I'm kind of new in the nanny field, I've been working with this family for almost two years.
Last summer they took 15 day vacation; I took mine as well the same time ( unpaid) I thought that was ok because I had less than a year working with them they didn't need to pay for my vacation time???? As I said, I'm new in this field.
This summer they are leaving for a couple of days and since I won't be "working" they will not pay me those days.
My economic situation is different now, and for me, I see every work day in money numbers. I'm a single mom and I'm cover all my expenses.
Talking with other nannies I realized they all get paid when their families go on vacation short or long ones.
I don't know how to approach my bosses, I'm 100% they will not pay for those days; but I want to be clear I'm not happy with this situation.
Thank you for your help!
19 comments:
I always get paid when my NF cancels/goes on vacation. It's a standard benefit for nannies. This is how families guarantee the nanny will be available when they return. Day cares do this too. You pay all the time. Not just when your child goes. Tell them that you need pay while they're gone. You cannot afford to go without pay. They know they need to provide pay. It shouldn't shock them. Hate cheap families!!
I strongly disagree with the above poster. It is not standard to pay for that time. Some families pay some do not, you need to have an agreement. Our last nanny had paid vacations, per an agreement we made before she started.
I made it clear to my current nanny that I do not pay for vacation, mine or hers. She agreed to this. Bottom line- I pay her well and if she didn't like this agreement, she is not forced to stay. She benefits in other ways- for instance I let her bring her special needs son with her whenever she needs to and she can do her laundry at our house when she does ours.
If I was a nanny, I would never assume that I would be paid for a vacation, that is ridiculous.
Paid vacation is NOT standard. If you weren't paid before you won't be this time.
If you guys don't paid, say that. But I've been a nanny for 14 years. I work 47 hours per week. I get overtime + I'm guaranteed 30 hours whether they use me to or not. So if they go on vacation, if they stay home from work or if grandparents come to town and want to visit, I STILL get paid. I don't know any nanny in my area who doesn't get some number of guaranteed hours. Otherwise, how could you live. I would never scramble around for work because my family takes a week's vacation. I had one family hesitate but I explained that that's how I plan my life and how they avoid rushing to get care when they come back. As pp said day care centers charge whether children attend or not. Even if notified in advance, it's hard to find work for a week or so. Plus I won't do it. If they want me for the duration of contract, they pay whether they use me or not.
I feel that some of the PPs are upset to find that THEY too should be paid for parents vacation. I can only speak to my experience. It is standard in my area.
OP, this family may not want to give you something they've avoided doing from the beginning, but ask AND be prepared to look elsewhere for work. It's not fair to you to go without pay when they cancel.
Nina you're a horrible boss! You clearly don't respect your nanny. I'd not work for a cheapskate like you no matter how "well" you paid. Professional nannies get paid vacation. In an office, you don't lose money when your boss goes on vacation because you can still work. As a nanny, you cannot work if your charge goes on vacation. Nanny shouldn't lose money for your decision. Your attitude sucks and you should consider being gracious, generous and considerate with the person caring for your children.
you may not be able to get it this time, but - have a talk with them saying exactly what you have said here - that it's virtually standard to pay for an employees vacation and NEXT time you will expect it - maybe they can give you things to do while they are gone ;)
One of my nanny friend's gets projects to do while parents go on vacation. They're too cheap- IMO- to pay her and let her be off, but they have her organize the kids' closets, rotate out Winter/Summer clothes, update their arts and crafts supplies, make batches of kid friendly freezer food, upgrade memberships to Museums etc... Basically a project for every day they're gone. It works for her, she works at her own speed, listens to music and still gets paid. This may be a workable solution for you, OP.
I so believe that families who won't pay when they cancel a work day or week should pay their nanny. There are a lot of cheapskate families. In the future, get this in your contract. Otherwise, raise your rate enough to make it a decent yearly salary.
Cheap families are all nannies nightmare.
For the posters who say it's normal not to pay, don't, just don't...
This is my CAREER, when a family goes on vacation, guess what? MY BILLS don't... Amazing fact isn't it?
Finding work to replace the vacation that you CHOSE and are PAID FOR is a freaking hassle and stress to finding out weather or not I'll be able to eat and pay the rent just because I'm working for a cheapskate family.
And if I don't , all of my savings(if I'm lucky enough to be able to do so) will vanish during those unpaid time off resulting on me living from paycheck to paycheck and any unplanned bills will have disastrous consequences.
Now that I think about it some families like that as it's allow them to have more"control" of the nanny.
NO THANK YOU... And for your info , nannies are meant to be on the books which means she is ENTITLED to paid holidays. I don't know how many weeks in the U.S but in the U.K it's 4 weeks per year.
Gahh!!! cheap people who don't care about the well being of the person who look after what is supposed to be their most prized possession is beyond me!! To pay 4 weeks salary to your employee a year is too much but you would most likely don't bat an eye on spending a 5000 on a pair of Prada shoes!
If you can't afford a Nanny don't get one for god sake ! Go to daycare instead ! Oh but wait, they charge as well when you go away ;) too bad isn't it?
