tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post4040290014240331616..comments2024-03-19T03:27:24.068-04:00Comments on I SAW YOUR NANNY: Burnt Out Nanny - UpdateLeigh Raymerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210572527823459842noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-26681337451111161722010-03-11T10:13:44.851-05:002010-03-11T10:13:44.851-05:00Carol,
I'm sure you're being facetious, o...Carol,<br /><br />I'm sure you're being facetious, otherwise that would be a really good way for OP to get immediately fired.MissMannahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-51746379368337412712010-03-10T18:22:08.544-05:002010-03-10T18:22:08.544-05:00You are not playing with the child when they are a...You are not playing with the child when they are asleep BUT you are still CARING for the child. <br /><br />at 7pm Hire a babysitter and leave the house until 10. let the parents know that I didn't know you would have to pay. after all isn't the child asleep? <br /><br />If they don't want to pay you after 7 then they need to be home.Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-81959118220533524112010-03-09T14:28:50.998-05:002010-03-09T14:28:50.998-05:00The father "helps" with the kids? What ...The father "helps" with the kids? What the hell happened to the father parenting his own children. Why would he ever be considered as assisting the nanny? Or assisting the mother, for that matter.<br /><br />These people are ridiculous. Hope you can hold out to the end of the month. I'm fed up with them already and I'm not even there!Be A Parent!!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-48341790489040009922010-03-09T09:18:47.837-05:002010-03-09T09:18:47.837-05:00Dear OP:
I applaud you for maintaining your profe...Dear OP:<br /><br />I applaud you for maintaining your professionalism under difficult circumstances.<br /><br />A more vindictive response on your part (to leave in the middle of the night or take the family to court) might be tempting, but would likely hurt you more than them in the long run.<br /><br />Use the "end of the month" time frame to your advantage - do everything you can right now to secure a better job with a more considerate family. That will be the most satisfying outcome you can hope for. Good luck to you.Nanny Services Guidehttp://www.nannyservicesguide.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-32046383917982682732010-03-09T00:54:23.473-05:002010-03-09T00:54:23.473-05:00Jeez! Do they also dock you for the times the kids...Jeez! Do they also dock you for the times the kids are napping? You know, since they're sleeping and all...<br /><br />It's ridiculous. I currently work a night job where I drop by a family friend's house for only an hour and a half from 11pm-12am because she works 2nd and her husband works 3rd. Even though it's a hassle to go for such a short time, at least they understand that they can't just leave the baby in the house alone. <br /><br />And I am paid well for that hour and half! <br /><br />Good luck OP, and get out.NervousNannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-41844256252771541442010-03-07T16:06:53.588-05:002010-03-07T16:06:53.588-05:00Dear OP,
I am really sorry you have to deal with ...Dear OP,<br /><br />I am really sorry you have to deal with this. <br /><br />I hope you find a new job with employers who will respect you. I would never treat someone like this. They are being really mean, offering to buy you a treadmill. Exactly what are they implying? As if taking care of their kids all day is not enough exercise. I do wish you guy luck. Persevere, and you will find employers you can trust.<br /><br />P.S. I hope you can find peace with the children before you leave.Nannycams4evernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-78872825003711466352010-03-06T01:06:19.774-05:002010-03-06T01:06:19.774-05:00Ugh! I'm seriously to the point where I just c...Ugh! I'm seriously to the point where I just can't stand people anymore. I thought getting out of the nanny business and into teaching would be better... no such luck. I hate parents even more (not all parents mind you... just the ones who warrant my deepest hatred).<br /><br />I would seriously stop letting the children go to bed at 7:00. I know, more 'work' for you, but then at least when the parents get home you can say, oh, well I'm working so now you owe me.<br /><br />And to the people who were having trouble getting what is going on here -- momkat had a good analogy with the 'on call' thing, except, you're not on call at all... you're straight up still at the office. <br /><br />It would be like your boss calling you at 5 pm in the evening and saying "Well you're techinically no longer on the clock so you won't be getting paid for this, but I absolutely forbid you from leaving the building for the next 2 hours because the printer repair guy is coming and someone has to be there to let him in... and you know I would come, but I have to have dinner with my wife."<br /><br />No way.<br /><br />If those children are under your care, meaning you cannot leave the house without them being by themselves, then you should be getting paid for it!<br /><br />Another idea would be to tell them that you won't charge them for being a nanny after 7 pm, but you're going to start charging them for babysitting.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17378832548853576521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-36706797411445425492010-03-05T21:08:24.259-05:002010-03-05T21:08:24.259-05:00I am on the books. I am starting to work 4 days ne...I am on the books. I am starting to work 4 days next week, the parents want to work this out with me. the father is at home, when I started the job last july, he was supposed to start a job and that fell through, so starting next fall he will be working out of state for 3 days out of the week, the they want me to work m-f and I will be able to leave 9 am on friday and I will get paid for the whole week, I asked why not do this now, and the mom told me that her husband helps with the kids so in the fall I will be paid for a whole week because her husband won't be around so it will be more work for me. I took the job believing the dad would be working, so now he is helping me, I didn't expect this