A household employer must understand the federal, state, and local employment laws that pertain to his or her household. Many laws require the employer to obtain, file, and submit necessary paperwork. Tax laws also have paperwork requirements, such as reporting wages...
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Employing a Nanny
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Nanny Staying Overnight? How to Prepare
Q: We use a nanny occasionally in the mornings and afternoons, but we are going out of town and she will be staying two nights with the kids. She has never stayed overnight before. What do we need to know? How should she prepare? A: A nanny staying overnight on...
Hiring a Nanny: the Family Interaction Test
There are many concerns to consider when you are involved in hiring a nanny or other household employee, as well as many legalities to abide by to ensure equitable and fair employment opportunities. By taking the hiring process one step at a time, you can proceed with...
First Steps to Becoming a Household Employer
The IRS defines a household employer as any person who employs housekeepers, maids, gardeners, and others who work in and around an individual’s private residence. A nanny is an example of such an employee. In becoming a household employer, it is critical that you...
Tattoo Policy for Nannies
Q: My nanny wants to get a tattoo. Can I ask her not to do so, or require that she cover it while in my home? A: An issue like this warrants a discussion with your nanny, and in this case it's fortunate that she brought up the idea with you beforehand, as opposed to...
Your Kid Has Lice? Don’t Panic!
By Deb Medina If you are a parent with kids in school, you have probably gotten a letter in the backpack indicating “a reported case of lice in your child’s class.” As you start to panic a little while checking your child’s head, you might wonder if you really even...
Affordable Care Act Changes May Affect Household Employers
When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect several years ago, it provided transitional relief for small employers. As of July 1, 2015, it no longer offers that relief and the following Affordable Care Act changes for household employers are now true: An...
Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions from Nannies
We hear many questions from both current and prospective nannies about what it means to be a household employee, but sometimes we hear some not-so-frequently asked questions, such as the ones below, that bring important issues to light. Q: I am a nanny and my employer...
Workers’ Compensation for a Bee Sting?
Workers' compensation insurance for nannies and other household employees is becoming a crucial issue for household employers to address, and here in New York, if you employ a nanny who works 40 hours in any week of the year, you are required to have coverage. Without...