Anonymous
09/08/2014 15:58
Subject: Need some advice!
I agree, please do tell your agency, because you're right, it's likely to be the same if not worse. And please do try to tell the au pair again. Having seen this happen multiple times before (I'm a host parent), au pairs, particularly new au pairs with poor English are going to be really really hesitant to complain to the agency.
Anonymous
09/08/2014 15:46
Subject: Need some advice!
Tell your agency.
Anonymous
09/08/2014 14:43
Subject: Need some advice!
I know this is a forum mainly for host parents but I need some advice on my current host family.
I was an au pair in Georgia for a year with a great host family and I loved every minute of it, but after my year was over I wanted to experience New York City. My old host family completely understood and I still see them when we get the chance. I thought all host families would be like them but I was wrong.
My current host family are okay for the most part, always pay me on time etc. but I work 11 hour days three days a week and make up the rest of the 45 when host mum is home the other two days and when my host dad goes away for business I end up working 13 hour days. I have told my LCC and she spoke to the family but nothing changed. I also never get a schedule, and when I asked my host mum for one all she said was that my hours were 'pretty obvious'. She will tell me on the day what time she wants me to start and I will never know what time I'm finishing until she tells me I'm off. (Aside from the 11 hour days she's at work, those are the 'obvious' hours). The only reason I didn't rematch was because I was only extending for 6 months. Thankfully I finish work in two weeks but they are getting a new au pair and I don't want her to have to go a whole year working over her daily hours. Many times I have also gone over the 45 a week and they give me $8 an hour extra. None of this was discussed with me prior to matching. I'm worried she won't have a good experience, because I know most families are great! I spoke to her before she matched with this family but her English isn't very good so it's hard to know if she understood me. I guess what I'm asking is what should I do to make sure the new au pair doesn't go through what I have?
I was an au pair in Georgia for a year with a great host family and I loved every minute of it, but after my year was over I wanted to experience New York City. My old host family completely understood and I still see them when we get the chance. I thought all host families would be like them but I was wrong.
My current host family are okay for the most part, always pay me on time etc. but I work 11 hour days three days a week and make up the rest of the 45 when host mum is home the other two days and when my host dad goes away for business I end up working 13 hour days. I have told my LCC and she spoke to the family but nothing changed. I also never get a schedule, and when I asked my host mum for one all she said was that my hours were 'pretty obvious'. She will tell me on the day what time she wants me to start and I will never know what time I'm finishing until she tells me I'm off. (Aside from the 11 hour days she's at work, those are the 'obvious' hours). The only reason I didn't rematch was because I was only extending for 6 months. Thankfully I finish work in two weeks but they are getting a new au pair and I don't want her to have to go a whole year working over her daily hours. Many times I have also gone over the 45 a week and they give me $8 an hour extra. None of this was discussed with me prior to matching. I'm worried she won't have a good experience, because I know most families are great! I spoke to her before she matched with this family but her English isn't very good so it's hard to know if she understood me. I guess what I'm asking is what should I do to make sure the new au pair doesn't go through what I have?