Anonymous wrote:You don't need to give any bonus at all.

If your nanny starts looking for a new job because she feels you didn't give her enough free money then it was not going to be a long term relationship anyways.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

NP, but I agree with her that not getting a bonus at what it already a challenging job is often the last straw. If you think the job you offer is a good one, and your nanny is generally happy, then a bonus likely isn't going to be the end all. However, if you know you've put her through the wringer this year (changed her hours, didn't give a raise, added new duties without pay, are late ALL THE TIME, added a new baby without a rate increase, furloughed her, etc.) a bonus is a good way to show that you appreciate all the crap she takes for you. I too have left a couple of jobs in January. Not getting a bonus at a job you work your tail off for can really make you feel like shit and like your employers don't give a damn. No nanny is going to tell you that is why she is quitting, but just watch the uptick in people looking for new nannies after the holidays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

NP, but I agree with her that not getting a bonus at what it already a challenging job is often the last straw. If you think the job you offer is a good one, and your nanny is generally happy, then a bonus likely isn't going to be the end all. However, if you know you've put her through the wringer this year (changed her hours, didn't give a raise, added new duties without pay, are late ALL THE TIME, added a new baby without a rate increase, furloughed her, etc.) a bonus is a good way to show that you appreciate all the crap she takes for you. I too have left a couple of jobs in January. Not getting a bonus at a job you work your tail off for can really make you feel like shit and like your employers don't give a damn. No nanny is going to tell you that is why she is quitting, but just watch the uptick in people looking for new nannies after the holidays.

Do you really think that an employer who knows that they did all these things to their nanny is going to give their nanny a good bonus? You're preaching to the choir here.