Anonymous
10/24/2013 10:54
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:I'm 8:45 (the long winded one) and I want to be clear that I'm not taking a stand either way. I personally think there are a lot of differences between any industry. So I think we should all be careful about thinking that some other career path has it so good. Anyone that says that office jobs as a rule get health insurance, schedule flexibility, hour long lunch breaks, and that their bosses always follow the laws and their job descriptions is just flat wrong - that's all I was saying. Grass is always greener, I suppose.
I think that is exactly OP and PPs points. Its very hard to compare the two, so the "well at my job blah blah blah" argument doesn't hold water. It isn't the same. There are things that nannies do that you could never do in an office job (yoga pants, or pj pants to work?) and there are things that are expected in an office job that simply do not translate. Busting your hump stepping outside your job duties is not going to get a nanny much if anything at all, so parents should let go of that idea and appreciate your nanny doing the job she agreed to do. Doing your job, and just your job doesn't make her a bad nanny. Expecting you to abide by her hours, does not make her inflexible, and you should be GRATEFUL when she agrees to stay late or come early (because you asked, not just showed up late) not butt hurt when she says no.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 10:39
Subject: You can't have it both ways
I'm 8:45 (the long winded one) and I want to be clear that I'm not taking a stand either way. I personally think there are a lot of differences between any industry. So I think we should all be careful about thinking that some other career path has it so good. Anyone that says that office jobs as a rule get health insurance, schedule flexibility, hour long lunch breaks, and that their bosses always follow the laws and their job descriptions is just flat wrong - that's all I was saying. Grass is always greener, I suppose.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 10:12
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:Aside from benefits and legal protection, office jobs and nanny jobs are vastly difference in that there is little to no room for advancement. When you are going above and beyond at the office, it is likely (as two posters inadvertently pointed out) for a promotion or an appointment to a desired or high-profile assignment. Going above and beyond for nannies yields few of these perks, and aside from yearly raises (which most office workers receive as well) there is no advancement. Yes, the duties of the job change over time but the position does not. It is not as if I can add a title to my resume just because I have been with a family for four years. All of this boils down to the fact that there is little incentive for nannies to provide the flexibility many adults provide in their work environments because, aside from extra money (not even all of the time) there is no reward.
+1 I'm willing to do my job and do it well, with the occasional "just to help out" extra stuff, but lets be real. There is no promotion coming my way, I'm lucky to get a $1/hour extra next year, and when I leave your job I will probably take a pay cut because my new boss won't start me where you left off. The reasons PPs listed for going above and beyond and offering flexibility just do not translate to the nanny world. You *may* get a holiday bonus, you *may* get a raise, but that's it and really depend on the financial situation of your boss, their generosity and appreciation, and whether or not they are aware enough to think past their own noses. Every boss I've had has literally raved about me as a reference. I've never gotten a bonus, my bosses can never "afford" a raise, and are too self involved to think of me when it comes to bonuses or gifts. Over the years I've come to accept this treatment, and I've stopped trying to be supernanny just to get diddly squat in the end.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:38
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Aside from benefits and legal protection, office jobs and nanny jobs are vastly difference in that there is little to no room for advancement. When you are going above and beyond at the office, it is likely (as two posters inadvertently pointed out) for a promotion or an appointment to a desired or high-profile assignment. Going above and beyond for nannies yields few of these perks, and aside from yearly raises (which most office workers receive as well) there is no advancement. Yes, the duties of the job change over time but the position does not. It is not as if I can add a title to my resume just because I have been with a family for four years. All of this boils down to the fact that there is little incentive for nannies to provide the flexibility many adults provide in their work environments because, aside from extra money (not even all of the time) there is no reward.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:36
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It is incredibly frustrating. I'm supposed to be professional and follow our agreement to the letter, that is, until it doesn't suit you. Somehow its okay for MBs to get home late whenever they please, and if we say something "they're paying for 'flexibility'". Its okay for them to expect things of me outside of our agreement, but if I refuse I'm "not going above and beyond". What's wrong with going above and beyond within the confines of my actual job? I don't want to do your laundry/make your dinner/buy your groceries. I take care of CHILDREN, and if you'd let me do it, I do a great job.
