It’s that time of year again. The regular round of articles giving advice on the end-of-year bonus or tip for your nanny. (First thought: it’s never a good idea to use the word “tip” when talking about the person who cares for your child every day.) But the nanny bonus isn’t as simple as picking a number that seems about right, writing a check and sticking it in a card. Most employers would be surprised at how much the nanny bonus impacts the long term success of the employment relationship. Many times it’s the saving grace or the last straw in a difficult year or a strained nanny / family relationship. So let’s talk about how many nannies see things.
It’s not about the money.
To many nannies, the end-of-year bonus is infused with all kinds of meaning and emotion. It’s how employers show they value the wonderful care the nanny provides day after day. It’s how employers say thank you for handling last minute scheduling changes, dirty dishes left in the sink or other “not in the job description” things with a smile and a positive attitude. It’s how employers show they notice and are grateful for the nanny’s flexibility, pitch-in attitude and professionalism. The end-of-year bonus is an expression of how much a nanny is loved and appreciated.
It’s all about the money.
While money isn’t the main motivator for nannies, it does matter. Even when it’s not talked about openly, a yearly bonus is an expected part of the compensation package for most nannies. How much the nanny expects depends on a few different factors. Here’s a quick rundown.
Nanny’s Base Wages The higher the wage, the higher the bonus. The industry standard is one to two weeks’ wages.
Job Description The more difficult or extensive the job, the bigger the bonus.
Years on Job Long-term caregivers get a heftier bonus than nannies who’ve only been with a family a short time. Continuity of care is an essential factor in the health and well-being of every child and that value is reflected in the bonus amount.
Family’s Financial Situation This is where emotion and the dollar amount meet. If a family cuts corners to pay their nanny a competitive wage, the nanny is happy with a modest bonus. However if a family spends generously on other things, the nanny expects their bonus to be in line with that level of spending. In other words, if the family regularly spends $350 on a Friday night out with the kids, a $500 end-of-year bonus won’t make the nanny very happy.
COVID COVID has impacted pretty much everything in our lives and the end-of-year nanny bonus isn’t any different. During “the COVID years” most nannies really stepped up and pitched in in ways that made it possible for employers to keep their jobs, for kids to keep learning, for households to keep running, and overall for parents to stay sane. Nannies were happy to do it , however it took a significant toll on caregivers. The burnout felt within the nanny community during the lockdown and virtual learning period cannot be overstated. AND IT’S NOT OVER. Nannies are still feeling the effects even though many things have gone back to “normal”. This year’s end-of-year bonus will be seen as part of how employers recognize, acknowledge, and appreciate all their nanny does in this new normal. The lack of a bonus or one that feels lacking will leave most nannies feeling like their hard work and extra effort hasn’t been valued.
Why is this such a loaded issue?
The problem with the typical end-of-year nanny bonus is that it’s a combination of a holiday gift – something personal – and a performance based part of the compensation package – something professional. Those two things just don’t go well together. Expectations are misaligned, boundaries are blurred, and assumptions run amuck. Fortunately this is one area where you can easily separate the personal from the professional, strengthening both parts in the process.
My solution.
Instead of providing the typical end-of-year bonus, I suggest employers provide their nanny with a simple, heartfelt gift during the holidays and a performance based bonus paid on their yearly anniversary.
The gift, maybe a gift card to a favorite store or a handmade keepsake crafted by your child, is a great way to show your nanny how much they mean to your family on a personal level. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with them.
The bonus, tied directly to their performance, is a great way to show them how they’re doing professionally. This process of review and reward gives you the opportunity to update your job description as your child’s and family’s needs change, pinpoint areas that need improvement, showcase accomplishments and talk about goals for the upcoming year (e.g. potty training, letter recognition, learning to swim). A performance based bonus gives your nanny a sense of professional identity and pride, something that’s often missing in our informal industry. All these things help keep your employment relationship on the right track.
For families moving from end-of-year to hire anniversary bonuses, it’s important to provide a smaller, transition bonus with the understanding there will be an additional bonus on their nanniversary. To make sure you’re not throwing your nanny’s budget out of whack, ask if they’re planning to use their bonus for an immediate need. If so, you’ll want to start the new system in the new year.
What if you can’t afford the standard one to two weeks’ bonus?
For some families, that amount is simply outside their childcare budget. That’s OK, nannies know when a family is truly prioritizing childcare and doing as much as they can for their nanny. Nannies see and appreciate the effort and are happy with the bonus the family can afford. In these cases, it’s the sentiment behind the dollars that counts.
Using Bonuses as an Incentive for Longevity
Adding in long-term bonuses (e.g. an additional amount at 3, 7, and 10 years) sends a clear message to your nanny that you value longevity and gives your nanny a financial incentive for staying year after year. My clients often add long-term bonuses to their contracts and have found them to be very helpful in keeping a great caregiver over the long haul. If they’re planning to use the money for an immediate need, you might need to put the structure in place starting next year.
I encourage you to look at the bigger picture when deciding on your nanny’s bonus this year. With a little planning, it can be both a great perk for them and a great investment for you.
In her 30 years in the nanny industry, she’s earned a reputation for providing a unique blend of common-sense strategies, intuitive guidance, and real world tools to her parent and nanny clients.She’s also a certified mediator, conflict coach, communications trainer, and positive discipline parent educator.
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