Anonymous wrote:Depends a bit on your job. If you're a fed family and so the nanny likely has a pretty steady hrs and not crazy OT with you, then a very generous gift may be fine. If you are lawyers and work your nanny a ton, yes, you should pay a week's bonus.
- MB (whose family fits in neither category)

I don't think it has anything to do with what kind of schedule your nanny has, and more to do with the quality of her work and how much you appreciate her. Bonuses are standard in some industries and not in others - nannying is one where it is considered standard. All you have to do is run a google search to know that much.

Depends a bit on your job. If you're a fed family and so the nanny likely has a pretty steady hrs and not crazy OT with you, then a very generous gift may be fine. If you are lawyers and work your nanny a ton, yes, you should pay a week's bonus.
- MB (whose family fits in neither category)

77% of what people give their nanny a weeks pay ($500) as a bonus? Are you kidding me? Do you get that from your job. I surely NEVER have. Especially in this 'economy'

A gift for the Nanny is more appropriate. Most jobs here dont give a Christmas bonus. Folks are barely getting small increases for cost of living let alone a bonus. Do what you are comfortable with doing now and topping next yea. you cant do it now and not next year.

Bonuses are not common in the DC area because fewer family work in the financial sector where a bonus is part of the compensation package. You are going to find different norms in DC, NYC, and Ohio.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just found this on a NY parenting blog I follow:

http://www.parkslopeparents.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=7036&Itemid=711

Nice find, PP!

I'd like to highlight: "77% of people give their nanny a week’s pay as a bonus (19% give more, 4% less)"

And for everyone getting caught up in the language, bonuses are standard but not mandatory. If you're a CEO you also expect a bonus, because it is standard, but if for some reason your company slashes bonuses one year, you won't quit in a huff because it isn't a mandatory part of your compensation. Nannies also expect bonuses, because they're standard, but a family that gives a card and a gift is probably not going to lose their nanny over it. You are all free to decide what you're comfortable with, none of us is saying you MUST give your nanny at LEAST $X for a bonus - just that like tipping your newspaper delivery boy, your doorman, or your hairdresser, a bonus for your nanny is traditional/common/standard.

This exactly. A bonus for the nanny is standard. Just as tipping at a restaraunt is standard. Does everyone do it? No. Does everyone give the same amount? No. Will your nanny take you giving no bonus as a comment on her job performance? Yes, most likely. Especially if she is/has been a great nanny, and is accustomed to receiving one.

Anonymous wrote:Just found this on a NY parenting blog I follow:

http://www.parkslopeparents.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=7036&Itemid=711

Nice find, PP!

I'd like to highlight: "77% of people give their nanny a week’s pay as a bonus (19% give more, 4% less)"

And for everyone getting caught up in the language, bonuses are standard but not mandatory. If you're a CEO you also expect a bonus, because it is standard, but if for some reason your company slashes bonuses one year, you won't quit in a huff because it isn't a mandatory part of your compensation. Nannies also expect bonuses, because they're standard, but a family that gives a card and a gift is probably not going to lose their nanny over it. You are all free to decide what you're comfortable with, none of us is saying you MUST give your nanny at LEAST $X for a bonus - just that like tipping your newspaper delivery boy, your doorman, or your hairdresser, a bonus for your nanny is traditional/common/standard.

Anonymous wrote:I have only ever heard of bonuses on this board from the nannies.

You must not be familiar with this nifty website called Google, but it will change your life when you discover it!

Just found this on a NY parenting blog I follow:

http://www.parkslopeparents.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=7036&Itemid=711

Nope not standard. When we were checking reference, I asked each reference for each candidate whether they gave a bonus. All said no but that they did a gift card or some sort of smallish gift. I also asked neighbors and co-workers about a bonus. No one does it. I have only ever heard of bonuses on this board from the nannies.

Anonymous wrote:If you are tipping your nanny (in any amount) consider giving it to them now prior to the holiday in case it is needed to shop for his/her family.

Good idea!

Anonymous wrote:

I don't know about other nannies, but for me, but with three of my nanny jobs, I received at least 2 weeks salary for a Christmas bonus. I don't know what other nannies get, but that is what I have gotten in the past.

Wow, how unusual! It's very rare to get more than a week's salary as a bonus. Yet it happened to you three times?

Doubt it, troll.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am not a troll. I have had three families I worked for over the years who all gave me at least two weeks salary. Another family gave me a 1 week bonus. I know not every family does that or can do that, but that is what I have gotten over the years.

If you are tipping your nanny (in any amount) consider giving it to them now prior to the holiday in case it is needed to shop for his/her family.

http://www.parentmap.com/article/gifts-for-your-village

http://www.info.4nannytaxes.com/blog-0/bid/78842/End-of-Year-Nanny-Bonus

Very similar advice, two very different sources.

Bonuses are not "standard". If your nanny has been amazing and you want to give her a bonus, go for it.

But all the nannies here who want you to believe that you have to pay them an extra two weeks pay for doing their jobs are talking crazy.