when I took the job, these people just twist everything to their benefit, I have never dealt with such bullshit! so anyway, at the end of the month we are going to discuss if I still wanted to keep the job and my answer will be no! this morning the dad told me that if I really wanted to stay, they would buy a new treadmill for me to use, they know I am done and I can't wait till the end of the month!original posternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-59718006806445042072010-03-05T12:53:40.530-05:002010-03-05T12:53:40.530-05:00The problem is the only people who don't under...The problem is the only people who don't understand that she's being asked to work past 7:00AM for no pay are the people who are paying her. Their definition of "not working" is different than most people's. It would be like my boss saying to me that I'm not working after 5:00PM, but I always have to be directly available after 5:00PM to immeidately come into the office at a moment's notice. If that was the case, I couldn't go out to dinner, go to a movie, or even sleep without being immediately "on call." But not getting paid for being on call.Momkatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-40958064934135602952010-03-05T10:52:14.818-05:002010-03-05T10:52:14.818-05:00Yes, I made mistakes when I was just starting out....Yes, I made mistakes when I was just starting out. I don't anymore. You have to expect the unexpected BEFORE you start working. My current contract has a ton of seemingly unnecessary details in it. If OP's scheduled hours are specifically stated as 7am-7pm, then she shouldn't have anything to worry about. She shouldn't be expected to be paid after 7, just like the employers shouldn't expect her to remain in their house after 7. I thought the issue here was nanny not being paid for hours worked, not nanny having to work extra hours.ContractsMakeLifeEasiernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-56901780287539451132010-03-05T10:30:53.861-05:002010-03-05T10:30:53.861-05:00Contracts, this is her first live-in position. Don...Contracts, this is her first live-in position. Don't you ever make mistakes?oh wellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-5508553062953365552010-03-05T10:02:38.487-05:002010-03-05T10:02:38.487-05:00She has a contract that says she's working fro...She has a contract that says she's working from 7AM to 7PM. She probably always worked for reasonable people in the past, and never had the need to spell out that she doesn't work for free when the kids are asleep. Don't attack the OP. She's working for crazy people...and just needs the support and impetus to get out. And it's a shame that going forward she'll need to somehow specify to new employers that she doesn't work for free when the kids are asleep. Most reasonable people know that without needing that to be spelled out in a contract. I guess the appropriate wording is that after X time she is off, and is free to come and go as she wishes. And if she's needed for additional hours after X time, she's paid $X.Momkatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-37860686675295094472010-03-04T20:08:18.437-05:002010-03-04T20:08:18.437-05:00OP, if you've been doing this for 20 years, sh...OP, if you've been doing this for 20 years, shouldn't you know by now to get a very specific contract written out? In your other posts, I had assumed you were a newer nanny and needed some guidance. But now I really don't feel sorry for you, because you should have known better from the beginning. The only way someone can take advantage of you is if you let them.<br /><br />Harsh, but needed to be said.ContractsAreYourFriends!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-53675579296833097192010-03-04T20:01:53.499-05:002010-03-04T20:01:53.499-05:00NYC Mom:
BRAVO! If I am correct, Breedlove and As...NYC Mom:<br /><br />BRAVO! If I am correct, Breedlove and Associates, who specialize in nanny/household employee/domestic worker taxes, clearly state on their website that if any employee in tha domestic sector, such as nannies, housekeepers, etc. earn over x amount of dollars per month, they are advised to file federal, state and local taxes. In addition, it clearly states families and individuals who employ these people in their private home are to take out the above mentioned taxes. There is a list of reasons as to why this must done on the website. In past interviews, I would casually mention taxes to gauge the family's reaction-many times I was met with a look of disinterest. Do families not understand what can happen to them legally if they are not following laws? <br /><br />OP: This is what I would do. If you are not being paid on the books, contact an employment lawyer ASAP. Tell them what you told us and don't leave anything out. If you do end up taking your employers to court, I hope you find a new family who will treat you like platinum. This family isn't for you. They are "delightful, considerate" people with Oscar the Grouch personalities and the common sense of shaving cream and jelly beans.MissDeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-75048738729127858582010-03-04T18:16:47.046-05:002010-03-04T18:16:47.046-05:00Good point NYC mom!! And OP, even if you agreed to...Good point NYC mom!! And OP, even if you agreed to what you understood to be the contract, any illegal item in the contract is null and void and you are NOT required to honor it. In other words, if they tricked you into "agreeing" to work 2 hours every day for NO PAY, it's their tough shit, that's an illegal requirement and they certainly DO owe you for all the on-duty hours they are refusing to pay you for. No judge is going to say "oh well, if the kids were asleep, then of course you were off duty and shouldn't be paid". No, if a caregiver leaves the house while children are there, it is NEGLECT and they can be arrested and have the kids taken away from them. Your employers are counting on you to bend over and smile why they keep screwing you. Don't let them.cali momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-2531857687387836962010-03-04T17:25:20.570-05:002010-03-04T17:25:20.570-05:00I usually say if a nanny has been paid off the boo...I usually say if a nanny has been paid off the books then alerting the IRS isn't worth it because the