what 'pay off' would you give nanny if decide to move and don't need her anymore

[Gemmitygem]

we're living abroad, just found out we'll be moving back to Europe. Had nanny since Feb, she is great, we warned her we wouldn't be around that long. Going to tell her tomorrow, and she'll have two months to look for a job (while still employed by us) before we leave.

What would you think would be a reasonable way to end the time with her? (e.g. an extra month's salary)? We don't have any contract or whatever (we're in Central Asia).

I want to be fair to her, given that her family has a low income, any tips appreciated..

I would give her notice and then maybe give her a thank you bonus rather than a pay-off. There is no need for that as she knew it was a short term thing but if you call it a bonus it sounds better!

One thing that occurs to me is that by telling her now, while she has two months to look for a new job, she could leave at any time during that period.

Therefore if you need the childcare up to your leaving date, then I think paying her for say a month beyond that date would be good - but making it clear that such payment only happens if she is still working for you up to last day she is needed (agree the date). That way she has 2 months to look for a new job, has pay for the additional month, so with luck won't be in a hurry to move on to the next job.

Another reason contracts are a neccessity! Hope it all works out fine.

If there is such a place where you could do this, it might be an idea to help her put together an advert or even do this for her (if you're happy to recommend her)in relevant locations where she could find a job (i.e. embassy websites, etc.) In London, this would, for example, be Simply Childcare.

Hey Gemmity - long time no see (so to speak) - How will you survive without all that horses milk?

we had similar dilemma with housekeeper when we left Sth Africa - felt awful because it is very difficult to get good jobs out there (and to be treated well). In the end we advertised in the local paper on her behalf and helped her with the job hunt. she found a job but it was all a bit 'iffy' so in the end we gave her a 6 month bonus - but that was easy to do because the salaries out there were so low. I would recommend that you help in jobhunt (if you can) and if she gets a good job then a month's pay sounds reasonable (and the stereo, and the DVD player and so on.... you know how it is when you leave a posting... )... if she doesn't get a job then be as generous as you can, otherwise you will feel terribly guilty.

thanks, ladies! and hi Squiffy!

We told her yesterday and she was very upset but better today. I will write a recommendation in English to be published in the expat women's mag and the American expat magazine, and give her an extra month's salary, so hopefully she'll find something. Won't be quite as easy to sort out childcare in Europe, but that's a whole other story...

So where in europe are you going to end up?

Amsterdam... have already started looking for jobs, and learning Dutch..

Hope it all goes well in Amsterdam but I guess nowhere near as exciting Boratsville .... still I am sure the grandparents will approve of you all being closer...