In the corporate business world, many companies require their employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement stating that any private and confidential information they come across must remain safe, as employees are privy to reports, policies, procedures, and other internal business-related communications. The world of household employment, while in a very different setting, is not so […]
READ MOREIs My Nanny an At-Will Employee?
By A New England Nanny 7 0Yes, nannies are at-will employees. In every U.S. state except Montana, employment is presumed to be at-will, meaning either the employer or the employee can legally terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. The employer has not guaranteed employment for a period of time, and the […]
READ MORECan You Manage Your Nanny’s Off Duty Behavior?
By A New England Nanny 8 0Let’s say a family friend saw your nanny at a social event, and they told you your nanny was engaged in questionable behavior (drinking, foul language, etc.). Managing your nanny’s off duty behavior may be a concern. Can you tell your employee how to behave when they’re not on the clock? How much influence do you have? While employers […]
READ MORESaying Goodbye to Your Nanny
By A New England Nanny 9 0All good things, and possibly some bad things, must come to an end. One of the most difficult aspects of being an employer is to face the end of an employee relationship, whether terminating an employee or dealing with a resignation. There are certain ways to handle the end of a relationship, which should be […]
READ MORECan I Make My Nanny Get a Flu Shot?
By A New England Nanny 7 0‘Tis the season! As temperatures fall, the risk of illness rises. This is the time of year that many physicians recommend getting the flu vaccine. But some household employees may not want to get it. Families might be concerned, especially with nannies, that someone spending so much close time with children is not vaccinated. Can […]
READ MOREInterviewing a Nanny: Asking About Disabilities
By A New England Nanny 5 1Q: We will be interviewing a nanny who came highly recommended. But we have heard from a friend that this nanny has been in and out of the hospital lately due to back pain. Is this something we can ask her about during the interview? A: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), asking […]
READ MORETattoo Policy for Nannies
By A New England Nanny 7 0Q: 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 […]
READ MOREWorkers’ Compensation for a Bee Sting?
By A New England Nanny 8 0Workers’ 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 coverage, if your nanny is injured or becomes sick […]
READ MOREBest Practices When Terminating Your Nanny
By A New England Nanny 6 1No one wants to be in the position of terminating the employment of a nanny or other household worker. Making the process smoother starts with establishing policies and procedures at the time of hire. Here are some quick tips to terminating a household employee the right way: When the Employee is Hired Establish detailed information […]
READ MORESexual Harassment Policy for Household Employers
By A New England Nanny 6 0A sexual harassment policy stipulates that no nanny or other employee should be subject to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature or that shows hostility to the employee because of his or her gender. Sexual harassment can have devastating effects on the workplace. Therefore, household employers need to take every step […]
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