I Need Some Advice For Nannies Or Those Who Have Been Nannies

[momofboys]

I started my first nanny position this week. So far things are going well with the kids. It's the parents I am having trouble with. They are great but I am afraid they are going to be rather frugal with their generosity & try to milk me for everything I am worth. We had our hours set in stone (or so I thought - via e-mail) & my pay was set with add'l funds added on to pay for gas to run their child to school. Well the first week I was paid but no funds were added on for the gas (I was paid in cash as I was leaving so it's not like I was going to count it in front of the parent). Now they did not have me drive their child to school b/c it was my first week - parent & another relative handled it but I could have done it. I feel like it was their choice to not have me take said child & parent had originally said you can depend on *** amount each week. Then on my 2nd or 3rd day one of the parents asked me if I could work about 20-25 min later so they could work out after work most work days. I really didn't know how to respond. Now I have no issue with a parent doing something outside of work while kids are in my care but my rates were based on the hours we previously agreed on so if I were to allow it I feel like I should be paid a larger fee for the extra time. I mean I am not working an extra 2 hours or so each week for FREE!

Am I wrong to feel a little upset about this? What is the best way to handle this? I thought about e-mailing them briefly to ask for constructive feedback about how I was doing & that I would kindly ask for some clarification about my pay & remind them that my hours were set for X to X & anything beyond said hours would require extra compensation. Advice please!

[nannyde]

Of course you should say something.

Two hours extra a week will turn into five very quickly if you don't attach a fee to it.

Make sure you don't allow them to short your hours one day and then make up the rest on any day they choose.

You have a base rate of X dollars for the hours of X to X. If they don't use those hours on any day they can't be applied to another day. If they use any time after X then it's X dollars per hour if it is scheduled and agreed upon BEFORE it occurs.

If they are pulling this now you are going to have serious problems in a few weeks.

I would NOT ask them for feedback this early. It's going to open negotiations for them to get more work outside of your agreement and more time.

[AnneCordelia]

I also would not ask for feedback this early.

Is there a contract? I also would tack on the restrictions regarding hours as NannyDe suggested.

I also absolutely WOULD count my pay infront of them. That way if they short you, it's not your word against theirs.

I wouldn't make a stink about the gas money. Most places don't pay for gas $ until after the fact anyway. My husband, for instance, bills seperately for his gas from his working hours.

[jen]

I agree...

I would just state that (if you are) happy to accomodate the extra time at a rate of $X for any part of one hour.

[momofboys]

Update

Okay. . . I did send a quick/short e-mail to the mom letting her know I thought the first week went well. I didn't ask for feedback on my performance (yet!) but I did mention how much I am enjoying spending time with her kids (totally true) & then I mentioned my brief concerns about pay/my quitting time. She acknowledged that hubby hadn't been informed about the gas $$$ & she said that she intends to give me gas $$ every week regardless of preschool pick-up b/c I do drive to the park/library, etc also. And she quickly stepped it up & said she understood about the leaving time & that her DH would be on time unless a school crisis arose. On week 2 of my job he was early or on time everyday & they made up the gas $$$ to me. So all is well in nanny land. I just had to grow a backbone quickly & stand up for what I deserved. Thanks for your advice.

[Blackcat31]

Okay. . . I did send a quick/short e-mail to the mom letting her know I thought the first week went well. I didn't ask for feedback on my performance (yet!) but I did mention how much I am enjoying spending time with her kids (totally true) & then I mentioned my brief concerns about pay/my quitting time. She acknowledged that hubby hadn't been informed about the gas $$$ & she said that she intends to give me gas $$ every week regardless of preschool pick-up b/c I do drive to the park/library, etc also. And she quickly stepped it up & said she understood about the leaving time & that her DH would be on time unless a school crisis arose. On week 2 of my job he was early or on time everyday & they made up the gas $$$ to me. So all is well in nanny land. I just had to grow a backbone quickly & stand up for what I deserved. Thanks for your advice.

Glad to hear it all worked out for you! Nice to hear the positives!!

[momofboys]

Update :-)

Okay, dad paid the proper amount last week to make up for the amount he shorted me the week before. Then today he did not include the gas $$$$. I REALLY like these parents, the dad has been on time everyday & the kids are very well behaved for the most part. I think since mom handled everything with me moneywise & she left dad out in the dark & he either "Forgets" or is not kept up to speed. Mom specifically told me in the last e-mail she wanted to give me gas $$$ each week regardless of preschool driving (& I did drive him to preschool this week. So how do I word this in an e-mail AGAIN so that I don't come off sounding like a B##ch that they left off the gas money?? I really just want to get paid what I am entitled to & don't want to come off as a complainer. And I am concerned that next week he will pay me wrong again. It's not a lot of money, only about $30 - but still enough that I want it. HELP!!!!::

[momofboys]

Bump:

Anyone want to help me draft a short/sweet e-mail? Please?!

Is something like this okay???

Dear Mom of kids I adore:

I wanted to touch base with you to let you know this week went wonderful. I could not be happier with my nanny position with your family**** I didn't receive what I thought I would on Friday - I think "Mark" forgot about the gas money. That's completely fine if you want to add it to next week's pay that would be great. I know with the short week he probably didn't know what he owed me. Hope you guys have a good weekend & enjoy the local festival you're attending.

Sincerely,
Devoted Nanny


*** This is really true - the kids are fabulous!!!

[Unregistered]

Nanny Advice

Great sample email, momofboys. I would also suggest keeping written track of everything -- miles driven or receipts for gas, a timesheet with exact hours worked, etc. Also, was there a written contract? Very important to have. All that can be found various places on the web. Http://www.mynannycontract.com is another place to check out.