I moved to NYC from the Midwest to work as a live-in nanny. I have a 4 year degree in early education. I was flown out to Chicago for an interview to meet the mother who was there on business. I accepted a position making $550 a week, living in. Once moved in, I realized how many hours I was expected to work. I also realized that my skills, age, physical fitness and more make me a desirable candidate and that making $550 a week is laughable. If I quit my job, the nanny agency has to refund the fee to the family. If I quit before 60 days, it is 50% refund and after 60 days it is a replacement only. My question is this, and I want real responses. I feel that I can make almost double what I am making now and perhaps even get a better gig with more perks, etc. Why is it okay for a sales representative to leave one company for a company that will pay them more or provide them better perks, but if I even suggest this, I am a horrible person who doesn't care about children. That is the sentiment I am getting. I spent Sunday interviewing by phone, pre interviewing with a personal assistant and meeting with a more elite nanny agency. Without even using the current family as references, I have great opportunities. I have met two nannies in the same building, one is a live out from Trinidad and one is a live in from Cambodia. The Cambodian Nanny makes $600 a week live-in and she does not even have a green card. I speak three languages, swim, dance, tutor, drive, scuba dive and as stated have a degree. Assuage the guilt I feel for wanting a better opportunity for myself.*If I stay less than my year contract, I have to reimburse the employers for the price of a ticket. I am willing to do that.
Change jobs. In the end, you'll resent the job and the child(ren). My first (and only) live-in job was $500/week, and I was working almost 80 hours a week. I got Sundays off and one Saturday a month. I also have a degree, but I also had professional childcare experience before that. You are worth more than that. There is no shame in looking for a better job. And if I were you, I'd look for a different agency. They should be looking out for your best net rest, and it doesn't sound like they are. Make sure you're getting benefits as well. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou don't owe them anything. Best you believe the employer knew she was getting a stone cold deal. Screw her and the airfare you flew in on.
ReplyDeleteThat's NYC. Non-English speaking nannies are desirable. I'll never forget my first Soho job. I met the mom and the first thing she said to me was "I usually hire Mexicans." Ummm, I have a college degree and speak zero Spanish. She hired me, but the amount of money I made should have been double for the crap I dealt with. I knew the job was only for a few months and we parted our ways.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, nanny employers often think that you should be paying them because their children are so wonderful. It's depressing and frustrating. Quitting a nanny job can be very similar to leaving an abusive spouse. Seriously. Mom bosses get vindictive and mean when they lose a good nanny.
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