Nanny. It’s the word that stops parents in their tracks. The nanny is someone who finds herself at the center of a messy game of tug-of-war between two sets of parents, each with wildly different priorities.
And when it’s time for her to leave, things can get pretty ugly. With parents thinking they own the nanny and that they can terminate at any time, it’s easy to end up with a bad or bitter breakup.
Here are some tips to make sure it goes smoothly:
1. Communicate Early and Often
From the moment you start looking for a nanny, let her know what your plans are if things do not work out. That way she never feels blindsided by a sudden termination. (To be specific, let her know that if either party wants to sever the relationship, it must be by mutual agreement—no one-sided firings.)
The nanny should have an open, regular line of communication with you, so she can express any concerns or apprehensions she may have. And keep a digital or paper trail of everything you discuss.
2. Treat Your Nanny as an Employee
If she’s not covered by Workman’s Comp or your homeowner’s insurance, you will be liable if she gets hurt on the job. The same is true for sick days. While many nannies feel a sense of loyalty toward their charges, you are both still business owners and need to protect your bottom line. If you don’t have a written contract, find out exactly what her plans are should an illness keep her away from work. (These plans will be spelled out in the “other benefits” section of your contract. They can include ways to cover medical expenses, sick days, vacation, and more.)
3. Make Sure You are Covered by Liability Insurance
If you are part of a homeowners association or have other policies that pay for damages or help pay your nanny’s bills while she is out of work, make sure you ask what types of coverage apply. You can generally get a homeowner’s policy on the spot, but it helps to know what your policy doesn’t cover. Without this, you will be personally responsible for any damages that occur while your nanny is at work. If your nanny gets hurt, you will have to cover her medical bills. Also, if a child hurts a family member and is sued for damages, you will be responsible for the costs.
4. Have Your Nanny Sign a Personal Service Agreement (PSA).
This agreement sets out how much her salary, payroll schedule, what her benefits are (vacation days, sick days, etc.), and anything else that may come up in the future. This can be tailored to suit your exact needs and should be titled as a personal services agreement, not an employment contract. An employment contract will cover things like compliance with labor laws and proper taxes; the PSA is the business-to-business agreement that explains the nanny’s role and responsibilities.
5. Give Two Weeks Notice
In most states, a contract is legally binding with two weeks’ notice, but there are ways to bring it up to the four-week mark. If you have a PSA outlining her benefits and need to make changes, two weeks is plenty of time. For example, if your nanny needs a copy of it for tax purposes but you have already sent it, she can send you a request for the document after one week—but within two weeks she will be able to request the document.
If you need to make a change, a two-week notice is sufficient. If your nanny has an upcoming vacation and you would like to schedule a meeting for the week before, it’s fine to give her notice then as well. Just make sure you are not changing any of her benefits or responsibilities.
6. Help Find Your Replacement
Once you begin looking for a replacement, make sure you are transparent with your nanny about the process. It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure that person is qualified, experienced and a good fit for your family. You should expect your nanny to be open to providing referrals, or even seeking out potential candidates on her own.
Ask friends and family. Friends and family are a great resource for finding a replacement—and they also offer valuable insight into how your nanny will fit with your family and the dynamics of working together.
When you are interviewing candidates, be sure to give them (and your nanny) a little history about the family. This can help your nanny understand who each of you is and how she will fit into the household.
Do your homework before you contact an agency. Ask for references and determine what kind of candidates they will be putting forth for the position. Make sure their background checks have come back clean and find out if they provide any added services.
If you are working with an agency, you will have a lot of questions to ask:
How much do they charge?
Be sure you understand what the fee covers and what your responsibilities are as a family. It’s also important to know that some agencies charge a fee to promote jobs on their website. This may be beneficial, depending on how much time and effort you want to invest in finding a nanny. Agencies may also offer added value for clients, like discounts on background checks or access to other services.
What kind of background checks do they perform?
Be sure they have completely cleared your nanny of any criminal or immoral records. If you are working with an agency that provides only a basic criminal background check, be sure to ask if it goes further than the law requires. If you already have a nanny and require a police clearance, some agencies will provide it for a fee.
Do they provide a contract or a personal services agreement?
Working with an agency, they will likely give you some sort of paperwork. It should outline what you are responsible for and what the agency is responsible for; it will also outline the responsibilities of the nanny.
What skills should I look for?
Some agencies screen their nannies by evaluating their communication skills, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Imagine how this might help you in the long term.
https://nanniesandkidsunited.com/benefits-of-using-a-childcare-staff-agency/
