Anonymous wrote:Most of the nannies out there just don't deserve a positive reference in the first place. They get away with very bad to mediocre performance because they have no supervision and many moms "want" to believe that their nannies are wonderful. The nannies on this board are horrid. They believe they are wonderful while they constantly brag about not working while being paid, enjoying NetFlix, chatting with other nannies, going to shopping malls and whatever.

The very few excellent nannies have more choices when choosing jobs. They also leave in the first week or two if the parents are strange. The "victim" nannies on this thread are only losing out a reference that they probably didn't deserve in the first place anyway. The only aspects of this that is unjust is that other mediocre to crappy nannies may still get a positive reference. Their performance will eventually catch up to them.

Anonymous wrote:Not particularly. I just like calling you out for the trouble making troll you are.

Anonymous wrote:Resurrecting an old thread to troll. Nice.

Anonymous wrote:Nannies must insist on regular reference letters at least every six months, if not every three months. You never know how your trusted family will suddenly turn evil and vindictive when you give notice. If they seem hesitant, there's your red flag. RUN!

Anonymous wrote:Sure. It all depends how much they want the nanny to stay, in servitude. The word "reference" dictates neither positive, nor negative. However, I must say, that if I wasn't assured that a family wasn't totally thrilled with my services, I'd be inclined to move on. I'm used to people raving about my work, doctors and all. It goes without saying that I do a knock-out job. I'm a raging perfectionist when it comes to the quality of my work. What can I say?

Anonymous wrote:^^ and I'm a nanny

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I'm afraid we have to disagree. Too many nannies have been royally burnt upon giving notice. It's true. Some of us have learned the hard way. So unfortunate. But at least most of us do learn, and we now take prudent measures to protect ourselves from toddler-temper-tantrum moms.

+1

I have never ended a job on bad terms and have always been able to count on references from former employers, but I still include this in my contract (I get a new written reference every 4 months). I have seen too many nanny friends have their trust in their employers backfire to waffle on this point. This is unlike any other job, as you say, because it is so very personal - as any MB will be able to attest to. You're letting someone into your home, trusting them to care for and love your children, and the unexpected loss of a nanny elicits more of an emotional response than the resignation of your secretary. Some parents can get very out of sorts quite unexpectedly, and nannies are wise to do all they can to keep up-to-date references available should they need them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I would not write a seasonal reference for a nanny. You get one written reference, at the end of employment, just like any other professional. I'll happily do yearly written performance reviews, but no letters of recommendation until the end, when I would also be happy to give a phone reference as well.

Thankfully, our nanny doesn't spend her time thinking I'm going to go nuts on her when she gives notice. I can't imagine hiring someone who would have such a low opinion of me or our family.

I asked her what she thought about this thread and she said the nannies here must already be very unhappy in their jobs. I think she has a point.

She's a mb who'd try to hold the Nanny hostage. Never trust anyone like that.

Anonymous wrote:MB here. I would not write a seasonal reference for a nanny. You get one written reference, at the end of employment, just like any other professional. I'll happily do yearly written performance reviews, but no letters of recommendation until the end, when I would also be happy to give a phone reference as well.

Thankfully, our nanny doesn't spend her time thinking I'm going to go nuts on her when she gives notice. I can't imagine hiring someone who would have such a low opinion of me or our family.

I asked her what she thought about this thread and she said the nannies here must already be very unhappy in their jobs. I think she has a point.

Anonymous wrote:I've now hired three nannies. I have yet to have one I was serious about who couldn't provide positive references. But, if you're leaving a job voluntarily, and looking for a new one in the same town, it implies there was a problem with the old job to begin with, right? The bad blood isn't just going one way.