Paid time off and/or holiday bonus for nanny
Hello, we are first time parents and have a wonderful nanny who has worked with us about two months now. We would like to give her a year end/holiday bonus of some kind and are wondering what would be appropriate. I've seen the recommendation of one week's salary. We are also going to be out of town for the holidays (2-3 weeks) and will pay her during that time per our contract. Paying a full month's salary while we are away is very steep and would be difficult for us. Is it enough to give the paid 2-3 weeks off or is an additional bonus expected? I'm thinking maybe a smaller bonus might be sufficient as a holiday gift? Thanks!
Dec 12, 2019
Parent Replies
Of course do what is feasible for your family-- however even with holiday paid time off, a bonus of a weeks pay is standard.
Giving 2-3 weeks of paid time off seems like a generous enough holiday bonus to me.
The BPN nanny share results showed that about half of people do one week's salary as a bonus, but quite a few families do more than that- with quite a few doing two weeks salary. I think it's quite normal to go away during the holidays and have to pay during that time and to pay a year end bonus- I don't actually see them as related. I do understand though that since the nanny has only been employed 2 months that this may seem like a lot. One suggestion would be to discuss with her tying her bonus to her one year anniversary as opposed to doing it as a "year end bonus." Then you can plan for it, she would also know when to expect it and it may keep her engaged vs. not getting the bonus at all that her colleagues will be getting. We just got lucky that our nanny started at the first of the year last year, so this is a year end/one year bonus and raise time all at once. I think many companies prorate bonuses if they only do them at the end of the year, so you could also frame it that way.
We did 2 week paid time off which is expected. Holiday bonus is nice and common but I don’t think a full week pay is obligatory especially considering the nanny’s short tenure with your family. we did $300 bonus for the first year and $400 bonus the following year and a full week pay for the last year when we had a nanny. We also did $100 gift on the nanny’s birthday, paid public holidays, gas reimbursement and included a lot of other perks (YMCA, zoo, fairyland membership for her and her kids, flexibility to bring her kid when needed, dinner when she stayed later, fruits, drinks and snacks always available)
I would not make it about the payment while you are gone if it is mandated in your contract but rather due to her short tenure with you. Most employer pro-rate bonuses so even if you were going to do a one week bonus you could multiply it by 2/12 since she only worked for you two months and give her a much smaller bonus and explain that it is pro-rated if asked so she knows to expect a bigger one next year, assuming you think you would be able to manage it then. Good luck!