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A Nanny, Taking a Vacation?  Absolutely!

7/18/2019

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You work hard as a nanny! Long days of activity planning, meal prepping, and potty training can leave you in need of a well-deserved vacation, once in a while. But how will your nanny-family manage without you? Don't worry, we promise they will.

Working long hours without building time for a personal nanny vacation can leave you feeling burned-out and frustrated, and no employer wants that. If you're thinking about using some of your vacation days to go on a trip, just make sure to make an extra effort to prepare your nanny-family for your time off. Here's some tips on how you can make for the smoothest experience possible, for both you and your employers. 
nanny is taking vacation

Here are Some Tips to Help Prepare for your Nanny Vacation

1.  Leave Yummy Provisions and Take Stock
nanny is taking vacation
Freeze a few dinners by making a double batch of the children's favorite meals. Lasagnas, soups, breaded chicken, and other items that freeze easily are great things to store away for while you're gone. Make sure anything else your replacement nanny might need is also stocked, such as laundry detergent, diapers, shampoo and conditioner for the children. 

2.  Give Your Bosses Ample Warning
   Give plenty of advanced notice to your employers. Leaving them scrambling for back-up care isn't the best idea when you'll be out for several days, so do what you can to give them ample warning and time to plan for your absence. Don't drop your vacation plans on them a week or two before!
3. Offer to Help Find Back-up Care
nanny is taking vacation
   Line up some replacements for each of the days you'll be gone, or give suggestions of nannies they could call and interview if they would prefer to take the lead. Ask around if any of your nanny friends can cover any of the days you'll be gone. If your employers would prefer to interview your replacement themselves, ask your friends if you can pass along their contact information. ​Use your nanny network!

4.  Prepare the Children
   Encourage the children to show the fill-in nanny just how lovely they truly are. Give them tips on how to make the fill-in nanny feel right at home, and remind them to be on their best behavior while you're gone. Children want to make us proud, and when we have high expectations, they will meet them!
5.  Prepare the Fill-In Nanny
​    Jot down notes of your routines and general day-to-day duties. You don't have to write an entire handbook, but it can be helpful to put into writing what your typical schedule looks like, to make the transition as easy as possible both for the family and for your replacement. Write down some of the children's favorite foods, favorite local parks, or favorite bedtime stories. These tips will go a long way in making your absence as easy as possible for your nanny family. But it will also show them just how much you care about their family and are paying attention to their children. 
nanny is taking vacation

Are you a nanny wondering how else you can prepare your nanny-family for your time off? Have any words of wisdom of your own? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Changes to Minimum Wage Laws for NYC Nannies and Housekeepers

1/17/2019

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If you've ridden on the subway in recent weeks, you will have noticed numerous ads for the new raise in minimum wage here in NYC. As of December 31st, 2018, New York City employees will see the third raise in minimum wage since 2016. This newest increase is part of a law signed into action by Governor Cuomo, which promised a new minimum wage of $15/hour for all New York State employees by the end of 2019. This new minimum, however, is being enacted gradually and differentially - based on the employer's size and location. We'll break it down to what the new minimum wage in NYC might mean for you, the nannies of New York City!

new minimum wage in NYC



​The Details of Change for NYC Nannies 

If you work as a nanny here in NYC, chances are you are the sole employee for your nanny family, or one of a handful of domestic staff. The new minimum wage in NYC for employers with 10 or fewer employees is $13.50/hour. This rate will increase to $15/hr at the end of 2019. But, for now, if you are employed among less than 10 others you can expect to be making at minimum $13.50 an hour. If you are employed among more than 10 other employees, the new minimum wage is $15/hour. 

What Does This Mean for NYC Nannies and Housekeepers?

new minimum wage in NYC
A nanny or other household worker must be paid the minimum wage for every hour they work. If the state-enacted minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage, the state-law must be followed. Live-out nannies are entitled to an overtime rate for any hours worked over 40 hours/week; live-in nannies' overtime rates begin after 44.

At the new minimum rate of $13.50 an hour for NYC employees - a full-time nanny working 40 hours/ week can expect to make $540/week. But as we know, most nannies work more than that. For a nanny working 7am-7pm, 60 hours a week, their minimum wage is now $945/week. Starting December 31, 2019, 60 hours will be a minimum of $1,050.

Will Nannies Take a Minimum Wage?

