Here is a sample text to send to your employer(s) when you discover that they are underpaying you and that you could have benefits.
MomBoss and DadBoss,
I understand that you have concerns for the cost of childcare and I am happy to discuss.
I am thinking that maybe a Nanny is not the best fit for your family, but I am happy to work with you to find a balance that meets both of our needs.
As this is my full time job, I’m sure you can understand that I bring a skill set and I do work that is vital to helping you raise your child. This is no small task. While I love what I do, the purpose of work for me, and for anyone, is to make a living. In an ideal world we could all do what we love and do it for free, but in a realistic world we build our skill sets so that we can work jobs and make a fair and decent, livable wage. In North Carolina, the minimum wage is $[min wage]. Thanks to the Fair Labor Standards Act, it is also a requirement to be paid hourly, and to be paid overtime.
All this said, I would like to point out that my skill set and resume does show my value to have a rate closer to $[market rate]/hr.
I recognize that by not addressing this at the time of hire this situation is a little difficult, so I’m willing to discuss the minimum wage for the time being. With minimum wage for my hourly rate, and taking overtime over 40 hours into account, my guaranteed weekly paycheck moving forward will equal $[new total]. As is industry standard, this means when I am available to work and you do not need me, I will still earn this amount, due to holding my availability open for your needs long-term. In terms of my own personal time off, it is industry standard to get the equivalent of 1 week of sick time, and 1 week of vacation time.
Please look at each of your paychecks and benefits packages and consider what it would be like to work without these things.
My career is a Nanny. It may be different than your career, but it is still my job and things like a living wage, overtime, and personal time off are the bare minimum of benefits a full time work deserves to make. Moving forward until December 31, my weekly rate will be at $[new total] for [scheduled number of hours] hours, with any hours over being paid at the overtime rate of $[overtime rate]/hr.
At January 1 my rate will fairly move to $[market rate]/hr, with 1 week paid sick time and 1 week paid vacation of my choice. If this is not attainable for you, my last day will be December 31.
I will need this decision by November 15.
Happy to sit down and discuss more if needed. Thank you for your understanding.
*your name*
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