A nanny who has only been there a short time will not expect a weeks pay at year end. The norm is 1 day's pay per month of employment, up to 5 days total.

Of course bonuses are optional. The above is a typical calculation method - much like 15% is a suggestion for tipping wait staff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

NP, but I agree with her that not getting a bonus at what it already a challenging job is often the last straw. If you think the job you offer is a good one, and your nanny is generally happy, then a bonus likely isn't going to be the end all. However, if you know you've put her through the wringer this year (changed her hours, didn't give a raise, added new duties without pay, are late ALL THE TIME, added a new baby without a rate increase, furloughed her, etc.) a bonus is a good way to show that you appreciate all the crap she takes for you. I too have left a couple of jobs in January. Not getting a bonus at a job you work your tail off for can really make you feel like shit and like your employers don't give a damn. No nanny is going to tell you that is why she is quitting, but just watch the uptick in people looking for new nannies after the holidays.

Do you really think that an employer who knows that they did all these things to their nanny is going to give their nanny a good bonus? You're preaching to the choir here.

There are some employers out there who have done some of these things out of necessity at the time, and ARE cognizant of the fact that their nanny took a lot of shit from them this year. For example, my MB is a single mom and money has obviously been tight. She is normally a wonderful thoughtful boss who I've worked for happily for 3 years, but this year she's been late frequently (at least 3 times a week) while ignoring the OT, leaning on me to do things that aren't my job, and waited for me to come to her about a raise instead of offering one after over 2 years at the same rate. It is still a good job that I enjoy, but she is fully aware that she's pushing my buttons, and I truly believe that it was out of necessity. Now she's started a new job, is making more money, and has loads more PTO than she did. If some of that doesn't roll down hill, it will be a slap in the face, and I will move on. Not specifically because of the bonus, but not getting one shows how unappreciated my efforts and understanding were.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

NP, but I agree with her that not getting a bonus at what it already a challenging job is often the last straw. If you think the job you offer is a good one, and your nanny is generally happy, then a bonus likely isn't going to be the end all. However, if you know you've put her through the wringer this year (changed her hours, didn't give a raise, added new duties without pay, are late ALL THE TIME, added a new baby without a rate increase, furloughed her, etc.) a bonus is a good way to show that you appreciate all the crap she takes for you. I too have left a couple of jobs in January. Not getting a bonus at a job you work your tail off for can really make you feel like shit and like your employers don't give a damn. No nanny is going to tell you that is why she is quitting, but just watch the uptick in people looking for new nannies after the holidays.

Do you really think that an employer who knows that they did all these things to their nanny is going to give their nanny a good bonus? You're preaching to the choir here.

Anonymous wrote:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

NP, but I agree with her that not getting a bonus at what it already a challenging job is often the last straw. If you think the job you offer is a good one, and your nanny is generally happy, then a bonus likely isn't going to be the end all. However, if you know you've put her through the wringer this year (changed her hours, didn't give a raise, added new duties without pay, are late ALL THE TIME, added a new baby without a rate increase, furloughed her, etc.) a bonus is a good way to show that you appreciate all the crap she takes for you. I too have left a couple of jobs in January. Not getting a bonus at a job you work your tail off for can really make you feel like shit and like your employers don't give a damn. No nanny is going to tell you that is why she is quitting, but just watch the uptick in people looking for new nannies after the holidays.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Wow, it sounds like you had a bad job. So you left because the job was terrible, not because of the bonus, right? Because clearly, you wouldn't have stayed in such a terrible job just because you got a week's bonus, right?

If she has only been with you for two months, it might be hard to determine if she has earned a bonus.

If you think she is great, perhaps give a prorated bonus (maybe 1/4 of a week's salary) and a gift would be appropriate.

Since she has only been with you 1/6 of the year, it would be inappropriate for you to give her a week's salary for a bonus.

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to give any bonus at all.

If your nanny starts looking for a new job because she feels you didn't give her enough free money then it was not going to be a long term relationship anyways.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but nanny's do leave their jobs over bonuses. I don't know any nanny who would tell their employer that the reason they are leaving, but it certainly does happen. It's not that the bonus or lack of one is the sole reason for leaving, but the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.

For example- I had a challenging job a couple of years ago. Very long hours (on duty 24 hours a day), extremely difficult MB and children with special needs that were not disclosed in detail prior to taking the job. I had been in the job about 9 months at Christmas and even had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as this family had coverage 24/7/365. There were multiple nannies in the household and we all worked our butts off in this job. Not one of us received a bonus. Guess what? All 4 of us were searching for a new job once January rolled around. I don't think bonuses are required, but not receiving one sure made me feel unappreciated, especially in a job where I was working so hard and giving so much.

There is a reason that there are more people searching for nannies after the New Year

Our nanny started at the beginning of October. She will be getting $200-$250. I haven't decided exactly yet, because I may get her a gift she's been talking about, too.

You don't need to give any bonus at all.

If your nanny starts looking for a new job because she feels you didn't give her enough free money then it was not going to be a long term relationship anyways.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/nanny-forum/posts/list/302136.page

Seriously????

Please read the EXTREMELY recent thread on this, or expect it to be assumed that you're trolling.

You're not obligated to give any bonus at all.

I'm a nanny who is used to getting a week's salary as a bonus, but would never expect it having been at a job for only a couple of months. A smaller bonus and gift sound completely appropriate.

I know that the going rate for end of year bonuses is a week's salary, however, our nanny will have only worked for us for 2 months by the end of the year. I'm wondering if we are obligated to pay a full week's salary. My inclination is to pay a week's salary so that the nanny doesn't think about looking for another job, but wondering if a slightly smaller bonus with a personal gift (a scarf, flowers, etc.) would be sufficient.