     It depends.  While the new minimum wage for NYC employees is a commendable move in the right direction for workers' rights nationwide, the fact of the matter is that it is darn near impossible to survive here on $540/week, pre-tax, even with over time in place.
​
    Qualified nanny professionals with experience, extra trainings, and credentials are often considering going the agency route when searching for new employment at a live-able salary, as referrals are often not at the level of professionalism they need, and the reputation of online sitter-services is poor, with the assertion from many being that these sites have normalized low hourly-rates, due to the amount of entry-level nannies using these services.
   If you're an inexperienced sitter looking to break into the field and pick up some babysitting on the side, online sitter-services are often the route for you until you become more qualified. However, if you are a professional nanny, looking for a full-time role, then you do not need to compete with entry-level caretakers for cash-positions. 

If you've been working as a nanny for at least two straight years, then you are no longer an entry-level employee. If you are CPR Certified, have education coursework, a background in teaching, experience with newborns, or any other marketable childcare assets, then you are well above minimum wage, in the $18-20/hr range.
     Working with an agency ensures that your particular skillset and credentials will be highlighted to any potential employers. It also ensures that, at least through KITH & KIN, the families you're meeting will already have a standard of respect for their future employee, know their obligations on a living and viable "gross-pay" wage, guaranteed hours, sick and vacation time, and know from our first conversation that entry-level employees will not make it through our extensive nanny-vetting process. They also understand that they must be willing to give their nanny a certain standard of professional respect. 

What if I Can't Afford to Pay a Nanny More than the New Minimum Wage in NYC?

    We empathize with families facing this question, and the lack of access to affordable, quality childcare in New York City.  Families trying to juggle their careers and care for their children are feeling this pinch the most. If this change is hindering your ability to afford private childcare from an experienced nanny, eventually, a shift will have to occur in order for your family to secure the care you desire.
new minimum wage in NYC
For your job,  either the job and experience expectations will need to decrease, or the childcare budget will have to rise. Unable to do one of those two things, some families have looked into nanny-shares, live-in au-pairs whom are younger and less experienced, or whole-group childcare centers. While each of those three options are not as convenient as an experienced career nanny, over the past few years without this rise, it has become, and will continue to become, harder to find qualified nannies whom are able to be vetted fully and still pay $15/hr. 
      We know first-hand the cost of living and childcare here in NYC is extremely high. This is the reason why so many families weigh their careers and relocation out of the city. It is a tough conversation to have! ​

If you are a family interested in hiring a nanny in NYC and the greater metro area, and are confused about rates and taxes, get in touch with us here.  If you are a nanny with questions about your wages, we may be able to steer you to the right resource, so please get in touch here.

Have any additions questions about the new minimum wage in NYC? Ask us in the comments below!

- KITH & KIN
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Why You Should Insist to be Paid "On-the-Books"

11/27/2018

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Please note: this blogpost covers domestic employees in New York State. It is intended to educate nannies and housekeepers on the benefits of accepting legally paid salaries; it is not to replace the advice of a lawyer, as the laws that are constantly changing. Please consult a reputable payroll company such as HomeWork Solutions for more information on your specific state's domestic employment laws and procedures.

       We here at KITH & KIN often hear candidates state that they only want to be paid in cash, despite being able to accept legal pay, for many understandable reasons. While admittedly, it is the norm for many domestic workers to be paid illegally in cash (an estimated 75%!), there are a myriad of benefits and protections household employees lose out on by being paid in cash, and when accepting cash only for a nanny job, you are also assuming all risks for you and your family's future financial and health situation, especially should you find yourself out of work for a period of time -- a heavy and costly burden to bear! 
 

      With the advent of laws like Lulu and Leo's Law and many advocacy groups like the NDWA calling for better protections for both families and workers, the trend will be for more and more domestic workers to be paid in a legal manner. For this reason, we have compiled the benefits of legal pay. Here are our top 10 reasons why nannies and housekeepers should insist on being paid "on the books" right now. 

​1.  "Professional pay" translates to "professional treatment", and further legitimizes your work as a professional career. 

      When you are being paid in a manner  that is fully legal, you are far more likely to be viewed and treated with respect as a professional. That means you are far more likely to receive benefits such as guaranteed hours/minimum reliable salary per week, legal overtime, vacation and sick days, holiday pay, bonuses, and a contract that are a part of a total hiring package, much like professionals in other fields.

