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Original poster

Nannys/parents - how do you agree overtime?

33 replies

sukigg · 20/09/2011 10:39

Hello. We are about to appoint our first nanny. We both have busy, senior management jobs and while we will definitely be aiming for a better work/life balance now we're parents, it's inevitable that at times we will be home later than the nanny's official clocking off time, and that sometimes we might not know that until the day itself.

I've made it clear in our ad that we need someone flexible and able to stay late when required, and have discussed us being back late (not as a matter of course, but if unavoidable) during interviews, asking how much notice the nanny would need to stay late etc.

My question is if this is the norm? In my industry, although you are contracted to certain hours, it (rightly or wrongly) goes without saying that you stay until the job is done - generally when earning less than a nanny it turns out! We have no intention of taking advantage of our nanny, and so far they've all been very relaxed about it, but all the talk of hourly rates has me wondering if after a couple of favours, they'll start equating the odd extra half hour with pound signs and will feel disgruntled. Are we better to ask for a few babysitting sessions as part of the contract, even though we don't really need them, to use for late homecomings? Or is it generally accepted that you sometimes have to stay half an hour late? Does anyone ever end up paying overtime to their nanny? Would appreciate some advice as really want to ensure a fair arrangement for all.
(longwinded, sorry, but it's my first post!)

OP posts:
Strix · 20/09/2011 16:36

You should always pay per hour whenever you are late. If you don't, nanny will realise she's the only nanny who doesn't get paid and probably not be overjoyed with her position. Alternatively, you could negotiate into the contract that x days at maximum of x hours are part of the rate she is already paid.

In my house nanny (or au pair) is contracted for set hours each week. Any other hours are requested by me (she has right to say no) and paid at previously agreed hourly rate. The only time I would really expect her to say yes is if it as for work. But, even then I wouldn't expect her to be happy with last minute announcements on a regular basis.

Original poster
sukigg · 20/09/2011 15:28

Thanks all. That's helpful. I was hoping to foster a kind of swings and roundabouts understanding, as jendifa says, rather than paying overtime each time we're a bit late. If I was hiring someone for a one-off, then I would expect to pay overtime, but I feel it's different if you're making a long term commitment to someone and paying a decent wage. What do other nannies think? At what point would you ask for overtime to be paid rather than accept it as part and parcel of your role?

OP posts:
anniemac · 20/09/2011 14:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

anniemac · 20/09/2011 14:21

This reply has been deleted

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jendifa · 20/09/2011 14:20

I think, as a nanny, you expect it to happen. I nannied for five years and MB would always ring and apologise, letting me know the time she expected to be back. Like fraktious, DB often didn't sound sorry, but I got used to it!

My main piece of advice would be to find out if the nanny has regular commitments on any evening. MB knew I did things on a certain night and so always made sure she or DB were back in time, which I really appreciated.

In regards to pay, I didn't get paid overtime for when I had to stay a bit longer. I didn't expect to though, in the same way I didn't expect to be paid less when they let me go earlier.

HTH

anniemac · 20/09/2011 14:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fraktious · 20/09/2011 12:13

Most nannies understand that shit occasionally happens. As much notice as possible (so not 5.45 when you should be home at 6), paying for her to have something to eat and paying overtime will all go a long way to making it bearable.

Do not do what my ex dadboss did - missed the Eurostar, called 10 minutes before I thought he was getting home to tell me and didn't sound sorry. Luckily mumboss called to say goodnight to my charge a bit later and told me she was very sorry, had bollocked dadboss and that I should use kitty money for a takeaway.

We now have a nanny ourselves and her hours are longer in theory than in reality. If DH were deployed and I were stuck at work I expect she'd do the extra without any resentment because 99% of the time she works less. It's something we discussed but have never had to use so far.

So be upfront and be prepared to pay. If necessary have the numbers of a few local babysitters who might be able to do short notice sits.

minipie · 20/09/2011 10:42

I don't have the answer I'm afraid, but watching with interest as I have a similar job and wonder how this works. How often can you realistically ask a nanny to stay a bit later (without much notice) and how do you compensate them for this.