Thursday

...so only awful, short term and lousy employers get parting gifts?

Bernadette Cuxart
     I am resigning from my job and giving them all summer to find a new replacement because we have been together for 9 years. I am resigning to move to Florida with my fiance. I had assumed that they would be giving me a severance type thank you package. They fired the housekeeper two weeks ago after only a month and she got two weeks. I can't ask them what they are giving me but I am looking at renting vs. buying in Florida and it is a really good buyer's market. I wouldnt offend my bosses by expecting something or asking but I have been with them since day 1 with both children. I started when the oldest was 2 weeks old. I called an agency that said that after a long term satisfactory arrangement like this, it is customary to give one week pay for every year. I talked to another agency that says I am not getting anything because I am quitting. Question, so only awful, short term and lousy employers get parting gifts? Is that the general consensus?


15 comments:

Realist said...

You've got to be kidding me. Unless there is something within your contract providing for "parting gifts," how could you possibly expect a severance package when you are the one severing the relationship?

TheyCallMeRed said...

I worked for my first family for 5 years. I took care of the mom when she had cancer. I was a huge part of their lives. I resigned because their kids were getting older and they decided they only needed part time care. They gave me a watch, valued at about $150-200. I didn't get any financial compensation and I wouldn't have expected it.

Stephanie said...

I don't think it's unreasonable to hope for an end of contract gift. It's not severance pay because you weren't fired, but you're quitting for a legitimate purpose. You're moving out of state. If the relationship ends amicably, a gift wouldn't be out of the ordinary.

Nan said...

I worked for a family for one year. Their child was high needs and -by everyone's account - I was the only nanny who was successful with him. At the end, I got Apple products worth well over three thousand dollars. IPad, computer etc... ALL brand new plus bonus two weeks pay. It all really depends on how generous the family is. My motto don't expect any gifts or money. So when I get something I'm always surprised and grateful.

DD said...

Oh hell no. Yes, there is a formula and while it is in bad taste to publically say you expect it, duh, who wouldn't.
I left my job after 4 years to get married. My pay was 900 per week.
They gave me $5,000. when I left AND later sent a very generous wedding gift.

nannyrobot said...

You can't expect severance when you are the one quitting. Severance is for when employers no longer need a particular nanny. "Thanks for all these good years, but we don't need you anymore. Here is two weeks worth of pay in addition to giving you two weeks notice. This should tide you over for a month while you look for a new job." Why should they pay severance when you're the one who decided to quit? It would be nice if they did give you something, but you are in no way entitled to receive it.

nannyrobot said...

You can't expect severance when you are the one quitting. Severance is for when employers no longer need a particular nanny. "Thanks for all these good years, but we don't need you anymore. Here is two weeks worth of pay in addition to giving you two weeks notice. This should tide you over for a month while you look for a new job." Why should they pay severance when you're the one who decided to quit? It would be nice if they did give you something, but you are in no way entitled to receive it.

Gigi said...

I think you may be confused about what severance pay is. That is specific term and it relates to the amount due an employee when an EMPLOYER terminates the relationship. It is very strange that you would expect to receive that.

That being said, the family may do something nice for you when you leave - maybe a nice gift or money. I have a wonderful nanny and while I give her gifts and extra bonus money here and there, I personally would not feel the need to give someone a bonus when they are leaving.

I have left jobs and never expected a chunk of money or a gift.

melissa said...

Agree with most others. Severance is for when you're let go. I was with a family for two years before I left (my husband and I were relocating for his job), and they gave me a bunch of thoughtful gifts and a card. It was generous, and I wouldn't have expected more. Don't expect a huge payout.

Anonymous said...

When I left my family of 2 years to move out of state I received an outdoor table cloth with cloth napkins. When my family of 4 years moved out of state I received a mug that the kids painted at a pottery place. I was heart broken both times.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous - you were heartbroken because you didn't get more?? Are you serious? Wow.

Thirty something said...

I wouldn't give a cash gift to a nanny who was leaving of her own accord. No chance. They'd get a thoughtful gift that the kids and I picked out, that'd be it. Are you going to give them a cash gift for leaving? That sounds just as absurd.

Tiff said...

I think op used serverance pay when she meant parting gift. It's not unusual in my area for the nanny to get a substantial gift and or bonus at the end of her contract - provided the parting wasn't acrimonious.

Anonymous said...

Heartbroken because my gifts were more thoughtful, time consuming, and costly. I spent over 50 hours creating photo books of each year I was with them from all the pictures I had taken and they hadn't necessarily seen yet. I did a Christmas photoshoot with the kids, bought them outfits and set up a backdrop while they were napping and surprised the parents with a photobook of just that and large framed prints. When I moved to a new city where I didn't know anyone, these people were my family, we spent holidays together, vacation, I know all their extended family and spoke with them on a regular basis. They were in my wedding! So yea, when it came time for them to move, in return for being there from day one, spending 4 years raising their children who felt like my own kids, I got a painted mug that they clearly spent less than 10 min on and had used a gift certificate for (one of the boys received it for their bday). After all these years you can say I'm still a little bitter :)

Anonymous said...

After 9 years , even if it's the nanny who quit, I would have given her either a week for every year she has spent with us or a Really nice parting gift. If it was only a couple month with us, then nothing special...