Anonymous
Post 09/20/2013 22:10     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
OP here. We had the conversation and it went really well. She said that she was thinking of asking us a similar request because she hates being bored and wants to take a course. We agreed that she would take a break of at least 3 hours a day- more if she needed. This way it works out really well and she is happy to slot back in to the longer schedule during the school holidays.
She'll still be taking home about $750 after tax so not too bad.

Thanks again for all your helpful advice.
nannydebsays
Post 09/19/2013 15:08     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:12:10, live in nannies stlll have to be paid for all hours worked at straight time.

+1


Sorry if you thought I was implying that OP didn't have to pay her nanny for all hours worked. That wasn't at all what I was saying.

I AM saying that unless OP and nanny live in certain specific areas of the US, OT pay is not needed. Naturally, nanny must be paid straight time for all hours worked. I am also saying that OP needs to check and see if she is obligated to pay OT. If not, maybe that would be enough of a savings to her so that she didn't feel she needed to cut hours so drastically.

Anonymous
Post 09/19/2013 15:07     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
OP here. Thank you for all your responses and very welcome advice. We plan on having the talk with her tomorrow. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

We are aware that we do not need to payovertime rates wher we live. It is just a choice we made to compensate for the long hours the nanny had to work before the kids went to school full time.
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2013 13:13     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:12:10, live in nannies stlll have to be paid for all hours worked at straight time.

+1
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2013 13:09     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
12:10, live in nannies stlll have to be paid for all hours worked at straight time.
nannydebsays
Post 09/19/2013 12:10     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Re-reading, several things caught my attention, but mainly, OP, unless you are in certain specific areas of the US, a live IN nanny is not entitled to be paid OT.

Check the local, state, and federal laws and if OT is not something you have to do take that into consideration when you decide what your next move is.
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2013 11:30     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:If she is unhappy about breaking her day I'd be willing for her to start at 12 and work until 8.


Make sure she knows this is an option and you'll have a much happier nanny!
Anonymous
Post 09/19/2013 01:41     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
There is no commute, OP has a live in nanny.

OP- I think you are being very generous paying that amount of OT for a live in nanny. It's not legally required to pay live in nannies OT.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 23:18     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
I think you're being reasonable OP. Personally I wouldn't want to be up at 7 after working until 8 the night before only to work 90 min. If I really needed the cash I'd want to look for a 4-5 hr morning job, and if I didn't, I'd rather sleep in or at least have a more leisurely morning before heading to the gym or a class or whatever I planmed for the day. Sounds like this shouldn't come as a surprise to her and she took the job expecting 9hr of pay.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 22:09     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP I'd definitely do 9 hours instead of 13. Ofcourse she'll be unhappy because she was getting easy money but stand your ground and don't throw money away for nothing.


Piss off. Maybe she needs those extra 20 hours of income for I DON'T KNOW, her bills, her education, her family, or her savings. Maybe she won't want to get up at 7am to work for 90 minutes and then be off the clock. Why would you immediately jump to her being bitter about not getting paid in the middle of the day? Just rude.


OP here. We did explain at the interview that the long hours would end when the kids are in school so it it not a surprise. If she is unhappy about breaking her day I'd be willing for her to start at 12 and work until 8.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 22:04     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I am this pp - thinking too commuting for a 90 minute shift is not very attractive either. And the 4 hours in between are shorter if she has to drive from your job to another and back. All the more reason I would think some compromise on rate would be a good thing. If you are cutting her back say $400 a week (20 hours at $20 OT rate), somehow adding $100 of this to her pay, and you saving the $300, seems to make sense? You leave it open for her to say she cannot do the morning then, and having her pick up another morning gig instead?


She's a live in and she's not commuting.

OP, there is nothing wrong with the job you are offering; the problem is that you have gotten your nanny used to making a lot more money by getting paid for hours that she is not actually working. Taking these away is much more difficult than not offering them to begin with.

I would suggest you apologize, and recognize that changing the position is a hardship. Then outline the new position, hours, pay and on call requirements, and give your current nanny the right of first refusal. Tell her that you understand if she needs to move on, and that you will support her. Then let her make a decision, and advertise for your new position if you have to.


OP HERE. This is exactly what I planned to do.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 17:17     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:OP I'd definitely do 9 hours instead of 13. Ofcourse she'll be unhappy because she was getting easy money but stand your ground and don't throw money away for nothing.


Piss off. Maybe she needs those extra 20 hours of income for I DON'T KNOW, her bills, her education, her family, or her savings. Maybe she won't want to get up at 7am to work for 90 minutes and then be off the clock. Why would you immediately jump to her being bitter about not getting paid in the middle of the day? Just rude.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 17:12     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:OP I'd definitely do 9 hours instead of 13. Ofcourse she'll be unhappy because she was getting easy money but stand your ground and don't throw money away for nothing.

You know nothing about this woman yet you assume she'll be unhappy because she is no longer making easy money? Wouldn't it be great if nannies, and women in general for that matter, could support each other instead of assuming the worst right off the bat?
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 17:06     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
OP I'd definitely do 9 hours instead of 13. Ofcourse she'll be unhappy because she was getting easy money but stand your ground and don't throw money away for nothing.
Anonymous
Post 09/18/2013 16:36     Subject: Nanny hours and pay question-can we split her hours?
Anonymous wrote:
I am this pp - thinking too commuting for a 90 minute shift is not very attractive either. And the 4 hours in between are shorter if she has to drive from your job to another and back. All the more reason I would think some compromise on rate would be a good thing. If you are cutting her back say $400 a week (20 hours at $20 OT rate), somehow adding $100 of this to her pay, and you saving the $300, seems to make sense? You leave it open for her to say she cannot do the morning then, and having her pick up another morning gig instead?


She's a live in and she's not commuting.

OP, there is nothing wrong with the job you are offering; the problem is that you have gotten your nanny used to making a lot more money by getting paid for hours that she is not actually working. Taking these away is much more difficult than not offering them to begin with.

I would suggest you apologize, and recognize that changing the position is a hardship. Then outline the new position, hours, pay and on call requirements, and give your current nanny the right of first refusal. Tell her that you understand if she needs to move on, and that you will support her. Then let her make a decision, and advertise for your new position if you have to.