to leave town or not use their services.
Obviously, you need to figure out your max budget for this - if you can pay no more than 26K, and don't plan to pay taxes, that's one thing, and you might be better off sticking with an AP. If you can afford to pay more, figure out how much more, and do your math
In my state, for a typical school year of 44 weeks, with about 8 weeks off during the school year (including break weeks, teacher work days, and the rare sick day), I would be paying for 36 20 hour weeks, and 16 40 hour weeks. Let's pretend my max budget is 26K and I an avoiding paying taxes. 720 hours plus 640 hours is 1360 total. 26000/1360 = $19.12/hour.
So the options you offer the candidates are:
$500/week - Steady dependable pay 52 weeks per year based on being available to work 1360 hours/year, or an "average" of 26 hours/week. Some weeks 20 hours, some weeks more, up to 40 hours depending on illness and school being closed/holidays. Total pay is $26,000/year
$19/hour, calculated weekly. "Typical" weekly hours guaranteed, additional pay when hours exceed the typical amount. Most weeks $380/gross. Approximately 16 weeks in the summer and through the school year, $760/gross. Best guess on yearly wages, (36 x 380) + (16 x 760) = $13,680 + $12,160 = $25,840