      When you insist on being paid legally, this demonstrates to a family that you take your job seriously as a professional who needs to be compensated fairly and legally for your work. It shows that you are committed to your work supporting them, and that you are also relying on them to support you as you make a long-term living, just as you would in any other field. 
     When your employer agrees to pay legally, they are demonstrating their belief that you deserve legal protections and benefits, just as they receive in their work, too!  Even though they may be offering a lot of great benefits like guaranteed minimum hours and paid time-off, they also believe that ethically, you deserve an extra level of protection as individual and professional.  ​

2.   You have secure income available, even if laid off.

      Let’s say that on Sunday night, you get a text from your boss that tomorrow, you are no longer needed because a spot opened at daycare, and their child starts the next morning. Now, most parents would not leave you high and dry without notice, (especially if you have a solid work agreement in place before the job commences!), however you may never know your employer's private financial situation or debts. They may appear to have it all, and then the economy crashes overnight, or they find out they have lost every penny to a Ponzi scheme, and now they find themselves unable to pay you the $2500 buffer you were relying on. Stranger things have happened; you need to be protected from situations that are outside of your control. 
    While domestic employees in New York are hired “at-will”, meaning you may be terminated without notice or reason at any time, unemployment is there to provide you with a financial buffer while you search for a new job.  If you’re laid off due to no fault of your own, and you are able to work in some industry, you are eligible - even in some instances of justifiable firing, you may still be eligible. This is only available to people who are paid legally in their most recent long-term position.

3. Medical costs or loss of income covered via Workmans Compensation if you’re injured on the job (State-by-State).

       Employers are required to provide Workers Compensation in New York State, regardless of the manner of payment. Any injury that occurs "on the clock" and requires medical treatment, or results in a loss of income, will have some, or all costs reimbursed in part by the state.  
Even if you are outside of NYS, should you have an injury that leads to a long leave from work, you may be eligible to receive Disability coverage from the government as well. This would cover part of your income, and make sure that you are not in an even larger financial bind.  If you are out of work because of an injury, but don't have traceable or substantial income reported, the income coverage would be significantly lowered, if available at all.

4.  You are eligible for Paid Family-Leave.

New in 2018, paid family-leave was signed into law in New York State for workers in all industries. This covers some of your salary if you need to take a leave of absence from your job; it is for military families, maternity and paternity leave (shout-out to dads!), time to bond when adopting and/or  fostering a child, or medical leave for you as individual or a family member you're caring for. 

 ​The details and benefits will upgrade year to year, but beginning in 2019,  you would be eligible for 10 weeks paid leave per year, up to 55% of your weekly salary, with a maximum of roughly $746/week; By 2021, 67% of your salary may be covered for up to 12 weeks. This is separate from FMLA, and is specific to New York State. For more information, click here.

5.  Protection in the event you, or your bosses, get audited by the government.

      Any employer who chooses to pay their employee 'under the table' runs the risk of being audited, particularly if all parents are working full-time, and they can't prove payments made for childcare. An audit will have their finances called into question by the government, and if your employer is audited, you too may be at risk for your portion of employment taxes. If your employer doesn't remit taxes on your behalf, you may be asked to account for those taxes by the government. While it is not the law that the employers withhold your portion of taxes in New York for you (you must request that they do this, and the majority do when using a payroll service), it is the law that you pay your portion. If it is not withheld, we recommend setting aside a conservative percentage based on your state in a separate savings account so you have enough to pay at the end of the year.
       If you or your employers were to be audited, the government makes a habit of looking back several years, meaning you could be set up on a hefty payment plan to hand over whatever amount you would have owed in taxes from previous years. 

6.  Provides verifiable, traceable income to rent or buy a home, car or other big-ticket purchases.​

      Should the day come when you want to make a big "life-investment", be it purchasing a new home or car, or even renting a new apartment, you will often be required to provide proof of income; not just for present time, but also from the past two years! Lenders want to make sure you are a consistent earner and responsible spender, and you will need a paper trail to prove your track-record of financial credibility. Cash-employees will often have a difficult (likely impossible) time providing legitimate proof of income that would hold up to scrutiny. This can be a real hold-up, and potential block, if you are in the throes of purchasing a home. 
        Not buying a car, home, or renting an apartment now? Think two or three years ahead. Even if your credit is terrible, First Time Homebuyer Loans make this dream possible for more people, so as home prices continue to rise, now is a great time to get on the books and start accepting legal pay! 

7.  Easier mental leap to start your career with legal pay now, rather than years in.

The bottom line here is, at some point in your life, whether you stay in the domestic industry or not, you will need to be paying your taxes. The security benefits for your entire family, reducing your risk of audit, or simply the fact that it is required in all other industries will be too hard for you to continue on the cash-only path throughout your whole career. 
Take it from us, the people who interview many qualified, career candidates who have been paid cash for years: it is very challenging for nannies and housekeeper to leap from a high dollar cash take-home salary per week to a far lower net wage. When you are not used to this, it will require a large lifestyle adjustment for yourself and family, when that time comes.
​

     Talking to your employer about transitioning from a cash-salary, to an "on the books" salary is going to take a big shift. Essentially your employer will have to make a drastic increase in your pre-taxed (gross) pay-rate in order for you to be taking home the same amount as you were before, and it's possible that financially, they simply cannot swing it, as they will be paying 12-25% more than they are used to, depending on where you live.

