Are Brooklyn Parents Good Bosses To Their Nannies?

How can you be sure you’re being a good boss to your kiddie’s caregiver? Park Slope Parents’ 6th Nanny Compensation Survey can help.

Conducted in March and April of this year, the survey is based on information collected from 870 Brooklyn parents who employ a “live-out” nanny to look after their little ones.

Some key findings from this year’s survey include:

Pay – the average hourly pay for a full-time nanny for one child is $17.05 ($1.99 more than 2015). The average hourly pay for a full-time nanny for 2 children is $18.33 ($1.89 more than 2015).

Part-time nannies earn a higher hourly rate than full-time caregivers, averaging $18.30/hour for 10-20 hours and $17.90/hour for more than 50 hours.

Forty-five percent of the parents surveyed said that they pay their nannies overtime (average $6.67/hour) for more than 40 hours worked. However, the survey notes that approximately only one in five of the employers comply with employment laws which require them to pay time-and-a-half for more than 40 hours worked in a week.

When it comes to how parents pay their nannies, sixty percent said they pay them under the table or “completely off the books.” Only thirteen percent of parents claim to pay their nannies “completely on the books,” while twelve percent said they do a little bit of both, and fifteen percent chose not to answer.

Time Off – The survey found that the average agreed upon paid days off is 14 days, while the number of days off actually taken is 21 days (including holidays—New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day). According to the survey, a majority of the nannies are paid for all 21 days they take off.

Fifty-eight percent of those polled say they let their nannies schedule their time-off at their own discretion rather than telling them which days they can take off (something Park Slope Parents advocates).

Raises/Bonuses/Perks – The survey found that 74 percent of nannies who have worked for a family for more than a year received a raise. The average raise given is $1.28/hour.

Ninety-five percent of parents polled said they give their nanny a bonus if he/she has worked for the family for more than 12 months. Annual bonuses typically add up to one week’s pay.

A high percentage of parents claim that some of the perks they give their nannies include: a full day’s pay even if the nanny is allowed to leave early; an “open kitchen” policy; cab fare home after dark or late hours; and a paid MetroCard or travel subsidy.

Approximately half of the parents surveyed said they give their nannies access to a home computer or internet access, and provide their nannies an “allowance” (typically $15 to $30/week) to spend as needed when with the children.

The survey also found that fifty-five percent of parents polled provide a written agreement to their nannies. Park Slope Parents recommends the use of an agreement to outline an employer’s expectations, and list the nanny’s duties, compensation, time off, and other relevant details.

Park Slope Parents is a community group consisting of more than 5,800 local families supporting parenting life in Brooklyn by sharing information about parenting issues and city living. Check out parkslopeparents.com to learn more about the community and click here to see the 2017 Nanny Compensation Survey results.