nannydebsays wrote:"Hi bosses. I noticed this week that you've installed a drop cam. Is there an issue with my job performance that we need to discuss, or is there something else I need to be aware of that is the reason behind your use of a camera when you are working?"

+100000

Talk to them! I'm hoping for all of you that there is something else going on and your mind will be at ease after MB explains it, but if not, you'll know to keep your eyes peeled for other opportunities. Sorry OP, it is a crappy feeling - but you won't know if it's about you if you don't ask!

Not to speak for the OP, but in response to the PP - it's not about the camera, it's about the non-disclosure. Why not just say to a trusted long-term employee, "Hey, we installed a drop cam this weekend because XYZ." If there's a job performance issue, employers need to SAY SOMETHING. If there's an "I miss seeing my kids" issue, just say so.

It's just like what employers should do with new nannies. In the interview process, disclose that you may use a cam at some point. Don't say when, don't say where, just basically establish that use of a cam is a possibility. if someone is anti-cam, they'll remove themselves from consideration. if someone is willing to be cammed, if a little embarrassed by the possibility, they'll make a decision based on the employers attitudes.

OP here- It's an issue because I have been with this family many years, I have raised all their kids with them from birth. After all these years they don't trust me or have enough respect for me as a human being to tell me I'm being recorded? I live in one of the states where it's illegal to audio record me without my consent, so my rights are also being violated.

Actually your rights are not being violated. Even in states where audio can not be recorded this doesn't extend to prohibiting individual employers from operating home security systems on their own property. If they posted the audio recording on the Internet or published it then they could get in trouble but in the context of home surveillance inside the property this is legal.

How exactly do you know that they never had a camera before this one? Do you regularly search for cameras?

There are many reasons why they may have a cam. Frankly, your over the top reaction gives one the impression that you are exactly the type of nanny who needs some level of supervision or observation. If you have this big an attitude about a nanny cam then you really need to find a new profession.

OP here- It's an issue because I have been with this family many years, I have raised all their kids with them from birth. After all these years they don't trust me or have enough respect for me as a human being to tell me I'm being recorded? I live in one of the states where it's illegal to audio record me without my consent, so my rights are also being violated.

I don't understand why this is an issue. If you're not doing anything wrong, and it's not illegal for them to use the camera, what's the problem?

julesrose26@hotmail.com wrote:This is all due to the nanny in New York that drowned her two charges in the bathtub a few weeks back. The nanny had worked for the family for two years. This story has gotten a lot of attention in the press and I have seen several "experts" suggest nanny cams. Parents are upset and this is a knee jerk reaction.

You mean the nanny who stabbed the two kids and then stabbed herself when the mom walked in?

This is all due to the nanny in New York that drowned her two charges in the bathtub a few weeks back. The nanny had worked for the family for two years. This story has gotten a lot of attention in the press and I have seen several "experts" suggest nanny cams. Parents are upset and this is a knee jerk reaction.

"Hi bosses. I noticed this week that you've installed a drop cam. Is there an issue with my job performance that we need to discuss, or is there something else I need to be aware of that is the reason behind your use of a camera when you are working?"

Why didn't you ask them about the camera?

Are you sure the nanny cam isn't for other reasons? To record another employee (i.e. contractor or occasional babysitter)? To let MB and DB see what the little ones are up to during the day (since they're not home that often)?

I'm really confused as to what they think they will see! I've honestly never done anything to warrant a nanny am. The kids are super well behaved and I barely have to discipline them, our days are really easy. I'm just really hurt!

I would look for another job ASAP. Setting up the cam after 6 years is strange. I wouldn't listen mb pp who says that your pay is your thanks.

In my state it's actually illegal for them to record audio of me, so that's nice. Whatever, she can sit at work 14 hrs a day and see me reading to her kids and taking care of them. Hope it's was worth the $300 to feel like she's missing out.

No, the thanks you get is the pay you received.

Why do you think the next family won't have a hidden camera you won't find 4 years later?

If you were truely that dedicated, you should not have any problems and the family will learn to value even more from looking at the camera. As mb I can tell you reviewing camera footage is time consuming and we are not twiddling our thumbs staring at the camera from work. We pay money for each minute we are away from out kids and we would rather be done soonerto go home or take an extra minute to write out a meal plan or something, not stare at some grainy footage of our nanny playing with our kids.

After 6 years with the same family, I just discovered a nanny cam (drop cam) which was not there last week let alone the past 6 years. I've helped raise their 3 kids from birth and this is the thanks I get? Watching me on their iPads all day? It's disgusting.

I hope MB enjoys her surveillance and sees everything we do in the 14+ hours she is away from home. I am really insulted but whatever, it's going to be a waste of money because I've never done ANYTHING to deserve hidden cameras. I don't even put the kids in time out and I've never raised my voice. They behave because I get down on their level and we reason through issues.

After the holidays I am seriously considering looking for a new job. My last job was 5 years and there were cameras but I always knew about the cameras. I am hurt and actually a little disgusted.

Good luck replacing me, MB & DB. I was the most dedicated nanny you will ever have, I never ever did anything to hurt the kids and just can't believe they are monitoring me.