I'm an MB and no, it's NOT ok for an MB to get home late whenever they please. It's NOT ok to expect flexibility if you haven't discussed it. It's NOT ok for them to expect things outside of your agreement. And there are many MBs who would never do this kind of stuff - so please stop talking in generalizations. Are there bad MBs? Yes, definitely. But as long as we're comparing, it's not so different in the office job world either. Do you really think in the office job world all bosses expect only exactly what's in the agreement? Are totally fine with you coming at your start time and leaving at your stop time no matter what crisis has emerged? Are completely fine with you taking leave whenever you want? Would hear someone say "I'm not doing that - that's not in my job description" and still think that person was a good performer?
I've had bosses that want you to stay for 10 hours into the evening even though you are only paid for 8 - in many industries, it is completely commonly accepted that you will stay late every single day or you will absolutely get passed over for assignments and promotions. I've had jobs where I've been asked to do way more than my position description would allow. You know what though? You can choose to just do exactly what you're paid for and not stretch or you can choose to find ways to add value in the hopes that you're noticed. In any job, you will probably be a fine employee right where you are. In some jobs, that would be seen as doing the bare minimum and everyone will think you're lazy.
Typically in the office world, the people that stretch and show themselves to be willing to go a little extra are the ones who get the promotions and the better assignments and more money and are more in demand. I can't think it's all that different in the nanny world - but again, it's like any other job. There are going to be crappy bosses who you can work your butt off for and they still give you nothing in return. So you know what, you gain your experience, you don't burn the bridge, and you LEAVE.
How is the nanny world really all that different? You start a job, you work as hard as you can, and if your bosses are people that value you, they will respond by raising your hourly rate, being flexible with you, whatever else it is you want. Because they'll know you're an employee who is trying their hardest and truly making their lives easier (just like it's my goal to make my boss' life easier at my work). They will continue to accommodate you and work as a partnership if they want to keep you on. If you're trying your hardest and you get nothing, then leave. Find a boss that values you. Just like in the office world.
Amen!
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:24
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:If it's like any office job, then you better be willing to treat it as such as an MB too. Offer health benefits and all the benefits you get at your job. Let her take an hour off for lunch. And make sure you follow any laws that your job would have to follow.
Not all office jobs have health benefits or the same laws to follow. I don't know how lunch break works elsewhere, but I'm a Federal employee and per regulation, we get a half hour, just FYI. Not that nannies even get a half hour completely "off," but don't assume we all have great health insurance and tons of breaks either. We can't demand to leave right at our stop time either.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:22
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:Office jobs and nanny jobs are apples and oranges, 08:45, and you cannot compare them.
lol Ok, then it goes both ways. I personally feel like both MBs and nannies have posted that they want the job to be treated in a professional manner when it suits them. I guess everyone just needs to decide which way they want it.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:16
Subject: You can't have it both ways
If it's like any office job, then you better be willing to treat it as such as an MB too. Offer health benefits and all the benefits you get at your job. Let her take an hour off for lunch. And make sure you follow any laws that your job would have to follow.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 09:12
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Office jobs and nanny jobs are apples and oranges, 08:45, and you cannot compare them.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 08:45
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:It is incredibly frustrating. I'm supposed to be professional and follow our agreement to the letter, that is, until it doesn't suit you. Somehow its okay for MBs to get home late whenever they please, and if we say something "they're paying for 'flexibility'". Its okay for them to expect things of me outside of our agreement, but if I refuse I'm "not going above and beyond". What's wrong with going above and beyond within the confines of my actual job? I don't want to do your laundry/make your dinner/buy your groceries. I take care of CHILDREN, and if you'd let me do it, I do a great job.
