Nanny Tax & Payroll Updates! HomeWork Solutions

The New York State Assembly is now considering the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (S. 5235). This legislation, the first statewide legislation of its type, would extend many labor protections to domestic workers who have long been exempted for most labor protections.

Specifically , the proposal includes the following:

1. A living wage, phased in from $12 to $14 per hour by 2010.



2. Employer choice to provide health care coverage or a wage supplement of an additional $2 per hour.



3. Other basic work standards:




• Time-and-a-half at the regular rate for every hour over 40 hours per week;


• One day off per 7-day calendar week;


• Up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave;


• Paid time off for vacations and holidays;


• Paid sick days;


• Advance notice of termination;


• Severance pay in accordance with number of years worked.




4. A method for domestic workers to enforce these work standards in court.

Legislation of this type drives home the need for families employing domestics to familiarize themselves with the laws governing this employment relationship. Families can protect themselves from unwarranted claims from disgruntled employees by establishing a written work agreement, maintaining accurate and contemporaneous time tracking records, and prompt and accurate wage reporting to the appropriate taxing authorities. HomeWork Solutions offers NaniPay, a payroll service specifically for employers of nannies, housekeepers, maids and elder care workers.

Labels: domestic worker bill of rights, domestic worker payroll, nanny bill of rights, nanny payroll service