The first time a family wanted to run a credit check, I asked why. They explained that the previous nanny had (3 times) asked for a loan to pay unexpected bills. They fired her when she stole after being turned down for a fourth “loan” (she had made no attempt to repay the first three). They were only interested in my debt to credit ratio and whether I was keeping up with payments. I had zero problems furnishing my information for them.

I’ve had a couple families run checks since then. There’s nothing damaging in my file. If they’re filing the I-9 and W-4, they’ll have my information anyway. I don’t see a downside.

To me, it’s the same as a drug test or background check. It’s a basic precaution a family can take to try to ensure that the nanny is trustworthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp , wow I don’t know what employers you have worked for . We always cut a personal check as our cpa runs the tax amounts for us . We would never give a check to our employee that would bounce . Also nannies can run background checks on their employers if they want , that means they’d have to pay $100+ for it just like the employers do every time they run one on a nanny . Most nannies are too cheap to do that !

Do you honestly think nannies are “too cheap”? It couldn’t be an issue of simply can’t afford to run a $100 check.

And to do a proper check would involve fingerprints of the employers at the most and as numbers at the least. It’s not common practice to ask that of a potential employer. I wish it was, but it’s not.

And do you run multiple background checks over the years on your one nanny or have you gone through several nannies (my guess).

I’ve never had to run a background check with fingerprints except for foster kids.

Are you a nanny or employer of a nanny?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I wish it were standard-operating-procedure just to get a reference from the former nanny. I’d have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had in my last job.

Why not ask for one?

It’s just not done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is important for the nanny candidate to run a credit check on the potential employer to make sure they can actually pay her.

Doesn’t mean much as the employer could still lose his/her job or just stiff the nanny out of spite.

+1 Nannies should always be on the lookout for signs of financial distress especially during this pandemic. Get ready to jump ship if they are late with even one paycheck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp , wow I don’t know what employers you have worked for . We always cut a personal check as our cpa runs the tax amounts for us . We would never give a check to our employee that would bounce . Also nannies can run background checks on their employers if they want , that means they’d have to pay $100+ for it just like the employers do every time they run one on a nanny . Most nannies are too cheap to do that !

Do you honestly think nannies are “too cheap”? It couldn’t be an issue of simply can’t afford to run a $100 check.

And to do a proper check would involve fingerprints of the employers at the most and as numbers at the least. It’s not common practice to ask that of a potential employer. I wish it was, but it’s not.

And do you run multiple background checks over the years on your one nanny or have you gone through several nannies (my guess).

I’ve never had to run a background check with fingerprints except for foster kids.

Anonymous wrote:As a nanny, I wish it were standard-operating-procedure just to get a reference from the former nanny. I’d have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had in my last job.

Why not ask for one?

As a nanny, I wish it were standard-operating-procedure just to get a reference from the former nanny. I’d have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had in my last job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with all the above.

I do hope, however, it becomes common practice for any in-home employee to run a criminal and civil judgement background check on employers. Nannies have a right to know whose home they will be working in and limit the possibility of getting stuck inside with a creep.

I also wish it were common practice to get employer references especially from the former nanny (if there was one).

I’m an older nanny who can take care of herself but I see these young women or undocumented women as being so vulnerable to creepy or unscrupulous employers.

That’s a bit patronizing of younger women, pp. Most of us can take care of ourselves.

I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend and I believe you are more than capable. But you’re also targets for a creepy husband in a way that I am not. I just wish there was a standard procedure to check out potential employers.

You do realize that rape is about control and not sex? So an older nanny would be as vunerable to a predator as a younger one.

True but there are many degrees of sexual harassment before rape. Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby didn’t target women in the 50’s.

Anonymous wrote:Pp , wow I don’t know what employers you have worked for . We always cut a personal check as our cpa runs the tax amounts for us . We would never give a check to our employee that would bounce . Also nannies can run background checks on their employers if they want , that means they’d have to pay $100+ for it just like the employers do every time they run one on a nanny . Most nannies are too cheap to do that !

Do you honestly think nannies are “too cheap”? It couldn’t be an issue of simply can’t afford to run a $100 check.

And to do a proper check would involve fingerprints of the employers at the most and as numbers at the least. It’s not common practice to ask that of a potential employer. I wish it was, but it’s not.

And do you run multiple background checks over the years on your one nanny or have you gone through several nannies (my guess).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with all the above.

I do hope, however, it becomes common practice for any in-home employee to run a criminal and civil judgement background check on employers. Nannies have a right to know whose home they will be working in and limit the possibility of getting stuck inside with a creep.

I also wish it were common practice to get employer references especially from the former nanny (if there was one).

I’m an older nanny who can take care of herself but I see these young women or undocumented women as being so vulnerable to creepy or unscrupulous employers.

That’s a bit patronizing of younger women, pp. Most of us can take care of ourselves.

I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend and I believe you are more than capable. But you’re also targets for a creepy husband in a way that I am not. I just wish there was a standard procedure to check out potential employers.

You do realize that rape is about control and not sex? So an older nanny would be as vunerable to a predator as a younger one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Credit check?? Really. You must be paying 100k yearly. Good luck finding a good nanny.

Very common, actually.

Unless nanny is handling your financial affairs then you have no right to run a credit check. On the other hand, a prospective nanny should run a credit check on prospective employer because far too many are living beyond their means. Also, they should insist on a payroll company and refuse your personal check as it could bounce.

I would have no problem having both parties run the check. I have excellent credit.

Pp , wow I don’t know what employers you have worked for . We always cut a personal check as our cpa runs the tax amounts for us . We would never give a check to our employee that would bounce . Also nannies can run background checks on their employers if they want , that means they’d have to pay $100+ for it just like the employers do every time they run one on a nanny . Most nannies are too cheap to do that !

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Credit check?? Really. You must be paying 100k yearly. Good luck finding a good nanny.

Very common, actually.

Unless nanny is handling your financial affairs then you have no right to run a credit check. On the other hand, a prospective nanny should run a credit check on prospective employer because far too many are living beyond their means. Also, they should insist on a payroll company and refuse your personal check as it could bounce.

Anonymous wrote:It is important for the nanny candidate to run a credit check on the potential employer to make sure they can actually pay her.

Doesn’t mean much as the employer could still lose his/her job or just stiff the nanny out of spite.

It is important for the nanny candidate to run a credit check on the potential employer to make sure they can actually pay her.