Real world everyone's bonus can be volatile. Up, down, down, up, down, whatever. It is driven by the economy, the health of the company, expenses, whatnot, not "just because."

She'll understand. let her digest it, she'll be fine. If she is having money problems or siphoning off too much money for other things, that is her personal budget issue, not yours.

This is one reason I don't like to be a nanny. When the parents don't need me on a given day then I am out money. You have to think of the Nanny's needs too. Cut back some place else or give it in half. Half now and half after the new year but at least give her the entire bonus that you have been giving. Or give her half and then a gift card of her favorite place to shop or eat.

MB here. I think you need to dig deep this year and come up with at least the same bonus as last year. Bonuses mean a lot to nannies and other personal helpers because it represents your opinion of their work for the year. Are you sure you cannot defer an expense, skip a purchase or donation, etc., to come up with the difference? Do you really want your nanny to be watching your consumption for the next year and making her own judgments on whether they were necessary? That is another reason I consider raises, bonuses and perks very carefully before giving them: they are hard to rescind. A decrease in overall compensation always affects morale.

Anonymous wrote:MB here. We cannot really afford it either but I am going to give our nanny one week's pay (net - $700.00). We will do on the books and pay taxes, which makes it higher as we all know. We thought about a lower amount but we decided just to do it. In the end, these jobs are not stable, unlike many on this board, and giving a bonus is not only a show of appreciation but also may help in the longer term for the nanny.

There should definitely be more MBs like yourself. It is very selfless and as we all know a lot of us nannies are aware of our employers financial position. If I new you were in a bind and still gave me a weeks bonus I would forever be grateful but saddened as I wouldn't think it would be ok to accept it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's something like medical expenses or an emergency and you explained, I wouldn't be upset. However, if I notice that you have a fresh tree overflowing with presents while I scrape to get my kid some presents that I was going to spend my bonus on...

Perhaps it is time to brush up on your skills so you can demand a better wage. No one in any industry should have to rely on a bonus. Fwiw, as a nanny I always got a bonus. I entered a new field 3 years ago and last year there were no bonuses. Not Expecting one this year either. In other ways it's a great job and I can't imagine quitting a great job over a bonus.

It all depends on the big picture, doesn't it?

I'm not expecting a bonus, but if I don't receive one I will be looking for another position after the holidays.

MB here. We cannot really afford it either but I am going to give our nanny one week's pay (net - $700.00). We will do on the books and pay taxes, which makes it higher as we all know. We thought about a lower amount but we decided just to do it. In the end, these jobs are not stable, unlike many on this board, and giving a bonus is not only a show of appreciation but also may help in the longer term for the nanny.

Anonymous wrote:If it's something like medical expenses or an emergency and you explained, I wouldn't be upset. However, if I notice that you have a fresh tree overflowing with presents while I scrape to get my kid some presents that I was going to spend my bonus on...

Perhaps it is time to brush up on your skills so you can demand a better wage. No one in any industry should have to rely on a bonus. Fwiw, as a nanny I always got a bonus. I entered a new field 3 years ago and last year there were no bonuses. Not Expecting one this year either. In other ways it's a great job and I can't imagine quitting a great job over a bonus.

Anonymous wrote:It IS pretty crappy that you can't cut back somewhere else. Your nanny should be more important than most other discretionary expenses.

WHAT?

If it's something like medical expenses or an emergency and you explained, I wouldn't be upset. However, if I notice that you have a fresh tree overflowing with presents while I scrape to get my kid some presents that I was going to spend my bonus on...

Yes tell her or she will think it's due to poor performance

Anonymous wrote:It IS pretty crappy that you can't cut back somewhere else. Your nanny should be more important than most other discretionary expenses.

This

Nanny here. I would totally understand it if you explained to me that your finances are a bit tight at the moment and that it has nothing to do with me - but seeing as how you've given the same bonus the past two years I would bring it up sooner as she might be counting on it (and yes we shouldn't, but we still do, secretly). It would be great of you if you could compensate in other ways, like give her a day or two off (planned in advance) or relieve her earlier (planned in advance) for a couple of days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have given a weeks pay as a bonus for the past 2 years but this year, its too much for us. If I give less, should I explain why? We are still better off than our nanny, but we have some very high expenses this year. I don't want her to think that the lower bonus is a reflection of how we feel about her, but I think she wont understand or believe us if I say we cant afford it.

You can't afford a couple hundred bucks? It's a single week of a nannies pay. Are you declaring bankruptcy? If not then PAY YOUR NANNY HER BONUS.

A bonus is a gift, given in appreciation for a job well done. A nanny is not entitled to a bonus so uncheck your caps lock and stop trying to bully NFs who choose to give a lower bonus, a gift, or no bonus at all. They have nothing to apologize for. How they spend their money is their business, not the nanny's. If the nanny doesn't like it, she should seek a new job.

She probably will and then OP has lost a good nanny because OP is too cheap to pay a week's bonus. Penny wise and pound foolish, false economy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have given a weeks pay as a bonus for the past 2 years but this year, its too much for us. If I give less, should I explain why? We are still better off than our nanny, but we have some very high expenses this year. I don't want her to think that the lower bonus is a reflection of how we feel about her, but I think she wont understand or believe us if I say we cant afford it.

You can't afford a couple hundred bucks? It's a single week of a nannies pay. Are you declaring bankruptcy? If not then PAY YOUR NANNY HER BONUS.

A bonus is a gift, given in appreciation for a job well done. A nanny is not entitled to a bonus so uncheck your caps lock and stop trying to bully NFs who choose to give a lower bonus, a gift, or no bonus at all. They have nothing to apologize for. How they spend their money is their business, not the nanny's. If the nanny doesn't like it, she should seek a new job.