Are You a Nanny? You Need an Effective Nanny Contract

People use legal contracts, such as employment agreements, to safeguard their interests. People also use legal contracts to promote effective work relationships, such as with nannies.

If you have provided nanny care for a child or children, you may be familiar with something called a nanny employment contract or nanny work agreement. A nanny contract, put simply, is an employment agreement between parents and their nanny. It can address a wide range of things.  Although a nanny contract is not legally required in most states, it can be a very useful tool for everyone involved, and you should therefore have a general understanding of what it is and the factors that a family may be looking for.

The first thing that this contract usually outlines is that it is a legal agreement for child care services. Stated another way, the document details that it is an employment agreement where you are the employee and the parents are the employer. The contract also details your primary job duties, namely, the care of the children. The contract also usually addresses house rules, such as limiting mobile phone use and the invitation of house guests.

You should look for clauses in the contract that specify whether you have to perform additional duties such as cleaning or other household chores, such as washing clothes, feeding, reading, transporting and playing among other things. Looking for these additional duties can help avoid misunderstandings after you have started work for your family.

Of course, a major part of the nanny work contract will also be the wages and overtime pay. You not only want the employment agreement to outline how much and how often you will be paid, but you also want to address other necessary details such as the deduction of state and federal taxes as well as workers’ compensation andunemployment insurance. You should also make sure details such as sick leave, holidays, and vacation are addressed.

You should also make sure the contract discusses the living arrangements, as some nannies live with the family. If you will be a live-in nanny, you may want to specify that you are to have private accommodations close to the children. You will also want matters such as travel and transportation mentioned in the contract and also whether you will be expected to accompany the family on vacations or other outings.

A nanny employment agreement is a great way to address concerns that you or your family may have. And remember to review the nanny employment contract with your family carefully and make sure it is something that will leave all parties happy.  Doing so will allow you to focus on what really matters – the care of the children.