Anonymous
Post 06/17/2023 19:26     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Anonymous wrote:Hello and happy New Year to all!

So, I have been interviewing for jobs recently because some lifestyle changes will mean my NF can no longer keep me on full time, which I need. I recently interviewed for a position that seems tempting. It pays really well, provides great benefits, the kids seem great, and the family seems good. The only issue is that it's a somewhat...different environment than I'm used to working in. It's a very wealthy family who have other staff working in the home including housekeepers and a chef. And, here's the thing: they require all staff, including me if I take the job, to wear uniforms and the other staff refer to DB and MB as Mr. and Mrs. So and So. They refer to it as a "formal home." This all seems very strange and alien to me, but again, it does pay very well. Is this a deal breaker or too weird or would you consider it?


You are considered "the Help" and I would pass.
Anonymous
Post 06/06/2023 19:44     Subject: Re:"formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Hey, I thought the title of this post looked familiar! I am the OP. I'm still working for this family. Really glad I took the job.
Anonymous
Post 06/04/2023 21:52     Subject: Re:"formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Honestly, uniforms aren't that bad. I wore one when I worked in a staffed home a few years ago. Once you get over your initial aversion to the idea of wearing one the reality isn't actually that bad for the reasons people mentioned above. The same goes for the Mr. and Mrs. thing. Once you get over your aversion to the symbolism of it, it's fine. I actually still miss that job and would still be doing it if my husband and I hadn't moved to pursue a career opportunity for him.



What did the uniform look like ?


White collared shirt and black pants or skirt.




What?
A SKIRT for working as a Nanny....??!
This sounds too formal as well as hideously impractical.


I wear an ankle-length skirt everyday... It's not impractical at all.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 22:10     Subject: Re:"formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Anonymous wrote:This sounds like the musical Annie. Ridiculous.

I’d skip it. Demand is high for experienced nannies right now. You can find a well-paying job without having to work in a starched pinafore for the self-proclaimed Lord and Lady of the Manor.


Ugh, just saw this is from 2019. WHY do people resurrect zombie threads?
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 22:07     Subject: Re:"formal" home: how you would feel about it?
This sounds like the musical Annie. Ridiculous.

I’d skip it. Demand is high for experienced nannies right now. You can find a well-paying job without having to work in a starched pinafore for the self-proclaimed Lord and Lady of the Manor.
Anonymous
Post 05/23/2023 13:57     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
OP come back and update us on this job!
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2019 17:26     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
The nice thing about OP’s job is there will probably be very little job creep with a housekeeper and chef handling cleaning and meals. In fact, she will not have to do her charge’s laundry after the baby stage.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2019 17:22     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Congratulations, OP! I wish you success in your new position.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2019 16:24     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
I’ve worked in a fully staffed house where I was paid very well with good benefits. Didn’t have to wear a uniform and no real dress code. Called the parents by their first name. They were very nice and down to earth.

Still quit because it was too much for me. I was one of five nannies and didn’t have much agency or autonomy.

No way would I accept a position where I had to refer to my employers as Sir or Mrs. unless they also referred to me as Mrs. I’m not here to make wealthy people feel even more superior. I’m not about that classism life.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2019 09:19     Subject: "formal" home: how you would feel about it?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What did you decide, OP?


Op here.

Yes, I did accept it today! I didn't actually ask to speak to the previous nanny (I know, I know), but it felt like the right move. If it isn't a good fit I can always move on.


Also,

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you report to a household manager or the parents?


They do have a House Manager, but I report directly to the parents because they say they don't want another intermediary between them and their kids. Most of the other staff (the housekeepers and the chef) report to that person. I think the PA might also report directly to the parents, but I'm not 100% sure how it works yet.


That's great! Congrats! I think there can be a lot of benefits to working in a more formal environment where you're NOT a member of the family. Are you starting soon?