Reply to Au pair -- indentured servitude or cultural exchange

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
1. Can work no more than 40 hours a week.

Why? I work more than 40 hours/week. 45 hours/week is already fairly restrictive. I would be happy to pay a bit more for using up to 50 hours some weeks, so perhaps that would be a better approach.

2. Program conforms to US labor laws.

It does other than wage laws.

3. Maximum of two children to care for.

Why? Again, I would have no problem w/ a supplementary fee for additional children. Nanny knows what they're getting into, there is no potential for job creep on this front really.

4. Paid prevailing minimum wage of jurisdiction in which the host family lives.

This would defeat the entire purpose of the program and make APs more expensive than nannies because of all the other fees. Remember that APs want the program to continue to exist. I wouldn't have a problem w/ making sure minimum wage is paid including all fees -- i.e., by paying more for hours above 40 or whatever.

5. No housework or yardwork, other than cleaning her room. Straightening children's room but no vaccuming. No cooking, cleaning kitchen for entire family and NEVER laundry for parents.

Housework/yardwork/cooking/cleaning kitchen of the type a family member would perform are perfectly acceptable. So, if I asked my AP to do all of these things once/week while my husband and I do it 3x/week each, that's perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the program. What do you have against vacuuming? It's part of cleaning the kids' rooms.

6. Every hour on the clock, e.g., AP has to pick up child from school at 3:30, on clock for travel time to school.

This should obviously be true and is already a rule.

7. Two full weekends, Friday, 6 pm to Monday, 6 am, free.

This is overly restrictive. Some people use the AP program to take care of weekends only (e.g., shift working doctors). APs should know what they're getting into in advance.

8. All Federal holidays off.

Why? I don't get all Federal holidays off... and it's the hardest time to find alternative childcare.

9. If AP is taken on holiday with family, no taking care of kids. If taking care if kids is expected, then she has a private room.

I actually think this distinction is sort of silly as long as the vacation is optional (i.e., AP has the right to say no). If AP is required to come, then I agree on a private room (i.e., same rules as at home).

10. Holiday meals cooked by host family, no using AP as maid.

What if host family doesn't cook their own holiday meals? I agree AP shouldn't be made to cook everyone's holiday meals... I don't think that's controversial though? This is the sort of micromanaging that belies that you don't have a lot of experience w/ the program or understand why people do it.[/quote]

Nanny here.  I've spoken with several APs, and all have said that they would have preferred to be able to negotiate for the things that mattered most to them while negotiating away the things that mattered least.[/quote]

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