Agree that the person who said this was "disgusting" needs to calm down. She is just getting options...either way, the nanny will get an increase in salary. If she wants another part time at $30, she can do that. It is really hard (not impossible, I know) to find a full-time for $30/hour. The main thing is honesty and working through it - as long as her salary increases, I think she will be happy. Never has anyone stated to rip off your nanny!

Anonymous wrote:What a disgusting thread! So this mb took another position and I'm assuming because it has financial benefits opposed to what she was doing before. YET wants to find a way to cheat someone that they expect to work 10 hours of overtime per week? Why? So that you can hold on to your salary increase while she gets nothing? Maybe you shouldn't have a nanny if this is how you are seeing the situation. Unreal

Calm down. She's trying to figure out how she can afford this.

OP - can you afford your current nanny for the 50 hours if you were paying $20/hr for all of those hours? If so, then that is a very sizeable increase in income for her (assuming she is not put off by a more full-time workload of course.) What you would do then is take the $1,000 weekly amount that you can afford, and back that into what that means for a base rate at 40 hours and 10 hours of overtime. $1000/week for 50 hours works out to a base hourly wage of $18.18 and an overtime rate of $27.27

I don't think that's an offensive offer to your existing nanny. It's almost a 10% reduction in hourly rate, but it's almost a 40% increase in income. She might not be interested of course, but I don't think there's any harm in talking with her about it.

If she's not interested then you have lots of room to look for someone new. The dollars you're talking about will give you a great deal of options in applicants.

Another option is to see if she wants to do four days a week, and you hire someone else one day a week.

I'm a MB who cringes every time I see how much the overtime costs, but, really, it isn't that much. At her current rate, the 10 hours/wk = $200. At OT rates, it is $300. $100/wk isn't nothing (5K/year), but compared to what you're paying overall, it really isn't much.

What a disgusting thread! So this mb took another position and I'm assuming because it has financial benefits opposed to what she was doing before. YET wants to find a way to cheat someone that they expect to work 10 hours of overtime per week? Why? So that you can hold on to your salary increase while she gets nothing? Maybe you shouldn't have a nanny if this is how you are seeing the situation. Unreal

I am not sure of the legalities since you are paying "on-the-books." I think since you are using a payroll service, you would have to automatically pay OT pay since it would leave a paper trail.

I would discuss lowering base rate but offer health insurance help (it is tax free to help with insurance payments) and perhaps ensure she gets a bonus each year (not just xmas).

Yes, you must pay OT. No way around it. However, it is very true that her base rate of $30 was not based on a full-time basis and thus, you could discuss lowering her overall rate. Between $18-$25 are totally fair base rates for the DC for a 50 hour work week. As long as she is making a fair wage and making more money, she should be ok. Trust me, if you look for another nanny and offer the going rates ($18-$25), you willh have no issue getting a nanny at that rate. You want to be fair so have an open discussion. $30/hour plus overtime and taxes may be getting up to $4000-$5000 a month!

Nope. If your nanny works more than 40 hours a week, you must pay overtime. You can not have her work more than 40 hours a week or you can ask her to take a pay cut. If neither is possible, then you can't afford your nanny, unfortunately.

You cannot legally get around overtime, but you certainly can discuss with your nanny what you need and what you can afford.

I would start by figuring out what you are able to afford weekly, and then see how that translates to an hourly rate (40 hours at base, 10hrs at 1.5x base). There are calculators that help w/ this through all the major payroll services.

Try not to insult her of course. Asking someone to take less than their hourly rate is pretty tough, but if she's interested in a more fulltime position, and that brings with it a significant boost in income, perhaps there is room to negotiate.

Also, think about whether there are other things you can offer to reward her that don't cost as much. (Health insurance contribution - which is not taxable to either of you, more days off or increased flexibility with vacation time, etc...

I disagree that a $20 base rate is not much - depending where you are and what your household needs are you can likely find quality care for a lower hourly rate, but obviously keeping someone you know and value is worth trying.

Good luck! (And congrats on the job!)

Anonymous wrote:I have just accepted a new job that will move our nanny from 36 hours a week to 50 hours a week. I am very worried about being able to afford ten hours of overtime at $30 an hour. Our nanny is paid legally with a payroll service.

Is there anyway to legally get around overtime?

Of course. She works no more than 40 hours a week. Aren't you just too, too wonderful , trying to find a way to screw the person who cares for your most possession, your children.

What is your increased annual salary for your new job? Does it not allow for the increased hours you need? A base rate of $20/hour is not all that much to begin with. At least not in the Washington area.

OT is expensive for a reason. Asking someone to increase their work week by 14 hours is a lot. If your nanny is even willing to do this, I assure you she won't be interested in lowering her rate to help YOU avoid paying her what she deserves. How would you feel if your boss came to you asking you to help him get out of his legal responsibilities to you? "Larla, I know the law says I have to provide heat during the winter, but its just too expensive to me. Couldn't you just wear layers?" The law is the law, and that you are even trying to find ways around it would make me instantly lose respect for you as my employer. You'd be out of a nanny on the morning of your new job.

There's no way to legally avoid overtime short of hiring a live in nanny (in some states)

That being said, a 36 hour/wk job is often paid at a higher hourly rate than a 50 hour/wk job, because of the lack of OT. If your nanny really wants full time work, she may be willing to lower her base rate from her part time rate. Or, she may not. But it's s starting point for a conversation if paying a base rate of $20/hr will really limit your ability to employ her long term.

I have just accepted a new job that will move our nanny from 36 hours a week to 50 hours a week. I am very worried about being able to afford ten hours of overtime at $30 an hour. Our nanny is paid legally with a payroll service.

Is there anyway to legally get around overtime?