It's an agreement, not a contract. We should be clear.

I think you should ask to set up a contract. Approach it professionally, reference what they said when hiring you, acknowledge that it's uncomfortable to initiate these kinds of conversations but you're enjoying the job, hope it will be a long-term fit, etc... (assuming that's true) and you think it might be easier if you could write up a contract that addresses compensation, guaranteed hours, holidays, other benefits, regular reviews/raises/maybe bonuses, etc...

It's a very slippery slope when you begin to feel underpaid and under appreciated for your work. I see your only viable option as speaking up and saying something (politely and rationally of course) to MB and DB. If things don't work out in your favor, start job searching. If you truly feel underpaid then you will begin to resent the family you work for and begin nitpicking and over analyzing every situation and conversation. People who feel adequately compensated (financially and verbally with support and encouragement) are happier and generally work better.

Getting a raise every three months is unusual. Are you sure they weren't offering a raise after the initial three months, like a probationary period?

If I were you, I'd start the conversation at guaranteed hours.

Also, how do you have 10 years of nanny experience if you're only 26?

Work on getting your hours guaranteed, and let the raises go except for the new baby raise. If you're being paid below market, you should be able to find a better paying job if that is what you want.

No contract, after 3 months I got an extra dollar per hour. My pay is slightly below market. When they take vacations or time off and don't need my services, I don't get paid for those days. Basically the hours I'm there working are the hours I get paid. Usually 40 hrs a week, sometimes more and sometimes less, depending week to week.

Well, first of all, getting a raise every 3 months is highly unusual. What kind of raise did you get at 3 months? Are you being paid below market? At fair pay, a raise every 3 months will price you out of your job very quickly.

Personally, I would probably place guaranteed hours above the raise. You should be getting the same pay for the same number of hours a week for 52 weeks a year, regardless of if they schedule a vacation.

Do you have a contract OP? If you don't, perhaps they realized its not normal to offer a raise every 3 months. You can ask for a raise for the new baby, but a yearly raise is what you could realistically expect, not quarterly.

Anonymous wrote:That seems rather harsh.... Surely there is a happy medium? What would yall do?

We would talk to our employers. Obviously.

That seems rather harsh.... Surely there is a happy medium? What would yall do?

Well in that case, OP, don't talk to them. Just suck it up and do as you're told.

Is that what you'd prefer we suggest? How many choices do you have, exactly?

Talk to them to try and get things to improve.
Don't talk to them and keep working there.
Don't talk to them and quit.

Take your pick.

I'm in san Antonio, tx. I should also add that I do not get any paid vacation time or sick/personal days. I have never called out or been more than a couple minutes late. Also, that when they are out of town or have vacation I'm unpaid for these days. I'm not aggressive and dislike conflict and I don't want to compromise my relationship with the family.

Jesus.

You go to your MB or DB and say, "I've been with you for 8 months now and couldn't be happier with the job, but I remember that when you hired me that we agreed on a schedule for raises and bonuses. I haven't received a raise since September so I wanted to touch base with you about that, especially as there is a new baby my workload has increased substantially."

Then see how they respond.

WTF is wrong with everyone here, just TALK to them for crying out loud.

What city?

I have been currently working with a family for 8 months, I love the babies and I get along very well with the parents. This is my first full time nanny job, however I have over ten years experience with babies and kids of all ages from two weeks old to 12 years old. When I first interviewed with them they said every 3months to receive a raise and a bonus every six months. So far, I have only gotten one raise and this was at the 3month mark. But now, I haven't received a raise since September and they recently had a second baby (about a month ago). My bonus was a very nice Xmas gift from them. But I haven't gotten any other raises since the first initial one, even with the addition of a second baby. I am a very responsible 26 year old, great references, great experience, have a college degree, and I am first aid and cpr certified for babies and children. For my duties in addition to taking care of the babies include laundry, dish washing, hosting and going to play dates, light cleaning, etc. My current wage is 11 dollars an hr. They started me at 10 dollars an hr. I feel like I am doing a wonderful job and I am very active, friendly, caring, and loving with both babies. I recieve excellent praise from both parents and both comment on how great I am and how I am a second mommy to both kids and treat them as if they were my own. I feel underpaid, what do yall think and what should i do??