So I've been looking for a nanny position for a few months now, and I interviewed with a family I thought would be perfect. They were out of state, and even though the pay was low, I would only be in charge of 1 child, there was no driving, or cleaning other than laundry so it would be a good job to get some experience and a reference out of. We decided to move forward with everything so they bought a plane ticket and I asked for a contract. When they sent me the contract, it was for longer than we'd agreed, it had me running errands and grocery shopping, and it had me cleaning so much I would be considered more of a housekeeper than a nanny. I attempted to find out why things had changed (but the pay hadn't) and was told that they had misspoken and/or forgotten to tell me. I tried negotiating to something that was mutually agreeable, or what they'd said in the first place, but the family refused to compromise. When I made it clear that I would not be driving on the job (I have little experience driving in the sorts of conditions I would be required to drive in, it wouldn't be safe, and they'd made it clear in the beginning that there would be no driving). They said that's a dealbreaker and asked for me to cover the cost of the plane ticket. I of course said no way. I contacted their states board of labor who made it very clear to both them and me that I was not responsible for the ticket. Ask for a contract and be very careful to read the contract they send, even if you've talked about everything (multiple times) don't assume that what they said is what they're going to put in the contract. Don't be afraid to back out if you can't come to an agreement, you don't want to spend the next year of your life feeling taken advantage of, or have to quit early because the job isn't what you'd been told it would be.
Monday
Still looking but not settling...
Received Monday, January 3, 2011
So I've been looking for a nanny position for a few months now, and I interviewed with a family I thought would be perfect. They were out of state, and even though the pay was low, I would only be in charge of 1 child, there was no driving, or cleaning other than laundry so it would be a good job to get some experience and a reference out of. We decided to move forward with everything so they bought a plane ticket and I asked for a contract. When they sent me the contract, it was for longer than we'd agreed, it had me running errands and grocery shopping, and it had me cleaning so much I would be considered more of a housekeeper than a nanny. I attempted to find out why things had changed (but the pay hadn't) and was told that they had misspoken and/or forgotten to tell me. I tried negotiating to something that was mutually agreeable, or what they'd said in the first place, but the family refused to compromise. When I made it clear that I would not be driving on the job (I have little experience driving in the sorts of conditions I would be required to drive in, it wouldn't be safe, and they'd made it clear in the beginning that there would be no driving). They said that's a dealbreaker and asked for me to cover the cost of the plane ticket. I of course said no way. I contacted their states board of labor who made it very clear to both them and me that I was not responsible for the ticket. Ask for a contract and be very careful to read the contract they send, even if you've talked about everything (multiple times) don't assume that what they said is what they're going to put in the contract. Don't be afraid to back out if you can't come to an agreement, you don't want to spend the next year of your life feeling taken advantage of, or have to quit early because the job isn't what you'd been told it would be.
So I've been looking for a nanny position for a few months now, and I interviewed with a family I thought would be perfect. They were out of state, and even though the pay was low, I would only be in charge of 1 child, there was no driving, or cleaning other than laundry so it would be a good job to get some experience and a reference out of. We decided to move forward with everything so they bought a plane ticket and I asked for a contract. When they sent me the contract, it was for longer than we'd agreed, it had me running errands and grocery shopping, and it had me cleaning so much I would be considered more of a housekeeper than a nanny. I attempted to find out why things had changed (but the pay hadn't) and was told that they had misspoken and/or forgotten to tell me. I tried negotiating to something that was mutually agreeable, or what they'd said in the first place, but the family refused to compromise. When I made it clear that I would not be driving on the job (I have little experience driving in the sorts of conditions I would be required to drive in, it wouldn't be safe, and they'd made it clear in the beginning that there would be no driving). They said that's a dealbreaker and asked for me to cover the cost of the plane ticket. I of course said no way. I contacted their states board of labor who made it very clear to both them and me that I was not responsible for the ticket. Ask for a contract and be very careful to read the contract they send, even if you've talked about everything (multiple times) don't assume that what they said is what they're going to put in the contract. Don't be afraid to back out if you can't come to an agreement, you don't want to spend the next year of your life feeling taken advantage of, or have to quit early because the job isn't what you'd been told it would be.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
People can be so shady!!! I'm glad you were able to avoid the obvious trap they'd laid for you and kudos for not backing down the plane ticket. Keep looking, and good luck!
Obviously, you did quite a few things right here! You asked for the contract, you read it, and you didn't settle for something out of desperation. Good for you and don't give up! :)
Some people really have nerve, don't they?
i agree with the posters who say you are a role model and a teacher for defending yourself.
This is something i seriously do not understand - how people can lie like rugs and not feel it is wrong.
i understand all human lie,make mistakes etc - but premeditated lying intentionally - when i encounter this in business it always shocks me - and this is rampant
good for you kicking their tooshie
What everyone else said. LOL.
I think the fact that they verbally said one thing, then wrote out another thing is a HUGE red flag that this family is very shady. Thank your lucky stars that they didn't compromise...because this situation speaks volumes regarding their characters and you do not want to work with a family who would even consider doing this to their nanny. Their true colors showed up early..lucky for you. Imagine if all of this would have happened had you already flown to another area and living in their house. I feel sorry for the next nanny they hire.
I think they were hoping you weren't going to read it. Which to me makes me think they were hoping you were stupid. Why would they want someone stupid watching their kids? Glad you stood up for yourself so many people don't these days. Good luck on the job hunt!
i have to wonder... where did these people live that you absolutely did not want to be required to drive at all?
hehehe, we agree with the posters who say you are a role model too. ^^
Are you in school? If not you should consider it because being a "CAREER" nanny is not a good choice. I have made mention of this before, it is not a mentally stimulating job, you don't advance yourself you basically do the same thing at every job and you have nothing to show for your efforts.it is sad to see parents have so little family value. The children are spoiled and lazy and act as if everything is owed them. I grew up in a 2 room dwelling, no running water no electricity and no floor and I was much happier then the children who I cared for. no matter what my mother was always positive and had a smile on her face. I can count on 1 hand the times any of the moms I worked for had a smile on dem face!
Post a Comment