I work for a family in the Pleasantville/Chappaqua NY area, they are now having their third child. My charges are 3 and 5 (lovely boys I might add). I'm scheduled to work 52 hours crammed into 4 days, most times I'm done early so I work a bit less. I get paid $750 on the books and $225 cash for my OT. It was under what I would ask for two children and a dog as well as chores and driving my own car, but I needed the FT position. Now fast forward 10 months and adding another child I know this is too low (they provided me with a car 2 months ago). Would asking for double my on the books salary ($1500/wk) be an absurd amount to ask for? This would cover my OT and the new baby breaking down to $30/hr.
I don't want to scare my bosses away but they will be asking way more of me and I receive no healthcare, 2 weeks paid vacation (1 that I pick) and zero sick/personal days.
Any input is greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Thank you for taking the time to read/respond!
Personally I think double is a bit much, but I would definitely talk to them about a raise with the new child coming. Not only is it another child but it's a newborn, that's a lot of work! I would ask for around $375 at the most more, but that's just my personal opinion!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think you'd scare them off with that figure. I would definitely talk about a raise though. Not only is there another child, but the responsibilities with a newborn are that much greater!
DeleteYes, I also think that is too much to ask for at one time. With the new baby arriving I would update the contract ( if you have one ) and over maybe a period of year you could reach that amount with periodical raise such as every 3-4 months. Remember they did provide you with a car just a few months ago. I surely would not ask for that large of amount at once. Maybe with the new baby you could agree on less of a work load such as less chores. The most I would maybe ask is for $400 more because @ regular pay you are making $375 per child. And $150 more for overtime. If you get that I would say that is pretty awesome. Let us know what happens.
ReplyDeleteI like this, I can try to present this model to them. I have already made a copy of my contract and amended it for our discussion. I also need to add no compensation was offered for the use of my vehicle. Hindsight being 20/20 I should have, now as of today spent a total of 2k to begin fixing my front end issues that occurred during the 8 months I used my vehicle to transport their children 50-75 miles per week on average. I have a 3 year old of my own who isn't aloud to come with me so providing him with care (56-57 hours split between nursery school and a sitter) isn't cheap. All of these things and my knowledge of the job to date is what brought me to this numerical amount.
DeleteAgreed you don't always see the hindsight 20/20 until after the fact, but I guess you can chalk it up to a lesson learned. I know when you start a new job it can be hard to remember to put everything into your contact or sometimes I feel guilty or maybe somewhat intimidated to ask for more. You said they gave you a car, is that forever car while you are employed or just until your car is fixed? Are they helping you pay for your car to be fixed? Also if you haven't add to your contact weekly gas allowance, oil changes & car repair. Too bad you can't bring your own child. Maybe if they do not agree to the money you see if they will compermise and let you bring your child... That will help with that part of the issue( at least a few days a week)
ReplyDeleteThe car is for use during the work day for work purposes, I drive my own car to and from work. I was planning to bring up the lack of compensation and the repairs during our raise discussion. I unfortunately know they will not allow my little one, it's hard on me, but it's their home and I understand. I don't want to make them sound like horrid people, they aren't, just however not very flexible. My main concern is making the pay worth keeping the position or making arrangements to move on. I just get by and the car repair killed my savings. Your suggestion was to ask for a $400 jump which would be $1225 take home I would have to shoot higher to allow for negotiating, my target would be $1300-$1350 without the dog care.
DeleteI'd ask for $1150-$1250 per week plus .56 cents per mile whenever you drive your personal car, less housework since you'll need more time to care for the baby and medical insurance.
ReplyDeleteWe must also understand where OP is from. Nanny salaries range quite drastically in deferent regions. I think that this is appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI actually live in Stamford which is like 20 minutes from Chappaqua, and I know that for 3 children in this area is it 18.50 an hour. So maybe asking for about 19 or 20 an hour would be reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in Chappaqua. I was paid $20/hr for 1 child. $23 when they had another child. That was 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteFull-time hours? On or off the books? Sorry to pry I'm just still gathering information. Thank you for your response!
Delete]PhiaCCC said...
ReplyDeleteI actually live in Stamford which is like 20 minutes from Chappaqua, and I know that for 3 children in this area is it 18.50 an hour. So maybe asking for about 19 or 20 an hour would be reasonable.
Westchester is not Connecticut. The rates are different, particularly in Chappaqua. I also live 20 minutes from Chappaqua, but in Westchester.