Received Monday, April 7, 2008- Perspective & Opinion
Hello all of ISYN, I'm writing to get your opinion on a situation I am facing. I am currently a live in nanny for a family with 2 toddlers. I have been with this family going on 4 years now. While working 55+ hours a week with them I also attend school in the evenings and weekends to get my degree in teaching. I am due for a contract renewal and raise in August and I am having doubts and I need some advice on how you as employers of nannies and nannies themselves would handle it.
In the next year and a half my education costs will be greatly increased, including the time when I have to student teach and will no longer be able to hold my job (they know this), but I have not had a raise in 2 years since my last raise was a significant raise that would have covered any raises as it was. Is it to much to ask for an extra 100 a week for a total of 10 an hour? I'm not looking to increase my hours, my job requirements or anything like that. (I also do all cooking, all laundry, and basically am a household manager)
I also am going to need significant time off to complete requirements needed for school prior to my semester of student teaching, not to mention that my classes will be starting early at 430 instead of the 630 it is now. And as it stands now, asking for even 2 hours off to attend a Dr's appointment is a major issue, much less them getting home on time the nights I have school.
In the past 2 years I have dealt with a lot from them, including moving, grandparent issues (if that didn't give me away friends, I don't know what else would) and their constant money tightening. I also feel very unappreciated in this job, nothing seems to be good enough and we barely talk about the issues I am sure we both have.
I am unsure what to do from this point, do I bring this all to their attention now and let them make a choice on if it will work for them, or should I wait until august and bring it all to their attention. Mom starts a new job soon so things are already stressful as it is. Ugh, i'm just lost right now.
Help me clarify. Did you say you got a huge raise 2 years ago, and you'd like another one so that you'll be making $10 per hour? Did I read that right? If you aren't making way over $10 per hour right now, I don't know why you would consider staying! For all the work you do, you should be making more like $13-18 depending on where you live.
ReplyDeleteYour problems go deeper than asking for less than two dollars and hour more as a raise. Which is appropriate. Ask for 125.00 so you are able to negotiate down if need be. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat said you don't sound happy at the job and a raise isn't going to change that. Perhaps you should consider giving notice and looking for another job. Also, if you school workload is going to be considerable increased perhaps caring fro children, which is quite stressful, is no longer the right choice for a job. But only you can answer these questions. Again best of luck!
you must live in pisspoor, arkansas because every nanny i know makes $13 or better to start and MOST are illegal. Most make $15 or better.
ReplyDeleteSo everyone is saying for a live in she should get like 600-700 a week. I thought since they dont need to pay rent and other household bills they get paid less..
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need a new job.
ReplyDeleteThe benefits of having a live in:
ReplyDeleteYou can count on them more reasonably
Less inclined to take sick days
No excuse for being late
Hard for them to say no to babysitting late (for extra)
I don't know anyone who uses a live-in to SAVE money. Unless you are talking about those poor people who try and get a nanny on the cheap. They are the same ones who complain that the nanny used 4 slices of bread in one day. Gasp!
In the city, most of the nannies I know make around $900-$1100 a week. I work in the city on the upper west side. I live out and make $25 less per week than my friend who is a live-in. But I would never live in. I don't care how many utility bills she has to pay, she isn't in her own space. She can't have friends come over. She can't jam out to Nelly on the weekends. She can't smoke the ganja or even have a glass of wine. What kind of life is that?
The live of a live in nanny is not for most people.
Sounds like it's time to move on. You want to cut your hours but are going to ask for $100 more a week, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that but you can bet the family won't like it. It sounds like you need to find a job with more flexible hours that pays more hourly and that they need to find a nanny who is not in school.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I'm going to say... this job has been stressing you out for far too long. Years! At some point, you have to take care of yourself. You have to.
ReplyDeleteLike FNG said, even if you got a raise, the issues would still be there. Those parents have walked all over you for too long. You can find a better job that will pay you what you are worth and allow you the time needed to complete your degree. Start looking now! Good luck!
Unfortunately I think it is time that you start looking for a new position. Perhaps a morning job that could accomidate your school schedule in the afternoons. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI join the group in saying it looks like it's time to move on.
ReplyDeleteWhile you might have previously discussed these issues, and while you might deserve a raise, asking for more time off and a raise at the same time won't settle well with anyone, much less the family you're working for from what I hear.
Start looking for a part time nanny position in your area, that way you can start fresh with a family and have the hours that you need for school!
But be sure to leave amicably with your current family- that's an intense reference!
OP here, I do know its time to move on I just face issues with finding a new job position. I will need to move out, buy a new car, find a place to live, and still only be available for only about a year until I start student teaching. I feel I don't have much to offer to a new family.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, my issue is do I bring this to their attention now, with the mom starting a new postion soon? I would really like some employer perspectives on what you would want, either from a corporate world or nanny world. Would you want your employee to speak to you sooner rather than later?
Kate in PA, girl I love ya
I am a little unclear on the circumstance here. Are you planning to ask for more money overall AND less hours? If you are making less than $10.00 per hour, they probably ought to be paying you more anyway.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you are who I think you are, working with the very abusive grandma underfoot all day (am I right?) then there are a lot worse problems than your salary to think about.
You are treated terribly at work. There are other jobs besides nannying that might better suit you as you move on in your schooling. There is likely a career counselor who can help you even with short term employment options while you finish school. And there is probably a list of fabulous jobs available somewhere on campus. Check that out. And the best part is that the people who advertise there know they are getting students, so they are prep[ared to work around your classes. never underestimate the money yu can probably make tutoring and babysitting for people on an hourly basis around your schedule.
Great suggestions, Mom!
ReplyDeleteOP, sooner is better than later. Who knows what other complications may exist for this family at a later time, making it even more difficult for you to get out. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteMaryPP...I've missed you!
ReplyDeleteMOM, Op here, you have me confused with someone else, for if the grandparents actually lived here, I would shoot myself. I have decided I will speak to them in May once MB settles into her new job and give them a few months to find someone else.
ReplyDeleteOK, I was thinking of the person who has the abusive grandma living there and hanging around all day with the extremely spoiled grandchild that she won't allow to be disciplined and the cranky grandpa who can't take the chaos. And they tell her all the time she is wasting her time in school and will never amount to anything. I wish she would find a better job...hint hint if you are reading this. Nobody deserves to be treated that way for any amount of money.
ReplyDeleteMom
ReplyDeleteI know exactly who you are talking about. (MissDee) - I hope she's doing well, too.
I have been gone for 2 wks., thanks for the kind words.
My best friend in the whole world that I had known since I was 13 died of Bulimia. She had been hospitalized many times but the damage was too much and her heart gave out. I am devastated.
Oh MPP, that's awful, and I'm so sorry! :(
ReplyDeleteMaryPP,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend. What a tragic loss of a life.
MPP, I am so sorry to hear about your friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone.
ReplyDelete♥
You deserve more money. Your education has progressed to the point that they are close to employing a TEACHER for goodness sakes. I believe that you need to make your demands in writing and then sit down and discuss them. Trust me, they will have trouble finding someone willing to do everything you are responsible for. Stand up for yourself. Good Luck to you. There are plenty of families that would be willing to have someone with your dedication for a good education and juggling everything you do as an example for their children. They will learn. Stand up for yourself!
ReplyDelete