​       If your employer isn't able to increase your rate enough for you to be taking home a net-salary that is comparable to your cash salary,
 meet in the middle!  Start by taking a lower take-home wage, knowing that they are giving you a gross-wage raise. That being said, employees who are paid on the books, will also be eligible for a tax-return at the end of the fiscal year where you would get a portion of that back, so don't be too demanding of your employers if you really love your job in all other aspects.

8.  You’re building your Social Security fund, and making sure you’re eligible for disability benefits, too. ​

       Paying your taxes means that you are also paying into certain state and federal programs, which can benefit you directly down the road. Employees who are paid on-the-books are automatically paying a percentage of their paycheck into Social Security Disability and other retirement funds. 

        The amount of taxable income which you report to the government each year makes up your 'covered income' and directly affects the amount of money you may receive each month when you retire. In other words, if you pay in for 45 years instead of 10, you will have far more to retire on. Therefore, for your future, it's better to start paying income taxes sooner rather than later! ​

9.  Helps better protect you from “bad-apple” bosses.

      Finding a boss who is willing to pay you on-the-books, means that your boss is more likely to view you as an employee with certain inalienable rights.  A working agreement that is based on a clear contract and a taxed salary can protect you from various instances of employee discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment in the workplace, withholding of overtime, and various other workplace injustices.
        Many employers who pay cash may hesitate to put anything in writing to avoid a paper trail of employment in the event they were to be audited -- this translates to no work agreement for you or contract for you to fall back on or reference.

10.  Plainly, it’s the right thing to do!

      Last of all, paying your taxes is the right thing to do! The money you pay in taxes goes to many places. In addition to paying the salaries of government workers, your tax dollars also help to support common resources that we all utilize, such as safe and well-maintained roads, police and fire departments, post-offices, public libraries and parks, as well as caring for your fellow neighbors and children who presently may not be able to care for themselves.  



        In conclusion, starting a job with mutual professional respect is the best foot to start on. By you and your employer insisting to operate according to the law affirms that this is a true, professional career, with the commitment to integrity and respect toward both parties. 
​

But aren't nannies 1099 workers?  On the family/employer side of things, there is sometimes confusion about the classification of domestic employees and who is responsible for their taxes. However, make no mistake: by law, nannies and housekeepers are classified as household employees of the family, unless they are hired through a company who is paying them as an employee; nannies and housekeepers are not contractors. Families must provide you a W-2 at the end of the year.
​ 

Have a question about being paid or hiring "on-the-books" versus in cash? Send us an email and we will do our best to direct you to where you may find your answer. 
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Our Nanny Gift Guide

12/5/2017

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It's that time of year again! 

At the end of each year, it's pretty typical of families to provide some type of year-end bonus as a way to say thank you. (If this is new to you, check out our blogpost from last year here, detailing some of the "norms" in NYC.) In addition to a cash bonus, some families like to give a little gift to show the appreciation, too! While I don't recommend reducing the cash bonus much if at all, some families do choose heartfelt gifts for nannies as a little extra something.  
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​Needing a little inspiration?

Here below are 12 fun ideas and gifts for nannies for all budgets and all occasions!
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1.  "Bad" weather gear
​      •  As the saying goes, "There is no bad weather; only bad clothing."  When I was a nanny, I had clothing that simply could not brave the Upper West Side, Riverside Drive winds, and every spring, my rain boots would somehow tear, rendering them worthless. Quite frankly, I couldn't afford the awesome gear that my bosses had, even though I knew it was worth the investment!
      Nice boots, a rain or winter coat, or mittens make wonderful gifts for nannies, along with a note that says, "We appreciate your willingness to get out there and get the job done! Hope this makes your life a little easier!"  
Gifts for Nannies