I'm an MB and no, it's NOT ok for an MB to get home late whenever they please. It's NOT ok to expect flexibility if you haven't discussed it. It's NOT ok for them to expect things outside of your agreement. And there are many MBs who would never do this kind of stuff - so please stop talking in generalizations. Are there bad MBs? Yes, definitely. But as long as we're comparing, it's not so different in the office job world either. Do you really think in the office job world all bosses expect only exactly what's in the agreement? Are totally fine with you coming at your start time and leaving at your stop time no matter what crisis has emerged? Are completely fine with you taking leave whenever you want? Would hear someone say "I'm not doing that - that's not in my job description" and still think that person was a good performer?
I've had bosses that want you to stay for 10 hours into the evening even though you are only paid for 8 - in many industries, it is completely commonly accepted that you will stay late every single day or you will absolutely get passed over for assignments and promotions. I've had jobs where I've been asked to do way more than my position description would allow. You know what though? You can choose to just do exactly what you're paid for and not stretch or you can choose to find ways to add value in the hopes that you're noticed. In any job, you will probably be a fine employee right where you are. In some jobs, that would be seen as doing the bare minimum and everyone will think you're lazy.
Typically in the office world, the people that stretch and show themselves to be willing to go a little extra are the ones who get the promotions and the better assignments and more money and are more in demand. I can't think it's all that different in the nanny world - but again, it's like any other job. There are going to be crappy bosses who you can work your butt off for and they still give you nothing in return. So you know what, you gain your experience, you don't burn the bridge, and you LEAVE.
How is the nanny world really all that different? You start a job, you work as hard as you can, and if your bosses are people that value you, they will respond by raising your hourly rate, being flexible with you, whatever else it is you want. Because they'll know you're an employee who is trying their hardest and truly making their lives easier (just like it's my goal to make my boss' life easier at my work). They will continue to accommodate you and work as a partnership if they want to keep you on. If you're trying your hardest and you get nothing, then leave. Find a boss that values you. Just like in the office world.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 07:27
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Unless they're paying you 100 dollars an hour, they are NOT paying you for "flexibility". Enough with that stupid crap. When your work day is done, you have OTHER commitments. Stand up for yourself.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 07:07
Subject: You can't have it both ways
It is incredibly frustrating. I'm supposed to be professional and follow our agreement to the letter, that is, until it doesn't suit you. Somehow its okay for MBs to get home late whenever they please, and if we say something "they're paying for 'flexibility'". Its okay for them to expect things of me outside of our agreement, but if I refuse I'm "not going above and beyond". What's wrong with going above and beyond within the confines of my actual job? I don't want to do your laundry/make your dinner/buy your groceries. I take care of CHILDREN, and if you'd let me do it, I do a great job.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 06:51
Subject: You can't have it both ways
Anonymous wrote:If you feel that way about the profession, why not do something else? You have to show up on time in any job. Your attitude sucks
Of course you have to show up on time, both of you. Common courtesy dictates that if you have an occasional emergency, you phone immediately, so the other person can plan accordingly. It's when either person begins to take advantage of the other, that things will go downhill quickly.
If your hours are 8-6, you arrive by 8, and I arrive by 6. Period.
Anonymous
10/24/2013 00:50
Subject: You can't have it both ways
If you feel that way about the profession, why not do something else? You have to show up on time in any job. Your attitude sucks
Anonymous
10/23/2013 23:25
Subject: You can't have it both ways
I hear so many MB's here and other places always saying crap like nannies need to treat this like a real job and will have the same expectations of one. My thought is yes, we need to show up on time, be reliable, and somewhat flexible. However, when it suits their needs, it seems some MBs no longer want to treat it like real job on their end. By this, I mean they can discriminate for anything (included the nanny getting pregnant and firing her for it). We constantly hear how nannies are not protected with the same laws that corporate employees are. So why should I treat it like they treat their job if they can do whatever the hell they want and not be legally liable for certain actions they take? I should be able to get some flexibility with my time too and not have to revolve my whole world around MBs schedule.