Job not so great after all...need perspective :-(
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Andrea11
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So...my first nanny job was for two friends who ended up being very unprofessional towards me (not paying on time, paying then needing money back, giving me time off during their vacation then making me work when they came back early, the list goes on).
After that first job I was so grateful to find the family I currently work for, they are both business professionals and very organized. At the interview they said I'd get paid time off, holidays, and sick time. My worry was the hours, they needed me 10-1/2 hrs a day, but I accepted the job because they said some days they would need me less. Sounded great except they apparently never intended to pay overtime for the nearly 14 hours a week that I work over 40. They only pay me my regular rate, and the two holidays that I've been off since starting with them on June I got paid nothing for. I don't know if they thought there should be a six mo waiting period before I get paid days, or they just are trying to get away with it. In addition, they are never home early as they suggested, and in the past month have been at least 20 mins late every night, so I have an almost 11 hour day Monday-Friday. Is it possible they don't think they have to pay overtime because they stated the scheduled hours upfront? They also asked me to work a few hours one Sunday for them. I will never do that again since they did not even pay me time and a half for that, they didn't even round my time to three hours when I was there 2hrs 45 mins. Would you quit? The child is lovely but I'm tired of working such long days for no overtime and no benefits. |
Anonymous
| Why don't you have a contract? I am assuming they are not paying legally. Why are you breaking the law and not paying taxes? If you were being paid legally, then they'd HAVE to pay overtime, though they could simply reduce your hourly rate to cover it. You beef to be paid on the books with a contract. Tell them that you'd like to be paid legally and negotiate a contract. That will resolve it. |
Anonymous
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Uh, obviously what you should do is get yourself in order and schedule a sit-down with your MB and/or DB by next Friday. Tell them that it's come to your attention that your current arrangement is illegal because of the following reasons (at the very least lack of OT pay and neither of you paying taxes) and you either need to agree to a legal contract (have a sample one prepared) or are quitting. It is my opinion that you do not owe them any notice because they are not paying you legally.
Your sample contract should AT MINIMUM explicitly address: legal OT requirements (all hours over 40, per the FLSA) holiday, vacation, and sick day allottments and pay hourly rate and OT rate explicitly stated guaranteed hours extra fees for late returns in the evening, just as they do at daycares (5 min. here and there is fine, 20 min. every night is rude and unacceptable) your duties/responsibilities scheduled hours any house rules they have (e.g. "will limit Billy to no more than 20 minutes of TV per day") and if I were you, I'd ask for taxes to be withheld on my behalf. It is only a few minutes of math to figure out what to withhold on their end, or they can pay you through a payroll company. Truth is, they'll probably let you quit and hire another new nanny who doesn't know what's what, because clearly they are insensitive, inconsiderate, and looking to take advantage of someone. But you'll already have this excellent contract written, and you can take that with you to your next job when you negotiate its terms. |
Anonymous
| There is too much wrong here to fix. Start over. |
Anonymous
| If you're being paid under the table than haha, you deserve to get jipped. Consider the taxes that are NOT being taken out of your check as "overtime". |
Anonymous
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I'm wondering if you're working for the family that I temporarily filled in for while they were looking for a replacement nanny. Sounds like similar issues and I was so over and done with it by the time I left.
You need to develop a contract and clear expectations if you are to stay in this job. Or, give your notice and find something better. |
Andrea11
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| Thanks for all the input. I definitely should have insisted on a contract, it's just hard when you need a job and don't wato lose out. Also I was planning on claiming my income come tax time, and expecting to owe money back. I didn't realize not doing it right away was illegal so now I do. |
Anonymous
On your end that is legal - on their end it is NOT because they are required to pay employer tax (into your SS etc) so when you claim your income next April and list them as your employers, the IRS could come after them. Definitely important to talk with them about that! |
Anonymous
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OP, since you are new to the game I strongly suspect this family is playing you fiddle. They can sense that you are a novice and are taking full advantage. This irks me beyond belief and there is no excuse for them to do this to you!!
Yes, I would quit ON THE SPOT. TODAY. I wouldn't sit down and try to talk it out with them. They have already shown their true colors and I wouldn't want to even be in the same room with a family who would treat another human being in such a manner. Send them a text or email and simply let them know you will not be returning. <--- They do not even deserve the courtesy of a phone call. I wish you the best with your next family. You live and you learn, right?? |
Anonymous
How old are you?? 
Too bad you have a three day weekend to play on Mommy and Daddy's computer?? Is the Boy and Girl's Club closed this weekend? |