Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 15:01     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:What if your AP doesn’t want to pay for a cell phone? You won’t be able to contact her. Of course you’ll pay for her cell phone.


Super cheap flip phone. If they want more than that, they could pay for their own.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 11:12     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
All of these agency owners are making a killing at this racket.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 09:50     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Does anyone know how much of the agency fee is profit for the agency and how much goes to actual expenses for the program?
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 09:26     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:In Canada where APs are paid min wage, employers usually pay for a cell phone, and also still do pay for meals out etc. (we don't go out a lot so this isn't a huge hit for us, and sometimes we go out without her if she's got other plans or we just feel the need for some family time). I think it depends on if they are full time or part time too. Our AP works around 20-25 hours a week, and net after taxes and room and board this works out to around C$10 an hour.


You can't compare to the US program because you don't have to pay an extra 9K/year in agencies fees. I am not sure if you are the same Canadian poster but i have pointed this out before. Your Canadian agencies fees is like $900, US agency fees are like $9000. That is the problem we have with the AP program here, the federal government requirements make the overhead expensive and applying minimum wage makes the program useless for most people.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 09:14     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
In Canada where APs are paid min wage, employers usually pay for a cell phone, and also still do pay for meals out etc. (we don't go out a lot so this isn't a huge hit for us, and sometimes we go out without her if she's got other plans or we just feel the need for some family time). I think it depends on if they are full time or part time too. Our AP works around 20-25 hours a week, and net after taxes and room and board this works out to around C$10 an hour.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 07:59     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
What if your AP doesn’t want to pay for a cell phone? You won’t be able to contact her. Of course you’ll pay for her cell phone.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2020 07:55     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
One of the changes that would come with the proposal to apply minimum wage laws to APs is that now, with the higher hourly rate, they would be expected to pay for regular monthly bills like cell phones and gym memberships on their own. There are some host families who are extremely generous and, in that regard, it makes me wonder if these new proposals will end up benefitting au pairs or actually make the program worse for them.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2020 16:31     Subject: Re:Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:We would probably stop paying for gym membership, cell service, meals out, vacations, gas, etc.

And if it came to that, I believe you can deduct for the cost of room and board from their wages? Right? Wouldn't they still be subject to FLSA? https://ogletree.com/insights/2016-01-14/dol-issues-guidance-on-room-and-board-deductions-for-home-care-workers/


How would you contact your aupair without cell service? Cheapo.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2020 16:03     Subject: Re:Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:We would probably stop paying for gym membership, cell service, meals out, vacations, gas, etc.

And if it came to that, I believe you can deduct for the cost of room and board from their wages? Right? Wouldn't they still be subject to FLSA? https://ogletree.com/insights/2016-01-14/dol-issues-guidance-on-room-and-board-deductions-for-home-care-workers/


“For live-in domestic service employees, an employer may claim up to seven and one-half times the statutory minimum hourly wage for each week that lodging is furnished to an employee.”

Based on costs incurred and rental values. That’s minimum wage in DC ($14), times 7.5 is $105/week.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2020 15:23     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you call your councilmembers you might NOT have to leave the program! New York did it so can we!

With that said, I believe CC made it "easier" for Massachusetts families who wanted to leave.


Thank you! I really don't want to leave the program. I love my au pair. Plus, we spend a LOT more than just the program fee and weekly stipend.


Well then you'd stop paying all that other stuff and just convert it to salary. Stop paying phone, stop paying meals out, stop paying her flight on family trips, etc etc etc. I bet a lot of families would figure out they're no worse off.


We would benefit -- we use less than 20 hours/week. If we could deduct room and board and stop paying all the extras we'd come out ahead.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2020 15:04     Subject: Re:Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
We would probably stop paying for gym membership, cell service, meals out, vacations, gas, etc.

And if it came to that, I believe you can deduct for the cost of room and board from their wages? Right? Wouldn't they still be subject to FLSA? https://ogletree.com/insights/2016-01-14/dol-issues-guidance-on-room-and-board-deductions-for-home-care-workers/
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2020 15:01     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you call your councilmembers you might NOT have to leave the program! New York did it so can we!

With that said, I believe CC made it "easier" for Massachusetts families who wanted to leave.


Thank you! I really don't want to leave the program. I love my au pair. Plus, we spend a LOT more than just the program fee and weekly stipend.


Well then you'd stop paying all that other stuff and just convert it to salary. Stop paying phone, stop paying meals out, stop paying her flight on family trips, etc etc etc. I bet a lot of families would figure out they're no worse off.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2020 12:57     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
Anonymous wrote:If you call your councilmembers you might NOT have to leave the program! New York did it so can we!

With that said, I believe CC made it "easier" for Massachusetts families who wanted to leave.


Thank you! I really don't want to leave the program. I love my au pair. Plus, we spend a LOT more than just the program fee and weekly stipend.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2020 12:36     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
If you call your councilmembers you might NOT have to leave the program! New York did it so can we!

With that said, I believe CC made it "easier" for Massachusetts families who wanted to leave.
Anonymous
Post 01/28/2020 12:24     Subject: Is it easy for a HF to leave the program?
How easy is it to leave the program?

If I suddenly had to pay minimum wage, I'd sadly have to leave the program because it wouldn't be affordable.

Is this fairly easy to do? I'm with CCAP.