Thankfully, after experiencing cheap families in my early work experience, I can now detect them very quickly and just refuse to work for them from the start.
To Nannies: PLEASE make sure you protect yourself and what your entitled to BEFORE starting the position. If cheap families or the "taking advantage of" type see that you have poor negotiating skills and don't know your rights , they are going to eat you raw and scam you ! Leaving you miserable and resentful which will have indirectly a negative effect on the kids your caring for as a result of that.
They are genuinely good families out there though let's not loose hope! I work for 1 ;)
But as a person said in another rant, NANNIES that are accepting such bad positions are putting down wages and benefit for all of us to the point that even the most basics needs that we should considered normal and be entitled to are at threat.
TO OP: if I were you I wouldn't tell them anything and find a new job while they are away. Then wait until it's like 2 days from their return and then text tem ( don't bother to call) and let them know that you have found a position that suits your needs and that you can't return since they left you without incomes for days or weeks.
Then you will enjoy their panic when they realised they no longer have the care they can trust and they will have to go through the hiring process again.You know, the same kind of panic they've put you into when they told you that you won't get a dime while they were going away? That kind of panic ;)
I know it's a little bit cruel but trust me being cheap is kind of a pattern and in order to cure it , they will need to learn the HARD WAY and redefine their priority. Of course they would be angry at you but it's less likely they will do the same to the next nanny.
They will probably carry on paying her so she doesn't look for work somewhere else !
Good luck :D Keep us uptated !!
^^^^!!!
I hate to admit it, but I did what anonymous two posts up said. I worked for this family for 8 months when I first started nannying. So 7 yrs ago or so. Anyway, I had been told by my nanny friends in the park that working for an hourly wage plus overtime is better for a nanny than just straight salary. Which I still agree with because I have found it to be true. Anyway, the other nannies neglected to mention asking for pay when family cancels/goes away for vacation.
The family I was with took two vacations during that 8 or 9 months plus ILs came up to visit once for 10 days. All of which went unpaid. The third time they announced intentions to go to a wedding I told them that the previous breaks left me in uncomfortable circumstances. MB said that they have a nanny so they can have personalized care and don't see paying me to 'sit at home'. I expressed my dissatisfaction and left.
While they were gone, I searched for another family. Received another offer + benefits including paid vacations and pay when family cancels. We signed a contract, had a trial day and everything was swell. I waited till the family was flying home to let them know I was leaving effective immediately. Mom called me in a panic that night. I told her that while they were a nice family, I couldn't work with the constant loss in pay. She offered to pay for the most recent trip if I'd come back, but I politely declined.
Honestly, I only feel slightly bad about it. They didn't care about my financial well fare. I have since learned to be my best advocate. I vet families really well now. Cheap families reveal themselves quickly if you know what to listen for.
And you did a great job !
You showed your previous family the same amount of consideration they showed toward you. It's totally fair game ;)
You understood that it was best for you to end this arrangement rather than being frustrated and resentful.
Don't feel bad about that, they deserved it and as you stated, the lesson worked for the family as they understood that in order to keep a good Nanny for years , they have to give consistancy. I'm sure that after your departure they did cover their new nanny's holiday ;)
Glad you stood up for yourself !!
Thank you. It's hard as a nanny to take emotions out of the equation and think only in business terms. But as someone said upthread, rent is still due. Parents do have to be aware that inconsideration leaves them open to high nanny turn over.
I totally agree!!! Thumbs up!
Paid vacation is standard for nannies who have employers that are decent human beings. :)
Yes IT IS !!! It's stingy people like you that mistakenly think it's not and end up having their nannies quit one after another !!
This x a million!
It is standard. Sorry you found out this way, Jen. Now go ask your employer to pay it
I am going through that situation now. My family just left for seven days. I only found out about it because I saw their flight itinerary laying on the counter. When were they going to tell me? They also left me strapped for a week but said I could make it up pet sitting their dog. So I did then they tried to lower the paid amount agreed upon..Really?? They said they couldn't afford to pay me but they could afford a $10,000 dollar vacation. They can afford 2 BMW'S sitting in the garage and renovations on their house. Sorry folks, I'm not buying what you're selling. They think I'm being ridiculous expecting to be paid oh while they told me I wouldn't be paid the next two holidays Christmas and New Year because they land on Fri. That's OK because from here out you won't have to pay me at all. Hope they learn fast because no one will stick around for long with these cheap skates
I am going through that situation now. My family just left for seven days. I only found out about it because I saw their flight itinerary laying on the counter. When were they going to tell me? They also left me strapped for a week but said I could make it up pet sitting their dog. So I did then they tried to lower the paid amount agreed upon..Really?? They said they couldn't afford to pay me but they could afford a $10,000 dollar vacation. They can afford 2 BMW'S sitting in the garage and renovations on their house. Sorry folks, I'm not buying what you're selling. They think I'm being ridiculous expecting to be paid oh while they told me I wouldn't be paid the next two holidays Christmas and New Year because they land on Fri. That's OK because from here out you won't have to pay me at all. Hope they learn fast because no one will stick around for long with these cheap skates
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