Anonymous wrote:I realize the OP is now years old, but I don't know of an AP agency that doesn't run a background check. All members of the household over 18 have to have a background check - we got it before we were approved to even match with our AP.

Are you saying it's a legal requirement?

I realize the OP is now years old, but I don't know of an AP agency that doesn't run a background check. All members of the household over 18 have to have a background check - we got it before we were approved to even match with our AP.

I agree with the above poster. I doubt these parents would think it was such a great idea if their own kid (even of adult age) would go into the private residence of complete strangers, without a few references first.

It is ridiculous for you to request a background check for your nanny, but refuse and possibly pass up a good employee because they are worried about their safety. I would hope the nanny would pass on your opportunity, because it would come off suspicious that you refuse.

NP here.

I would have no problem providing the contact info of my previous nanny as a reference for any new nanny candidate.

But I would not submit to a background check. I'm the employer, not the employee, and it is for me to ensure the safety of my child, which is why a background is necessary.

A live out nanny would have so little contact with me that a background check is silly. However, if she were a live in nanny, I'd likely be open to background check as she would have a reasonable concern about her safety in my home.

I don't employ a live in so, no, I would not agree to a background check and would happily pass on a nanny candidate who expected it.

Anonymous wrote:If a nanny asked to do a background check on me/my family I would be taken aback. I would assume she had some nightmarish prior experience.

I wouldn't have a problem with anyone running a background check on me (at his/her own cost of course) but it would seem unusual.

What about at least offering a few references?

If a nanny asked to do a background check on me/my family I would be taken aback. I would assume she had some nightmarish prior experience.

I wouldn't have a problem with anyone running a background check on me (at his/her own cost of course) but it would seem unusual.

Anonymous wrote:It is inappropriate for an employee to request a background check on an employer.

No, it's completely appropriate in fact. Concern for the nanny's safety is as valid as concern for the child's safety.

You should at least offer the nanny a few references for yourself and your spouse.

Anonymous wrote:It is inappropriate for an employee to request a background check on an employer.

You must have something to hide.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another reason why State Dept. should shut down the Au Pair program.

What are the primary reasons?

Indentured servitude, not covered by US labor laws, underpaid, overworked.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is inappropriate for an employee to request a background check on an employer.

Why? Should she be responsible and care about her own safety in the home of complete strangers?

Shouldn't

Anonymous wrote:It is inappropriate for an employee to request a background check on an employer.

Why? Should she be responsible and care about her own safety in the home of complete strangers?

It is inappropriate for an employee to request a background check on an employer.

Rarely, does anyone care about the nanny. They protect the families, but not the nanny.

You see stories about abusive nannies in the media but not the nannies and au pairs who go to homes and get sexually assaulted and raped.

Anonymous wrote:14:21 A background check can provide relevant info for a live out nanny. If you or your husband have a record that show that either of you are sexual offenders, have domestic violence or assault charges, etc. I wouldn't want to work for you and other nannies wouldn't want to either. So if you don't need a background check as an employer then the nanny shouldn't need one either. Sounds messed up to say that the parents shouldn't need a background check performed on them unless nanny is living with them. Just because she doesn't live with them doesn't mean they couldn't do something bad to her.

This.