Anonymous wrote:Sorry hit submit too soon. After the in-person interview, when you get the official call or email saying “we’d love to hire you!” You then say, “That’s wonderful! I loved your family and I am thrilled you want to move forward! It’s important to me to have a really thorough contract, so here’s a first draft based on my recollection of your needs and compensation package. Let’s set up a time to talk through any changes.”

Then you send an email with a draft of the contract and ask them to go over it. If they balk at a contract, I always explain that it is really important that we hammer out all of our expectations so that everyone is on the same page. Usually they can see the wisdom in that, but if they still object, I just let them know that contracts are really important to me and I won’t accept a job unless and until we habe hashed out and signed a contract.

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
OP

Is my career at the whim of others or do I take it into my own hands and advocate for myself...?

Sorry hit submit too soon. After the in-person interview, when you get the official call or email saying “we’d love to hire you!” You then say, “That’s wonderful! I loved your family and I am thrilled you want to move forward! It’s important to me to have a really thorough contract, so here’s a first draft based on my recollection of your needs and compensation package. Let’s set up a time to talk through any changes.”

Then you send an email with a draft of the contract and ask them to go over it. If they balk at a contract, I always explain that it is really important that we hammer out all of our expectations so that everyone is on the same page. Usually they can see the wisdom in that, but if they still object, I just let them know that contracts are really important to me and I won’t accept a job unless and until we habe hashed out and signed a contract.

Anonymous wrote:Hello nannies and parents,

I am a nanny and for the longest time I have not done contracts. I have decided that I will never take a job without a contract. I am currently looking for a new position and will start meeting some families very very soon. What are the things that you think should always be specified in a nanny contract? What about benefits? Do you (nannies) mention them at all or should it come from the parents? I
Also, if you know of any good contract online let me know.
Any advice is welcomed. I will probably be doing a nanny share if that helps.

Thanks in advance!

Do your research. Google nanny contracts, there are tons available. Each nanny and family prioritizes different things.

http://atoznannycontract.com/author/lorabrawley/

Above is a great contract template.

Before going on any interviews, you should have a very clear idea of exactly what your rate range is. Factor in taxes being withheld and overtime according to the laws in your state. If you don’t have a budget, sit down and write out all of your monthly expenses and then factor in savings for retirement and an emergency fund. That total amount is the BOTTOM of your monthly range. Your hourly will depend on the number of hours for the job with more demanding jobs putting you at a higher range. This may be obvious but I have seen multiple nannies who named a number without doing the math and then had to find a way to cut expenses or find a new job.

***FYI, ALL nannies are legally hourly workers and required to make at least minimum wage and to be paid hourly with overtime rules that vary slightly but usually include hours after 40 at time-and-a-half. Anyone who says you can be paid a salary or get a 1099 is misinformed. You are hourly and you need a W-2.***

When you have a clear range in mind, you will share your range with families 3 times:

1) In your portfolio. Put together a portfolio or website or resume that includes your credentials, examples of your work, written statements from clients, and a sheet that talks about your pay requirements. Share it with prospective clients to look over before the phone interview.

2) During the phone interview. Before the end of the call, say “Before taking up too much of your time with and in-person interview, I always like to make sure that we are compatible on the nuts-and-bolts stuff. Can I confirm that the hours you are looking for are about X-Y Monday-Friday? Great. That works really well for me. Now on my end, my base hourly rate ranges from $X-$Y, with some variation depending on commute, overtime, PTO, job duties, etc. I also require guaranteed hours. Does that all sound like the general range you are in? We can hammer out details later.”

3) During the in-person interview. As you think about the phone interview and sit through the in-person, you should be narrowing down your rate range. How high-maintenance are the parents? How much are they asking you to take on? What are the hours? What is the commute? What other benefits and perks do they offer? Etc. Figure out where they fall in your range and narrow it down to a $2-3 gap (E.g., my overall range might be $21-32, but for a medium-demanding job I would say “Now as I have learned more about this specific job, I can say that I would charge you about $25-27 per hour. Does that sound somewhat doable for you?”

Hello nannies and parents,

I am a nanny and for the longest time I have not done contracts. I have decided that I will never take a job without a contract. I am currently looking for a new position and will start meeting some families very very soon. What are the things that you think should always be specified in a nanny contract? What about benefits? Do you (nannies) mention them at all or should it come from the parents? I
Also, if you know of any good contract online let me know.
Any advice is welcomed. I will probably be doing a nanny share if that helps.

Thanks in advance!