Au Pair Stipend Set to Increase

Families employing an au pair through the US Department of State Au Pair Program, please be aware that the weekly au pair stipend will increase to $176.85 per week on July 24, 2008. This timing coincides with the next scheduled increase (to $6.55 per hour) of the US minimum wage.

Families are required to pay this new, higher stipend regardless of when they contracted with their au pair. There will be another increase in July 2009.

Nanny Confidentiality Agreement: A Best Practice

Recent Hollywood Star vs. Former Nanny news has raised the profile of the nanny confidentiality agreement. These are not just for the rich and famous - every family should take the time to put a nanny work agreement in place that includes as one of its essential components a nanny confidentiality agreement. Every family has information and circumstances that the nanny may become privy to that they clearly would not want broadcast about the neighborhood, to the nanny's next employer, or to the nanny's friends and family.

HomeWork Solutions publishes tips on writing the Nanny Work Agreement in our popular Ten Tips Series. An important point is that you want to make sure the confidentiality agreement survives the work agreement.

Clients and site visitors can find sample Nanny : Family Work Agreements at the 4nannytaxes.com website in the Nanny Tax Forms area.