tax burden on the nanny, while less overall, will be proportionally more damaging than the employer's back taxes. This presumes the employers have a greater financial reserve and can pay the back taxes. However, in a case like this - where your employers are attorneys - they have MUCH more to lose than you do. They can be disbarred or professionally damaged significantly. This is why lawyers (alone with high profile folks) tend to always pay on the books. If they have been paying off the books, then OP you have the biggest bargaining chip you could imagine. <br /><br />Seriously, raise this issue and you will get any and all back money you are owed, and can negotiate a glowing written reference. No attorney would risk this getting out. And while I normally advocate remaining professional (for both sides) regardless of the other's actions, I think your circumstances warrant extreme action.nyc momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-61952374033741093682010-03-04T15:18:54.020-05:002010-03-04T15:18:54.020-05:00i had a situation somewhat similar to this... form...i had a situation somewhat similar to this... former boss would ask me to do things such as chip ice off and shovel the front and back stairs, stay at the house for upwards of 4 hours waiting for packages to be delivered, waiting for repairmen, exterminators etc... all while the kids were in school. She didn´t pay me for my time and at first was angry when i brought it up, but luckily she was a lot more reasonable than your family is now and stopped asking me for these favors... <br /><br />I´m glad you confronted your bosses and I definitely think you should get out soon... <br /><br />Good luck!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313003219248936347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-77857077815078335872010-03-04T09:22:39.575-05:002010-03-04T09:22:39.575-05:00I know this sounds awful, but wake the kids up by ...I know this sounds awful, but wake the kids up by being loud...then when they wake up, call the parents and tell them they have to deal with it...you're not working after 7:00PM. And what the heck would they do if you needed to leave the house at 7:00PM. Did you ask them that? What could their answer possibly be?Momkatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-37868037591982129342010-03-04T09:20:48.037-05:002010-03-04T09:20:48.037-05:00Quit...NOW!!!!! Those parents are awful!Quit...NOW!!!!! Those parents are awful!Momkatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-81913372116055856702010-03-04T08:36:23.218-05:002010-03-04T08:36:23.218-05:00I would hope you have been claiming your income, b...I would hope you have been claiming your income, because if you have not, taking them to small claims court would be more trouble than it is worth. <br /><br />If you have been claiming your income, by all means leave leave leave!!! Go! For the sake of your own mental health, go! <br /><br />As far as the posters who are saying "it's your own fault" well, bahh. Maybe so but that's a moot point: one thing that is NOT your fault is that these people are losers. <br /><br />Get out, sweetheart. You are worth so much more.dadiswrongonthisonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-8663555335648099452010-03-04T07:48:50.436-05:002010-03-04T07:48:50.436-05:00Wait.... before you take them to small claims cour...Wait.... before you take them to small claims court, have you been paying taxes? Because if not, taking them to court could blow up in your face. I mean, they'd have to pay too, but it might break your bank.<br /><br />I find it appalling that your bosses are treating you this way. I am so sorry.chgonannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-53685280121031953472010-03-03T22:24:40.056-05:002010-03-03T22:24:40.056-05:00I agree with calimom on both ideas, leave in the m...I agree with calimom on both ideas, leave in the middle of the night and take them to small claims court. It doesn't matter that they are both lawyers. Just tell your lawyer everything that has happened and they'll take care of you. Try to throw it in there that they have to pay your legal fees too since they've been leaving you high and dry on so much else.<br />They've been screwing you, time to nail them back!<br />And keep us updated!! I'm furious at them for you!About the authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16808534122727852412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-58723558629024657622010-03-03T21:31:59.151-05:002010-03-03T21:31:59.151-05:00I am 100% serious about this. You owe them *****NO...I am 100% serious about this. You owe them *****NOTHING***** and they owe you for a great many work hours. Time to get sweet revenge, if you can afford it.cali momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-85372380043625508072010-03-03T21:30:23.186-05:002010-03-03T21:30:23.186-05:00OP, if you don't need them for a reference, an...OP, if you don't need them for a reference, and you can hang on a bit finanncialyl, then LEAVE in the middle of the night, then take them to small claims court for all the time they are trying to claim they doon't have to pay you for.cali momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32916951.post-62793601318369777892010-03-03T20:26:13.426-05:002010-03-03T20:26:13.426-05:00I am looking for another job as I type, the dad we...I am looking for another job as I type, the dad went off his rocker monday when we were having a talk about the contract, he mentioned as did the mom about 7-7 being 60 hours,because the kids were asleep. I realized that there is no getting through to these people, they are cheap and they don't get it, oh they are both attorneys. I was nickled and dimed when I first took the job, in all my 20 years experience as a nanny, these are the worst people to deal with and the agencey I got the job through is useless! I am sure I have a good case for the labor board, I feel really bad right now and I don't even want to look at them in the face I am so discusted by them, how do you take advantage of a nanny and look her in the face everyday? anyway I am still tired and words can not explain how pissed of I am, I hope a find a good family soon. I might just quit, I don't need them for a referance.original posternoreply@blogger.com