Anonymous
Post 06/28/2016 00:22     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
It sounds fair to me, but I am not your nanny.
And if your nanny isn't happy w/her compensation then in all honesty, I wouldn't want my children in the company of a disgruntled caregiver.

I say time to give her her walking papers & find a replacement.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 20:29     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Anonymous wrote:Nanny has been with us 5 years, and is now making $22/hour for nearly 50 hours a week - we started her at $18/hour and have given $1/ hour raise every year. This is the year the youngest goes to FT school - 7:30 to 3:30 (includes a bus ride). We realize we can't cut her hours to part time because we need her for vacation and sick days, and so we are willing to keep her on as long as she takes on additional tasks (errands, shopping, cooking, laundry). However, it feels outrageous to pay over $50k/year for someone to sit around for 7 hours a day most days (we can't possibly give her enough to fill that time). So this year instead of a raise we are proposing to keep her pay the same and reduce her hours (probably give her one morning a week she can come 2.5 hours later), so she is getting a raise in her hourly rate but not a raise in overall pay (but also not a reduction).

Is this unreasonable? She is unhappy about it, but it seems fair to me. I doubt she could find another job that pays her over $1000 a week so fast, and we could probably find someone who was happy for $20/hour for 40 hours a week with OT when kids are off, and save ourselves $200/week. So I feel like we are trying to do right by her by not firing her or cutting her hours/salary, but she doesn't see it that way.

1. She probably has a better offer elsewhere.
2. Do you have a written agreement?
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 20:29     Subject: Re:Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Thanks all - OP here. I think you have confirmed what I suspect. She has said she wants the job, because I think she is stressed about money and worried about finding a new job, but I think she really won't be happy doing this job and that is leaking out in her attitude and grumpiness about not getting a raise. As far as why we want to keep her, honestly I am not sure I do. My kids are attached to her, and I know we need to pay someone for pretty much full time to account for sick kids and school holidays and vacations, so I was hoping we could keep her on and make it work. But I am realizing we are probably better off letting her go with a good reference and finding someone for slightly fewer hours who is happier to do household work when the kids aren't around. I think our nanny will struggle to find a job that pays as well as we do, and I feel like if she knew that her attitude toward us and the job we have for her now might be better, but I can't make her realize that. Oh well.
doodlebug
Post 06/27/2016 19:59     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
As a nanny, I'd be flattered and grateful you liked me enough to try and keep me on like that. That said, I'm not a great housekeeper and don't enjoy housekeeping at all, so I'd probably decline knowing we'd both end up unhappy with me in that new role. Your nanny needs to decide what she wants to do and then do it all the way. She can accept your proposal which is fair, she can ask if you just need someone part time and fill in with another part time job, or she can leave entirely and find something more in line with her skills and interests. If she decides to stay on, then she needs to do it well and without complaint. Sounds like she's not willing to do that.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:56     Subject: Re:Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
I was with a family for 7 years. Once the kids started school full time I didnt get a raise but i was ok with that because was basically off 6 hours a day. Yes there were days that a kid was sick, but not many. I still got paid my full time salary for working 5 hours a day.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:52     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Why do you want to keep this nanny so bad? Why are you paying her so much? Are you kids special needs? Is she Mary Poppins?
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 19:52     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Anonymous wrote:Seems fairly reasonable to me, but why the 2,5 hours? Why not give her the whole morning off until 2pm or whenever she needs to start lunch/pick up the kids? Presumably with so much time each morning she can accomplish all the tasks?

Or does she object to the new tasks and not the money?


So keep paying nanny $50,000 a year but only ask her to work ~20 a week vs. the original 50? Win for the nanny, insanity for anyone else.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 15:33     Subject: Re:Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
OP please ignore any snarky nannies commenting. When children start going to school the nanny position goes into a family assistant role and yes household duties are added. Perhaps your nanny just wants to stay as nanny and your position is not looking good to her. Decide what your family needs as a whole and talk with your nanny about it. do get her input and choose what you will compromise and what you will not.

