Is it common for nannies to have a work phone ? Post Reply

[Minatoku]

Hello,

We have had a live in nanny since the beginning of the year who, I believe, is more than decently paid (£400 net a week for 55h).
I have noticed that she never replies to my texts (and I am clearly not a control freak, I might send maybe 3 a week on average) and waits to be back home to reply by email.
She has now told me that if I want her to reply straight away I should give her a nanny phone or some phone credits. I find it a bit chocking and among my friends and colleagues I have never heard of someone paying for a nanny phone.
What is your opinion on that ? Is that the norm ?
Thanks in advance for your reply.

M.

[papinian]

I think things have changed a bit. A nanny phone was more common when mobiles were more expensive. Mobiles have become ubiquitous and a lot of people are on plans with unlimited texts or even calls. Therefore, a nanny phone is much less common. I would ask your nanny how much it costs her to send a text - I doubt it is more than 15p - it might be nothing. Then I'd multiply that by 30 (allowing for 30 texts a month - a lot more than you say you are making) and see what it comes to. Most likely £3-5. I'd then offer to reimburse her that a month. What she seems to be angling for is for you to pay for her whole mobile plan!

I'm the first person on this site to criticise employers who pay/treat their nannies/au pairs badly. I agree with you that £400 net/week for a live-in nanny is decent pay, even for 55 hours.

[Minatoku]

As you said I was really disappointed and I found it very unprofessional.
As if I was being taken hostage, I.e. If you want an answer straight away you have to pay otherwise though on you...
Anyway I was also told that if I wanted feedback on the children I should call her during her working hours but she is not willing to talk to me when I come back from work because that will be considered as overtime in a way.
How weird ? Don t you think ?
I also totally agree that mobiles should only be used in case of an emergency. I see so many nannies on my way to work in the morning addicted to their phones.

[Twin Maternity Nurse]

Wow I'm shocked that a nanny would say that. Debriefing is a intergral part of the day and its ridiculous for the nanny to ask you to phone her to get any information
Every nanny knows that before they leave they give the parents the low down on the day which probably takes all of 3 minutes so for her to charge overtime for that is absurd .

I would say to her that you expect her to fill you in on the day before she finishes and if she does not like it..... tough luck!

[audrey]

Judging by her behaviour, I would say this nanny has issues with her curent work arrangement and uses these opportunities to tell you that she is not happy. You said her pay is already quite decent, so I wouldn't contemplate any work phone allowance or let alone paying her for this "overtime" nonsense (debriefing is part of her job). You need to have a good talk to your nanny on what you expect from her from now on. I would also be keeping an eye on what's available in the nanny market, as things may deteriorate and you don't want to be taken by surprise.

[Minatoku]

I agree with all your answers and thank you very much for your feedback.
I believe it all started on the 1st month when she called her home country many times from our landline which we clearly did not approve and told her that was not included in the package.
This is when she said that it would be normal to have a nanny phone since she was a live in nanny. And then I would get replies to my Sms much later on from her computer. It was retaliation I guess.
Again at almost £8 an hour for a live in nanny and 5 weeks paid holidays a year I think she definitely has a more than fair package.
I really would like things to improve but when I asked to have a chat with her she declined.
How do we go from there ?

[audrey]

Come again? She declined?
Oh well, you have your answer then. Start looking for a replacement ASAP!!!!

[dansk1234dance]

Minatoku - it depends. It looks as if she is forcing you to accept things the way they are, by 'declining to chat'.

If that were me, I'd give her her first warning. In fact, I would hand her her notice straight away. I wouldn't never put up with behaviour like that.

[AbbevilleMummy]

By 'declining' to talk to you she is showing a complete lack of respect and you cannot employ a nanny who doesn't respect you. Quite frankly I would not feel comfortable leaving my children with someone who would behave like that towards me.

As awful as it is, I think the only option for you now is to give her her notice citing unreasonable, unprofessional behaviour as your reason.

But be prepare for her to just walk out there and then as she sounds like the type.

[nvmof3]

I have always paid for a phone contract for my au pairs with unlimited texts and x minutes of calls. If they go over, they pay the excess. It costs around £16 per month. I would never want to run the risk that there was a problem and they had no credits to call for help. Also I have no guilt about asking them to check in with me or answer texts. Although nannies are paid more than au pairs, It's a small extra cost and in my opinion it is a safety thing for the kids.

[twice_as_nice]

As a nanny, she is an employee, so think it's not really on for her to 'decline' to speak to her employer. You can insist on a formal meeting or something I'm sure to discuss these issues and work out a way forward - as would happen in any other work situation I think...

[Sunny007]

we have had several nannies and this petty attitude is a bad sign. if she only started a few months ago, i would recommend finding a polite reason to let her go and then get another nanny. if you went through an agency to get her - you need to act soon to get your refund or replacement nanny.

i look back on previous nannies that we have had who were nice but below par and i kick myself for being too nice to them. i have previously let nannies get away with too much as being worried about upsetting the person who looks after our children.

do everything nice and politely and try to end things with her on good terms.

[Hopeyla]

Hi.

I am a nanny and have been for years, first jib did not even have a mobile.

I am truly shocked at some of the demands nannys are asking from there employers. It also seems to be the average nannys who have all these ridiculous demands and unfortunately employers don't want to loose a nanny as have paid alot out for them with agency fees etc plus nanny wage so bow down to them.


I have never heard of a nanny having a nanny phone. She probably will never use it to reply back to you when she is out as who wants to carry around two phones, or sheonly use yours and use up data, text etc but still won't reply to you.

In the past when I had limited amount of texts and phone calls allowance I had boss offer to pay in the interview half of my contract as I would be arranging playdates and replying to her odd text or call. But recently over the years with unlimited texts, calls had never even crossed my mind or bosses minds to pay. And I also use what's app for sending free photos may of taken of kids that day.

For the last year I have been doing a lot of ad hoc and temping. And always ask parents if they are on what's app as free when on wiffi and does not use much data especially if I'm in a house a lot of time in Clapham where signal is terrible in the houses. At least have some sort of contact if need to with parents.

If she from abroad she more than likely has what's app or viber as can send free texts and pictures abroad. And bonus about what's app you can see when and if she reads the texts .

Don't let her take you for a ride as this will be the start of even more demands. As you say she is on a very good wage for live in. Good luck in sorting it out.

[Penguin80]

I work as a nanny, and have installed what'sap on my mobile ashas my boss, although I also have unlimited texts, but if your nanny dosent and has an iPhone or equivalent ask her to install what'sap and she can text you for free including photos etc.
I agree with most of you to and let me say as a nanny I only every check my phone if the baby is asleep or if it's the parents texting etc. I too hate nannies that spend time on the phone and ignore the children, It gives nannies who care about their charges and spend time with them a bad name.

[tiggerg]

As a nanny I am also shocked by this. You are paying her £200 a month more than normal. I have never been given any money for my phone. If she has a contract or even pay as you go you get free messages and minutes these days. I text my employer 2 or 3 times a day even sending pictures which I pay for on top of my phone contract. I think she's trying her luck with the phone and as for complaining about giving feedback and not wanting to talk to you, crazy! To be honest I would give her notice there are so many amazing nannies who are out of work at the moment so it's her loss.
Can't believe some nannies!