It’s a scenario that’s all too common for nannies and babysitters. What starts off as a job caring for the kids slowly devolves into a job caring for the kids … and grocery shopping … and vacuuming … and running errands for mom or dad. Been there? Then you’ve experienced job creep.
“Nanny job creep is when additional duties or responsibilities are added on by an employer, without extra compensation,” explains Michelle LaRowe, lead educator at NannyTraining.com and author of “Nanny to the Rescue!” “If you’re willing to take on the additional tasks [or not], it’s important you communicate with your employer and advocate for a written work agreement if you don’t already have one.”
“If you’re willing to take on the additional tasks [or not], it’s important you communicate with your employer and advocate for a written work agreement if you don’t already have one.”
—Michelle LaRowe, lead educator at NannyTraining.com
Kim Morgan, International Nanny Association’s 2020 Nanny of the Year, agrees that communication is key when it comes to job creep. “I know a lot of nannies get scared when broaching the subject of what’s expected in terms of duties and compensation, but in my book, things are either a yes or a no,” she says. If you’re not willing to take on certain duties the employer wants you to do, then it might be time to part ways, says Morgan.
Feel like your job isn’t what you signed up for? Here’s how to address nanny job creep, or better yet, prevent it from happening in the first place.
What should nanny duties include?
All the veteran nannies we spoke to agreed: Nanny duties typically encompass all child-related chores. “This varies significantly from job to job and should be spelled out in detail in the work agreement upfront,” notes Laura Schroeder, president of the International Nanny Association and full-time nanny in Charleston, South Carolina. “But the basics include child care, such as feeding and diapering; educational activities; documenting the day; and cleaning up after oneself.”
Here’s a more specific list of nanny duties, according to LaRowe:
- Providing attentive care.
- Preparing the children’s meals.
- Doing the children’s laundry.
- Tidying up after the children.
- Keeping the children’s areas tidy.
- Assisting with schoolwork.
- Planning activities.
- Maintaining the children’s calendar.
- Transporting the children.
To make things simpler for herself, Morgan has a rule when it comes to the kitchen: You leave it as you meet it.
“First thing [I do] after I arrive to work each morning is ensure the kitchen is tidy, as that’s where I’ll be preparing all meals for my charge,” Morgan says. “I clean the counters even though I know I cleaned them before leaving the day before. And I ask parents to make sure the sink is cleared of all dirty dishes that were used after I left.”
What tasks go beyond typical nanny duties?
Technically speaking, anything unrelated to the kids doesn’t fall under the umbrella of typical nanny duties. But like Schroeder said, every job (and nanny) is different — so what feels like something that’s out of the scope for one caregiver may not for the other.
“You will never see me scrub a toilet, and I ensure during the interview process that my potential employers have cleaners for heavy cleaning,” Schroeder says. “Other nannies don’t mind some cleaning. I, on the other hand, don’t mind cooking dinner for the entire family, doing the entire family’s laundry and all the shopping. Ultimately, it all comes down to preference and compensation.”
“Other nannies don’t mind some cleaning. I, on the other hand, don’t mind cooking dinner for the entire family, doing the entire family’s laundry and all the shopping. Ultimately, it all comes down to preference and compensation.”
—Laura Schroeder, president of the International Nanny Association
The most important thing, no matter the job specifics, is that you’ve agreed on the job description before extra work is given to you — because that right there is job creep.
Another thing to consider if you’re concerned your employer is taking advantage of you: How frequently are they giving you extra tasks? “If asked occasionally to pick up something from the cleaners or drop something off at the post office, I wouldn’t have a problem,” Morgan says. “But don’t expect it to be my job. If I see it happening too frequently, I then ask to have a sit-down conversation.”
What is considered “light housekeeping” for a nanny?
According to LaRowe, “light housekeeping” is the worst word in the nanny industry since it’s subjective. “It’s probably easier to describe what light housekeeping isn’t,” she says, listing the following tasks that don’t fall under the “light housekeeping” category:
- Scrubbing toilets.
- Deep cleaning.
- Mopping the floors.
If your employer hasn’t offered specific details of what “light housekeeping” encompasses, LaRowe recommends using common sense and taking it to mean cleaning up after the kids and yourself.
“In a general sense, light housekeeping means leaving the home in the same or better condition as to when you found it.”
—Michelle LaRowe
“Making breakfast for the kids? Wipe down the counter. Track mud into the house after a walk? Wipe it up. Have fun in the playroom? Clean up the toys. Notice the nursery rug is dirty and the baby is a crawler? Give it a quick vacuum,” she says. “In a general sense, light housekeeping means leaving the home in the same or better condition as to when you found it.”
How to set boundaries from the start
Put simply: Once you’re hired, hash out the exact job description and compensation and put it in writing in a nanny contract, babysitter contract or similar written agreement. “It’s essential,” says Sue Downey, a professional nanny of over 20 years in Philadelphia. “It protects the nanny and the family and sets a foundation for good communication.”
Also, Morgan says, a contract gives you a written reference if things start changing.
Here are a few things that should be included in a nanny contract, according to Downey, which will help ensure a professional working relationship:
- A specific outline of job responsibilities.
- Compensation.
- Boundaries and expectations of both parties.
“[A nanny contract] protects the nanny and the family and sets a foundation for good communication.”
— SUE DOWNEY, PROFESSIONAL NANNY
This sample nanny contract can also serve as a good starting point.
Then the first time your employer asks you to do something outside the written agreement, you should either agree or disagree right there in the moment, according to Schroeder. “If you decide to take on the task, make it clear that it will only be a one time thing,” she says.
What to do if you haven’t set boundaries and job creep sets in
“If you haven’t established previous boundaries or it’s gotten out of control, it’s time to ask for a sit-down meeting to re-negotiate, Schroeder says. “If you don’t want the extra work, stress the fact that child care comes first and you need to prioritize your time toward the children. If the employer disagrees, then it probably isn’t a good fit anymore.”
On the flip side, if you don’t mind the extra work, but feel you’re being taken advantage of, go into the meeting prepared with “the reasoning of why you deserve an increase in pay due to the increased workload,” Schroeder says.
In some cases, LaRowe notes that a nanny position may be upgraded or evolve into a nanny/household assistant or household manager position, but again, this is to be negotiated.
How to ask for a raise when you’ve been given extra work
Before broaching the subject of raise, or a meeting about one, Schroeder advises making a list of the added responsibilities you’ve taken on, along with an idea of what said responsibilities are worth, based on the market value in your area. “Knowledge is power,” she assures.
If you’re more comfortable keeping things on the casual side, LaRowe recommends asking your employer for a suggestion of how to fit in new responsibilities (if you’re willing to do them).
“Say something like: ‘It seems like leaving the dishes in the sink overnight and having me do them in the morning works for you. It’s not working for me because I can’t prepare breakfast until I do them, as there is no workspace available. Would you like me to start my day 15 minutes early so that I can take care of those for you?’” she says.
Another option for bringing it up: At your review. “If a family has a new baby or if the job duties have increased enough that you feel a wage increase is due,” says LaRowe, “a great time to bring up the topic is at your six-month or annual review. If you don’t have one scheduled, ask for one and use the review as an opportunity to ask for a raise, if one is not offered.”
