Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't you have to give it to them after you accept a written job offer?

Yes, if you are being paid on the books. The employer must have it to issue you a W-2.

What would you tell them when they want it right when they meet you, way before they extend a written offer?

The truth. That you would be happy to give it to them, if and when both parties choose to move forward in the hiring process. A lot of parents become clueless when they set out to hire a nanny and they really just don't see how ridiculous some of their requests are. I say the same thing to parents that want to call my references before even a phone interview. "Patience, grasshopper"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't you have to give it to them after you accept a written job offer?

Yes, if you are being paid on the books. The employer must have it to issue you a W-2.

What would you tell them when they want it right when they meet you, way before they extend a written offer?

Anonymous wrote:Don't you have to give it to them after you accept a written job offer?

Yes, if you are being paid on the books. The employer must have it to issue you a W-2.

Anonymous wrote:I do not give my SSN until an offer has been extended and a contract has been signed (contingent upon a clean background check). I also have the confidentiality clause in my contract edited to be a mutual clause, as most of them are worded to protect only the employers. I also note in the clause their responsibility to take reasonable measures to protect my personal information and any sensitive documents that may be in their care. My employers have not only my SSN, but a copy of my birth certificate, passport, and drivers license. I would not be happy to find it just laying out somewhere for strangers to rifle through.

This is spot on. Especially the mutual clause - I've never had an issue with employers not guarding my personal information, but it serves as a bit of a fail-safe.

Don't you have to give it to them after you accept a written job offer?

This is an excellent question OP.

It is my dilemma as a nanny too.
I don't have a problem giving it out to companies when looking for other types of work.

But when families request it, I feel weird since they could be just anyone I pass on the street.
How do I know what the heck they will do with my info?

Personally, I do not give it out to anyone.
I show families my driver's license and driving record, but never give out my SSN# to anyone. It has cost me a few jobs, but at least I am secure knowing that my identity is not jeopardized.

Don't give it until there ready to hire you. On many of the online agencies websites they have background checking applications where once requested by a potential employer you put in your info including ssn and the potential employer never sees it just the background company. Once your hired then your boss needs it .

I do not give my SSN until an offer has been extended and a contract has been signed (contingent upon a clean background check). I also have the confidentiality clause in my contract edited to be a mutual clause, as most of them are worded to protect only the employers. I also note in the clause their responsibility to take reasonable measures to protect my personal information and any sensitive documents that may be in their care. My employers have not only my SSN, but a copy of my birth certificate, passport, and drivers license. I would not be happy to find it just laying out somewhere for strangers to rifle through.

I wouldn't give it to a family unless they are ready to do a background check.

That's a legitimate concern. I would be more inclined to register with a reputable agency and have them run the BG checks, rather than hand the # over to someone you met online. Just an FYI, they do not need a SSN to run a BG check. It can be done with other information (full name, schools etc)

I'm a newer nanny and entering the realm of background checks. I have nothing to hide, no criminal history or anything, and I'm all for getting a background check when needed. My hesitation is with the actual sharing of my social security number. I'm pretty young and thinking I might just be seeing it too black and white, but I've always been told not to share it with anyone, that it's very private. I've given it to my supervisor in an office setting without much thought because it's a business and for some reason feels more secure... whereas parents are just like any other stranger on the street during interviews. I don't know their background, possible criminal history, etc. How do I know they won't misuse my SSN? How can I feel comfortable providing this info to future bosses in the private in-home childcare setting?