Monday, January 30, 2006
Working Hours of the Nanny
I have been involved in some discussions on hours, duties and compensation recently - it seems more than ususal. Perhaps its the new year and nannies taking stock?
Most full-time nannies work 45 - 50 hours a week - closer to 45 than 50. However, there are some families asking for considerably more - 55 - 60 hours in a 5 day week. The longer hours are generally more highly compensated positions, but on a $/hour calculation they tend to actually work out lower than the norm.
My thoughts?
A 10 hour work day is a lot - especially for the come and go nanny. Make that 11 - 12 hours per day and it can become impossible. Job burnout becomes almost inevitable - when does the nanny have time for a life if she leaves her home at 6 - 6:30 am, works 7 - 7 and gets home around 8?
So how does the family's need get balanced with the nanny's needs?
Some compromise goes a long way. One family decided that they could work out M - Th as 7:30 - 7 and Friday as 7:30 - 2. How? Dad decided he could work from home on Friday afternoons and made it happen. This particular nanny called me after a few weeks of this schedule offering profuse thanks for the idea. She says the early Friday gives her the feeling of a long weekend, and she can get her errands (groceries, banking, etc.) all done on Friday afternoons while most of the world is still at work. She has taken to preparing a special dinner for her boyfriend on Friday evenings - starting the weekend in a companionable low-stess manner.
Another family I spoke to decided they could stagger the parents' work hours. One parent began the day almost an hour earlier. The 7:30 to 6:30 day was shortened by 45 minutes per day for the nanny - bringing her 55 hour work week down to 51 hours - enough to make a difference.
Living and working in Northern Virginia, I am well aware of the long commutes parents endure to get from their nice homes in the suburbs to their jobs closer to the city. Washington DC consistently ranks in the top 5 worse commutes nationwide. I get great satisfaction talking through these issues with parents and nannies and helping them find a solution that works. The goodwill built with a win-win compromise is priceless.
I have been involved in some discussions on hours, duties and compensation recently - it seems more than ususal. Perhaps its the new year and nannies taking stock?
Most full-time nannies work 45 - 50 hours a week - closer to 45 than 50. However, there are some families asking for considerably more - 55 - 60 hours in a 5 day week. The longer hours are generally more highly compensated positions, but on a $/hour calculation they tend to actually work out lower than the norm.
My thoughts?
A 10 hour work day is a lot - especially for the come and go nanny. Make that 11 - 12 hours per day and it can become impossible. Job burnout becomes almost inevitable - when does the nanny have time for a life if she leaves her home at 6 - 6:30 am, works 7 - 7 and gets home around 8?
So how does the family's need get balanced with the nanny's needs?
Some compromise goes a long way. One family decided that they could work out M - Th as 7:30 - 7 and Friday as 7:30 - 2. How? Dad decided he could work from home on Friday afternoons and made it happen. This particular nanny called me after a few weeks of this schedule offering profuse thanks for the idea. She says the early Friday gives her the feeling of a long weekend, and she can get her errands (groceries, banking, etc.) all done on Friday afternoons while most of the world is still at work. She has taken to preparing a special dinner for her boyfriend on Friday evenings - starting the weekend in a companionable low-stess manner.
Another family I spoke to decided they could stagger the parents' work hours. One parent began the day almost an hour earlier. The 7:30 to 6:30 day was shortened by 45 minutes per day for the nanny - bringing her 55 hour work week down to 51 hours - enough to make a difference.
Living and working in Northern Virginia, I am well aware of the long commutes parents endure to get from their nice homes in the suburbs to their jobs closer to the city. Washington DC consistently ranks in the top 5 worse commutes nationwide. I get great satisfaction talking through these issues with parents and nannies and helping them find a solution that works. The goodwill built with a win-win compromise is priceless.
Comments:
<< Home
This is SO true. I talk to so many nannies that have ended up leaving positions because the hours are just unrealistic and demanding. This blog is very true- how DO you have a life outside of work, or hobbies or intersts, or pay attention to your family or home if you are literally away from it for 14 hours per day????
Some nannies feel pressured into accepting a position that is 12-14 hours per day because the family says they have no other childcare to help the schedule out with.....
All families should have a back-up care plan or an alternative plan for childcare that allows your nanny to work for no longer than 10 hours a day. It will increase your nanny's happiness and longevity with your family.
Put yourself in her shoes- would YOU stay at a position that kept those kinds of hours? I highly doubt it-- you'd be looking for greener grass the first chance you got. Which is exactly what most nannies do in these situations after the honeymoon stage is over.
Post a Comment
Some nannies feel pressured into accepting a position that is 12-14 hours per day because the family says they have no other childcare to help the schedule out with.....
All families should have a back-up care plan or an alternative plan for childcare that allows your nanny to work for no longer than 10 hours a day. It will increase your nanny's happiness and longevity with your family.
Put yourself in her shoes- would YOU stay at a position that kept those kinds of hours? I highly doubt it-- you'd be looking for greener grass the first chance you got. Which is exactly what most nannies do in these situations after the honeymoon stage is over.
<< Home
