Can I just ask why people have be so critical of OP? She said: "Just interested in what other families do/nannies expect." There's no need to make value judgments - she's not trying to have her cake and eat it too - she's honestly asking for your input into whether she should pay a standard 8 hour day when her nanny isn't working, or if she needs to pay the same hours that the nanny normally works. I think it's a really good question. No need to project your impression that because she asks the question, she's the sui genesis selfish evil mom who makes all nannies who work for her or breathe the air in the same county as her justifiably bitter.

Love,
Comestodcurbanmom.comeverysixmonthsseekingalittleguidanceandthenfleeswhenreadsallthenastygramsthatpeoplefeel compelledtowriteunderthecoveroftotalanonymitybye!

You can't have your cake and eat it, too. It sounds like she typically works certain days more than 8 hours and other days less than 8 hours. If you are going to pay her < 8 hours on the premise that she would have worked only a half day, then the days she would have worked > 8 hours, you should pay her for those hours, not cut it to 8 hours. You should make her whole and pay her what you otherwise would have.

Pay her for whatever time you expect her to be available for, whether you use it or not.

OP - we guaranteed 40 hours a week, but I can see where if we usually pay 9.5 hours that we should pay that. That's why I asked, definitely not trying to shortchange her.

I pay our nanny what she would have earned (guaranteed hours) if she had been working. For us that is 9.5 hours a day. It never occurred to me to try to short-change her.

I have to say that I understand why so many nannies are so bitter. This ridiculous nickel and dime-ing by employers is embarrassing.

Hello,

I usually pay my nanny for any random days that we don't need her that we give her off, and of course her sick and vacation or holidays. I pay her 8 hours at her normal rate for those days, is that accurate? We usually pay her 9-10 hours a day on a regular work day.

Also, what about days where she works a half day, say we don't need her in the morning or afternoon. Do you just pay for 8 hours then?

Just interested in what other families do/nannies expect.

Thanks!