Anonymous
Post 01/24/2013 18:22     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
They NEED to state up front then that they need a nanny who basically has no life outside of work. I actually saw ad to this affect recently. They need to state up front if they consistently need someone more than the stated 50 hours per week. Also, if they want flexibility, then they need to be willing to offer it in return. I don't get that from them.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2013 17:30     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:

+10000000000


Perhaps a nanny job isn't for you, then. Go get a job with a daycare b/c quite frankly, almost all of us nanny employers want a nanny with some flexibility (and not such a shitty attitude).
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2013 17:27     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:They need to pay you for OT.


No, they only need to pay OP for overtime (i.e., time and 1/2) if OP otherwise works over 40 hours. Otherwise, they should just pay you your normal rate.

OP - yes, I think if this occurs frequently that it is disrespectful. But you need to remember that this is one major reason why employers have a nanny....for the flexibility. If you start imposing strict late fees, I suspect this is going to backfire on you and you may end up with an unhappy family who may even fire you.

Now, that doesn't mean - if this happens a lot - that you shouldn't request to get paid that time. But $10 for every 5 minutes late? Your family may just laugh in your face and then find somebody else who isn't quite so entitled.
Anonymous
Post 01/24/2013 11:55     Subject: Re:Guaranteed hours...
For one, if I wanted a job with longer hours, I would've gotten one. I took this job because of the hours. I'm not available outside of that.


But the job you took apparently is more hours than advertised. If you aren't available after, fair enough. Get another job where the parents are more punctual.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2013 15:41     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't it occur to any of the PPs complaining to simply address this with their bosses in a calm, professional manner. "Marcy, just wanted to talk to you about something; I am leaving 15-20 minutes after my scheduled leave time on a fairly regular basis. I understand things happen but I'm wondering if you need me to come in at 8 instead of 7:30 and stay til 6 instead of 5:30? Would that work better for you? I don't mind occasional lateness; I understand things happen sometimes but I do need to know when I will be able to leave so that I can plan my evening accordingly". You'd be surprised how many MB and DBs will apologize and adjust their ways when you bring it to their attention in a professional manner instead of stewing and fuming and not saying anything.

For one, if I wanted a job with longer hours, I would've gotten one. I took this job because of the hours. I'm not available outside of that.


+10000000000
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2013 15:17     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't it occur to any of the PPs complaining to simply address this with their bosses in a calm, professional manner. "Marcy, just wanted to talk to you about something; I am leaving 15-20 minutes after my scheduled leave time on a fairly regular basis. I understand things happen but I'm wondering if you need me to come in at 8 instead of 7:30 and stay til 6 instead of 5:30? Would that work better for you? I don't mind occasional lateness; I understand things happen sometimes but I do need to know when I will be able to leave so that I can plan my evening accordingly". You'd be surprised how many MB and DBs will apologize and adjust their ways when you bring it to their attention in a professional manner instead of stewing and fuming and not saying anything.

For one, if I wanted a job with longer hours, I would've gotten one. I took this job because of the hours. I'm not available outside of that.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2013 11:24     Subject: Re:Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:
BULLSHIT!!! I can do whatever I want and schedule anything I want on my off time. I am not going to be a slave to their time just to be perceived as flexible. I work 50 hours per week and think they get enough from me as it is. I'm not going to fuck up my own schedule just to make things easier for them.



I think they would probably prefer a nanny that does care about making things easier for them. I have worked many different jobs, and the only industry where 15-20 minutes is considered "staying late" is retail. You are an hourly employee and should get paid for your extra time. "Guaranteed hours" is a perk and unfortunately means that if the extra 15 minutes here and there still leaves you below your guarantee, then you get paid the same amount whether they come home at 6 or 6:15. If you would have preferred a higher base rate and no guaranteed hours, then you should have negotiated your contract that way.


This is good advice. There are some families that are super punctual. There also are families with a WAH parent so there is less of an issue of getting stuck in the office. While I agree that parents should bring up the need for flexibility in the interview, unfortunately many working professionals who have never had a blue collar job have no idea that this isn't the norm in other jobs. As a nanny, if you are not flexible and you need to make plans that have you leaving right when your shift ends then you should also bring this up in the interview. As a nanny it doesn't help you to get into a job situation that you dislike so bring this up at the interview if its something that is a problem for you.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2013 11:10     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:I've been nannying for ten years and I've never allowed a family to bank hours. Does anyone here do that with they families?


When it comes to an hour here and an hour there, no. However, in my schedule right now I work everyday except for Wednesdays. I will sometimes agree to working Wednesday one week and getting an additional day off the next week. Or if she doesn't need me on a Monday, for instance, I will sometimes agree to coming in on Wednesday instead. My nanny family treats me very well so I try to be flexible and accommodating with them.
Anonymous
Post 01/23/2013 01:44     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:BULLSHIT!!! I can do whatever I want and schedule anything I want on my off time. I am not going to be a slave to their time just to be perceived as flexible. I work 50 hours per week and think they get enough from me as it is. I'm not going to fuck up my own schedule just to make things easier for them.


I think they would probably prefer a nanny that does care about making things easier for them. I have worked many different jobs, and the only industry where 15-20 minutes is considered "staying late" is retail. You are an hourly employee and should get paid for your extra time. "Guaranteed hours" is a perk and unfortunately means that if the extra 15 minutes here and there still leaves you below your guarantee, then you get paid the same amount whether they come home at 6 or 6:15. If you would have preferred a higher base rate and no guaranteed hours, then you should have negotiated your contract that way.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 20:57     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:You should not have plans within an hour of your scheduled end time. You will not be perceived as valuable if you are not flexible.


BULLSHIT!!! I can do whatever I want and schedule anything I want on my off time. I am not going to be a slave to their time just to be perceived as flexible. I work 50 hours per week and think they get enough from me as it is. I'm not going to fuck up my own schedule just to make things easier for them.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 19:17     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Why doesn't it occur to any of the PPs complaining to simply address this with their bosses in a calm, professional manner. "Marcy, just wanted to talk to you about something; I am leaving 15-20 minutes after my scheduled leave time on a fairly regular basis. I understand things happen but I'm wondering if you need me to come in at 8 instead of 7:30 and stay til 6 instead of 5:30? Would that work better for you? I don't mind occasional lateness; I understand things happen sometimes but I do need to know when I will be able to leave so that I can plan my evening accordingly". You'd be surprised how many MB and DBs will apologize and adjust their ways when you bring it to their attention in a professional manner instead of stewing and fuming and not saying anything.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 19:08     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Anonymous wrote:You should not have plans within an hour of your scheduled end time. You will not be perceived as valuable if you are not flexible.


There is a very fine line between flexible and being taken advantage of. If employers are regularly and significantly late, a nanny has a right to put her foot down. A family who does this to their nanny has already shown that they do not value her.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 19:03     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
You should not have plans within an hour of your scheduled end time. You will not be perceived as valuable if you are not flexible.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 19:02     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
Their* sorry. Autocorrect,
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2013 19:01     Subject: Guaranteed hours...
I've been nannying for ten years and I've never allowed a family to bank hours. Does anyone here do that with they families?