End of year bonus for nannies

I've had a nanny for about 6.5 years now (have had 2 different ones, both of them absolutely brilliant).

I always try and make sure that there is a "professional" basis to the relationship, as well as the very obvious personal one. To do that, I look analogously as the way I treat employees at work. I do the following:

1. Christmas bonus (week's salary in the run up to Christmas);

1. Annual salary review. Even if it is only cost of living or nothing, I think it is important to have a specific understanding that the salary will be re-looked at once a year.

1. Annual appraisal and feedback. We have an annual appraisal. This means that she has a very clear opportunity to say "look, I'm getting a bit pissed off with the way you all rush off after breakfast and just leave everything on the table" or whatever. We've never had any issues but I think it is good to have a mechanism in place. We sit down with a coffee or wine and just go over what is working well, what needs to change as the children get bigger and how responsibilities change. For example DS has gone into Y2 and is getting more homework - she does the spellings, we share the reading, DH and I do the weekend stuff etc. I also ask her if there is anything she thinks we need to change in the children's routines etc. We all give feedback!

1. I am also very clear about overtime etc. Basically if we are running a bit late (doesn't happen that often) the first 30 mins is "free" (or made up by leaving earlier other times etc) but after 30 mins I pay by the hour (ie if 40 mins late I pay 1 hour). Similarly I would like her to come in at the weekend and help with DD's birthday party and have said to her I will pay at time and a half (which is what my PA would get for weekend working).

I honestly think that you need to have a good solid framework in place for doing all this. Sorry - realise you only asked about bonus though!

Our nanny has been with us for 6 years. we have an annual review every year on anniversary of start and give her a pay rise - cost of living plus - in years when work got harder, like year number 3 DS was born, an additional rise to reflect extra work load. we;ve also increased annual leave to reflect her contribution. we give her a bonus - equivalent to an extra week's pay - at Christmas every year.

I give a bonus when me and hubby get a bonus so usually one at Christmas and one for summer holiday. It is usually about 1 weeks pay. We also give an annual increase at about the rate of inflation, again depending on our increases which have been very poor recently. Rate is £11 gross.

hi, i am a qualified nanny with over 14 years experience. 8 years in the UK. I do receive an annual pay review, but have never got an end of year bonus. Going thru a nanny agency, they say that you are not entitled to one, and it is great if you get one. really no rules, but if you are happy with your nanny and think she deserves one, im sure she will be VERY greatful.

Especially nannies who work for very rich city traders...I have 3 friends who've been given notice as a result of the Lehman's collapse because their MBs worked for them and have decided that seeing as their job has gone they're going to stay at home with the children and avoid the rush of every looking for a limited amount of jobs.

We are on £10 p/h net now - which nanny has been on for 18 mo - I wonder if I should be thinking of a rise...

suey sounds sensible

I usually get a weeks pay and a small gift from the children which is always something that they know I would like, so theyve thought about it which is nice.

I am very happy with my nanny, so will be offering a pay rise once she has been with me for one year. However, i will be working out a 5% rise on her gross salary, not net. I don't see why i should have to pay for an increase of the tax on top of the 5%!

I don't give bonuses. I think they are a thing of the past. Nannies, like all other employees, can expect tough times ahead in the recession.

However, if I did get a bonus I would probably be inclined to share some of it with my nanny at Christmas.

excalty simplyme - i dont expect a bonus,but I do a payrise, everything goes up including my mortgage so i need more money

I have had pay rises and bonus' in most of my jobs. I have never expected them and hate asking for money. I think a lot of nannies go out of their way to work hard and go the extras mile often doing things that aren't expected so therefore it is nice to be shown appreciation once in a while and pay reviews and bonus' are a good thing. TBH most other jobs do have yearly reviews as the cost of living goes up so why shouldn't nannies?

all depends on age and experience

10 net per hour is the going rate

hourly

I think the houly rate live-out in London is around £9 net

Slightly off-topic but realised that haven't reviewed my nanny's salary for a bit. Anyone know what the current hourly going rate for live-out in London is (either gross or net would do...) ta

Im qualified and have been in my job 4 years and have never had a payrise or bonus.

I don't know any job that gets an annual review.
My friend had her 25years' service payment a couple of years ago.
It was £100.
She's a nurse.

I think an annual pay review is fair as cost of living goes up but I wouldn't expect a bonus as such. That said in all my jobs I have been given bonus's at Christmas and in my last job was given a cash bonus every year that I had been there. In my first Nanny job I was really badly paid (£180 a week for 24/5 - baby 5 wks at start of job - room next to baby on seperate floor from parents ) but got lots of perks which kind of balanced out the low salary.

Meant to add i'm not qualified either. As for annual reviews, I think they are so important whether you give a bonus/pay rise or not, even if you/they think everything is running perfectly, it's nice to hear things are going well and that you're doing a good job or gives both parties the chance to iron out those niggling bits that may escalate out of proportion if not dealt with.

I have name changed here

Over the past few jobs I have received a christmas bonus of 1wks pay, but, no annual pay rise, although another way of looking at it I suppose its like getting a rise in one lump sum and so being able to buy something with it to remember the children by (that's what I've done anyway).

The 1st time I ever received an annual bonus(not that long ago) I was completely speechless when I was handed a months salary

I think it's more important to be treated fairly in a job though.

never had one

im qualified, experianced and have a degree

i dont think tis necessarily 'normal'

Some jobs i've had a bonus and others i haven't and it's not something that i expect. Usually had 2 weeks money as a bonus and have always had a payrise anually.