Friday

What Would Be a Fair Amount?

opinion 2 I'm a nanny for my cousin and her husband in the Madison, Wi area. I have my own room and I share the guest bathroom. I watch their 1 year old daughter from 8am to about 3pm. They do provide my food (and toilet paper since I share the bathroom with guests) but I pay for everything else on my own. Currently, they're paying me $50 a week, I don't think that's even close to enough, but since they're family I'm a little scared to say anything without having something to back me up. Can anyone help to let me know what a fair amount would be?

13 comments:

hmmm said...

Yikes, 20 years ago I did the same thing for my cousins and got 100 a week, as a 12 year old! an au pair is about 200 a week. Ask for more money!

Alex said...

Yes, that is NOT enough! Do you have a car? cell phone? Need clothes every so often? Medical bills? There is no way that can be done on $200 a month and let them know that!! :) Good luck!

lexeael13 said...

I would ask for more I know how you feel about talking to them about it can be stressful. I would say the amount would have to do with hours of work a week maybe around 300 or so at least I have not been a live in nanny but i get near 700 per week for slightly less money now I know you get a room and some extras but for your hours you work you deserve more for it at least 300.
I did the math that if you work 45 hours a week and make 8 dollars per hour then you should get about 360 weekly that might work for you plus its not huge dollar amounts hourly you would be asking for which can still take in to account for your free room situation. I hope this helps.

Bostonnanny said...

As a live in they are legally obligated to pay you at least minimum wage for the hours worked. I think it's horrible that your own family is taking advantage of you. I would ask for $200 a week at the least

Tales from the (Nanny)Hood said...

Au pairs make minimum wage and have 40% taken out for room and board. If you're working 35 hours a week, that would mean $152.25 a week would be a fair wage if you fit the au pair profile.

If you have childcare experience, don't need to be supervised, and fit more of a "nanny" profile, then I would ask for at least $250 per week.

Good luck!

No way said...

You are very underpaid! I know they are family and you are probably trying to help them out but they must know that you need make money. I have no idea how you survive on $50 a week!! I assume you are blowing through your savings if you are only making that amount of money. If you ask them for more money and they say no, ask them (nicely) if they themselves could live on $50 a week?! Even if you don't have utility and rent bills (since you are living at your house) I assume you have to pay for gas, car insurance, hobbies, and just things that happen in life. No one could do that on $200 a month! Definitely sit them down and break down the numbers so they can see that you aren't making anything. Make sure you remind them that yes, you are family and want to help but need to support yourself at the same time. Please update us on what happens!

ericsmom said...

You cousin is rotten!!

NannyPoppins said...

This is a very sticky situation since it involves family. But I would try to have a sit down meeting with them. Explain to them that while you enjoy working for them, appreciate them taking care of your room and board, as well as your toiletries, you simply cannot "survive" on $50 a week. The above posters have made some great suggestions for pay and I agree with them. Working for family can be truly hard especially when it comes down to the issue of compensation. At the very LEAST they should offer you minimum wage. If it's hard for you to talk in person, I would sit down and write up all your questions, concerns, your daily duties, bills you need to pay, and come up with various "pay scenarios" this way you will have your ideas all set up before you talk in person. Good Luck!

momma said...

aupairs make $198/week for 45 hrs which is minimum wage, plus the host family has to give them room and board. You are being taken advantage of.

Truth Seeker said...

Is it 8-3 Monday thru Friday? If so, that is only like ten dollars a day. Sadly, not even a hamster can live on that.

Tonya said...

@Truth Seeker...LOL.

Rose said...

Off topic here but I am in Janesville WI and am open to networking! My e-mail is rosepomplun@gmail.com would love to hear from you- let me know if you need any help!

ADR said...

Whoa, you're KIDDING ME. That means at you're getting $200 a month??? Your cousin is 100% taking advantage of you, you are working full-time with a 1 year old. They should be paying you at LEAST minimum wage, but more likely they should be paying you around $10/hr, or $300/week. Jesus, I can't even imagine if a family member tried to take advantage of me like that. My parents would have a fit! Good luck!