OP here. Turns out the next employer asked her about a part-time job with more kids and then extrapolated from that what I am paying her and sent me a shocked e-mail. So, to recap, nanny is not a liar, potential new family is weird. I e-mailed the family back and said I thought she was under quoting them for a part-time job and that I'd paid $24/hour to a kid just out of college who was a disaster for a part-time gig. I told my nanny nice families are out there and we would find one.

You're not helping your nanny with this approach. If you think the family is weird by all means tell the nanny but don't tell the family that they need to up their offer. They will just walk away and never give the nanny a chance to negotiate. The nanny should be the one to decide whether she wants to negotiate or not.

At $24 an hour you are paying very high over market. I was in the same situation where I knew that I was paying our nanny $5-$7 more an hour than anyone else in the neighborhood and our area. The reference checks were all surprised and reported that they were seeing many equally candidates for much, much less. If I had lectured or implied that they couldn't get her for anything other than what I paid she wouldn't have received any offers and been able to negotiate up.

Your nanny and mine got lucky finding employers who don't really care what we pay but these jobs aren't easy to find.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I think it is very inappropriate for the prospective family to ask what I am currently making. She should not discuss her pay with anyone, but you. If they make an offer that is below her requirement, she could kindly say, "that is below what I am expecting/used to." She can then see if they can negotiate.

Well nanny, in the real world employers do ask questions regarding past salary. Even Mc Donalds workers are asked.

Well then, McDonalds is exactly where you belong.

This is a silly comment. This information is required on a federal resume, and some private sector employers hiring professionals will ask, too. It is not unusual and it is certainly not an indication that a person 'should be working at McDonalds.'

Do those forms also ask your social security number?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I think it is very inappropriate for the prospective family to ask what I am currently making. She should not discuss her pay with anyone, but you. If they make an offer that is below her requirement, she could kindly say, "that is below what I am expecting/used to." She can then see if they can negotiate.

Well nanny, in the real world employers do ask questions regarding past salary. Even Mc Donalds workers are asked.

Well then, McDonalds is exactly where you belong.

This is a silly comment. This information is required on a federal resume, and some private sector employers hiring professionals will ask, too. It is not unusual and it is certainly not an indication that a person 'should be working at McDonalds.'

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Turns out the next employer asked her about a part-time job with more kids and then extrapolated from that what I am paying her and sent me a shocked e-mail. So, to recap, nanny is not a liar, potential new family is weird. I e-mailed the family back and said I thought she was under quoting them for a part-time job and that I'd paid $24/hour to a kid just out of college who was a disaster for a part-time gig. I told my nanny nice families are out there and we would find one.

Ah - well that's very different (and must make you feel better about what your nanny was actually telling people). Good luck finding a good fit for her!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I think it is very inappropriate for the prospective family to ask what I am currently making. She should not discuss her pay with anyone, but you. If they make an offer that is below her requirement, she could kindly say, "that is below what I am expecting/used to." She can then see if they can negotiate.

Well nanny, in the real world employers do ask questions regarding past salary. Even Mc Donalds workers are asked.

Well then, McDonalds is exactly where you belong.

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I think it is very inappropriate for the prospective family to ask what I am currently making. She should not discuss her pay with anyone, but you. If they make an offer that is below her requirement, she could kindly say, "that is below what I am expecting/used to." She can then see if they can negotiate.

Well nanny, in the real world employers do ask questions regarding past salary. Even Mc Donalds workers are asked.

My fees commensurate with my accomplishments and the needs of any new job I may consider. It may be just me, but I doubt it.

It is possible that you are limited in your scope. In that case, you can do, only so much. So if a new job required more, you simply would not be qualified, and should therefore, stay with your current wages. I see where you're coming from on this, 14:02.