2.  Nanny's Day Out:  self-care and pampering to the max!
     •   Getting a massage is wonderful! Your nanny may appreciate a gift certificate to a spa, but the crème de la crème is doing this while getting an extra paid half-day off!  What a nice treat.  If you have the ability to come home from work around noon to relieve your nanny, it will truly be a “Nanny's Day Out”. Book the appointment slot, and make it into a whole afternoon planned for their relaxation and rejuvenation. It doesn't have to be the highest end package! A simple massage plus the gesture of the whole "event" is incredibly touching.
      But, are they not much of a massage/pedicure/manicure person, or is that on the higher end of your budget? Get them a movie theater gift card instead, and put a date in the calendar to them off just a few hours early instead of a half day. 
Gifts for Nannies

3.  Nanny Swag!
     •   One of our favorite small businesses, Nanny Tees, has some cute gear that nanny's love - trust us! Coffee mugs, bags, hoodies, t-shirts... What more could a nanny want for a relaxed day off?
Gifts for Nannies
Gifts for Nannies

4.  INA membership
      •  Your nanny is a professional, and you respect that person as a vital part of your family. As such, providing them opportunities to develop as a professional is key! The mission of the International Nanny Association is to serve as the umbrella association for the in-home child care industry by providing information, education and guidance to the public and to industry professionals. By giving your nanny a membership, you're making a statement that you respect them as a professional and desire them to keep growing in their work! 
Gifts for Nannies

5.  Handmade goods from your kiddos
     •  Ok, I know this is a bit more traditional, but frankly, nannies are really touched by heartfelt, handmade goods that are memorable. When first nanny position in NYC ended, the children made me a flower pot, and it sits in my kitchen holding one of my favorite plants in it to this day. A picture frame is also nice with a photo of your nanny and children, too. Anything that is extra special will go a long way! There are some cool places in Brooklyn and Manhattan where you can spend the morning making memories with your children, and then pass along the crafts as a gift. Not just great gifts for nannies, but also great for grandparents, too!
Gifts for nannies

6.  Host a family dinner together with taste of their home flavor
     •  If your nanny isn't from your neck of the woods, research a regional dish or food item to give them a little taste of home. Don't wait long though - if it needs to be special ordered, do it now! You can even take it a step further and sit down together as a family with your nanny to show him or her your appreciation. Even if the dish doesn't taste 100% authentic, your nanny would be completely touched by the gesture and your efforts.

​7.  Matching socks!
      •  Want to make your nanny feel a part of the family? Get some fun socks for him or her, and also the kiddos! Your children will love matching with their best buddy. Just a little something cozy and fun to wear around the house. These are great gifts for nannies AND kids!
      We personally love Socks & Souls, a company that gives an additional free pair of socks to someone in need with each pair of socks purchased. Think Warby Parker and TOMS.
Gifts for Nannies

​8.  Gift card to get their car professionally detailed!
          •  Does your nanny drive your children around in their own car? Chances are, there has been some wear and tear. If you have a nanny or manny who is neat and orderly in other areas of their life, they may really appreciate having their car look brand-spankin' new!

​9.  Drinks for Days!
​     •  ​What drink does your nanny always have in her hand? (Or rather, wishes they had in their hand [if it's wine, you hopefully wouldn't see that on the job! ;)])  If it's coffee or a juice, get them a large gift card to their favorite place with a note that says, "Hope this will keep you warm through the winter (or healthy and strong through winter), as you push Kayden around town!" 
       If you'd really like to be an overachiever, stash the gift card inside a cute travel mug or to-go cup with a straw!
Gifts for Nannies

​
10.  "Tile" - a GPS gadget
     •   Has your nanny lost her keys before (and is this something they're able to laugh at yet? ;)) This cool little gadget comes in handy! It is a square little tile to clip on to a key ring, connect it with the app on a smart phone. When the keys are lost, pull up the app and it will tell you roughly where the item is located. Hooray! No keys lost again! 
Gifts for Nannies

11.  Something fancy!
     •   If your nanny has an eye for the finer things but doesn't treat themselves, a little spoiling never hurt anyone! Give him or her a nice designer handbag, or a gift card to a luxury store. Bloomingdales or Smythson, anyone?  These are really great gifts for nannies because they may not normally treat themselves to something so extravagant!

​12.  Out-of-NYC Wilderness Adventure 
     •  If you employ an adventurous, outdoorsy person, spring for a day-trip gift certificate for them (and maybe an extra gift certificate for them to bring a friend)! There are many hikes and overnight trips that leave right from Manhattan subways, with full transportation provided. Discover Outdoors or Destination Backcountry​ are two wonderful companies who sell gift cards.
Gifts for nannies


​We hope this guide helps! Remember that it's not what you give, but truly is the thought that counts. Your nanny will just appreciate you thinking of them, and as we all know, a job where you feel valued is a job you love to be at, and your all to. 
​

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Love, KITH & KIN
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