You really are being reasonable, your position is changing

Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 15:32     Subject: Re:Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Anonymous wrote:It's not unreasonable, but you can't make her see it that way. She's now going to be unhappy and dissatisfaction will probably start coloring how she feels about her job and how she performs. If I were in your position and she wasn't happy about the proposed change, I'd start looking into alternate care options.

There are many nannies on DCUM who only want to do childcare and are not interested in keeping a job longer by transitioning into taking on other tasks as the kids get older. It sounds like your nanny is one of them, so let her go find a new family in need of infant care and OT.


I think the 2.5 hours is not enough. Give her a real half day so she could conceivably take a class at the gym or go out for coffee and still wake up late. Or, if you add up all of those 2.5 hours, you get 16 8-hour days. Maybe double her PTO (or give her an extra week); something she can really use.

Or, if she's really not happy, let her go. I think it's fair to tell her you've reached the top of your pay scale, and this is the way it will be going forward, and let her decide what to you.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 15:27     Subject: Re:Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
It's not unreasonable, but you can't make her see it that way. She's now going to be unhappy and dissatisfaction will probably start coloring how she feels about her job and how she performs. If I were in your position and she wasn't happy about the proposed change, I'd start looking into alternate care options.

There are many nannies on DCUM who only want to do childcare and are not interested in keeping a job longer by transitioning into taking on other tasks as the kids get older. It sounds like your nanny is one of them, so let her go find a new family in need of infant care and OT.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 15:06     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
I think her job has run it's course and it feels like charity to me. However, if you want the stability for 1 more year, I think keeping pay constant is more than fair (many employers don't give annual pay raises)

However, you are eventually going to switch to a new childcare solution soon, so why not start looking for alternatives now.

Your situation is perfect for an AuPair- much cheaper, flexible, and you have hours left over for a date night and a weekend here or there.

Or there are usually college girls eager for a 3-7pm after school gig. They can also work on school breaks.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 14:54     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Anonymous wrote:Would you be happy if your boss did this to you? Big deal to come 2.5 hours later one day a week! You are just being cheap.


NP here, but if my organization's needs changed, I could either take or leave the new proposal. I am a former nanny, and would have felt this situation was more than fair and very generous. The alternative would be for them to fire me and hire a part-time nanny, which is all they actually need.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 14:31     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Would you be happy if your boss did this to you? Big deal to come 2.5 hours later one day a week! You are just being cheap.
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 14:30     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Seems fairly reasonable to me, but why the 2,5 hours? Why not give her the whole morning off until 2pm or whenever she needs to start lunch/pick up the kids? Presumably with so much time each morning she can accomplish all the tasks?

Or does she object to the new tasks and not the money?
Anonymous
Post 06/27/2016 14:22     Subject: Instead of a raise... Is this unreasonable?
Nanny has been with us 5 years, and is now making $22/hour for nearly 50 hours a week - we started her at $18/hour and have given $1/ hour raise every year. This is the year the youngest goes to FT school - 7:30 to 3:30 (includes a bus ride). We realize we can't cut her hours to part time because we need her for vacation and sick days, and so we are willing to keep her on as long as she takes on additional tasks (errands, shopping, cooking, laundry). However, it feels outrageous to pay over $50k/year for someone to sit around for 7 hours a day most days (we can't possibly give her enough to fill that time). So this year instead of a raise we are proposing to keep her pay the same and reduce her hours (probably give her one morning a week she can come 2.5 hours later), so she is getting a raise in her hourly rate but not a raise in overall pay (but also not a reduction).

Is this unreasonable? She is unhappy about it, but it seems fair to me. I doubt she could find another job that pays her over $1000 a week so fast, and we could probably find someone who was happy for $20/hour for 40 hours a week with OT when kids are off, and save ourselves $200/week. So I feel like we are trying to do right by her by not firing her or cutting her hours/salary, but she doesn't see it that way.