How to Draft a Successful Nanny Work Agreement

A Nanny Work Agreement Guide for Clarity and Job Satisfaction

At Super Nanny Certified, we are dedicated to educating nannies as to all the ways that the job may or may not work in their favor. We are passionate about providing you with the tools you need to ensure your happiness in your job which is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to draft a nanny working agreement with your employers.

A working agreement between a nanny and her employers is not the same as a nanny contract. While both documents are important, a working agreement focuses more on defining the daily duties and responsibilities, thus setting clear boundaries and expectations for the nanny’s role.

Here’s why this is significant:

1. Job Clarity: A working agreement explicitly outlines the nanny’s daily, monthly, and yearly tasks, responsibilities, and the schedule she is expected to follow. This clear delineation prevents the nanny’s job from expanding arbitrarily and ensures she knows exactly what her role entails.
2. Boundaries: A key purpose of a working agreement is to set firm boundaries for the nanny’s role. This could cover everything from the exact hours she is expected to work, her involvement in household chores unrelated to childcare, or her role in disciplining the children. This ensures the nanny isn’t tasked with duties beyond her original role.
3. Prevents Job Creep: “Job creep” is when the scope of a role gradually expands without commensurate compensation or recognition. By clearly defining the nanny’s duties, a working agreement prevents this from happening, protecting the nanny from being overwhelmed with additional tasks not related to her job.
4. Clear Expectations: By setting down in writing what the nanny’s duties and responsibilities are, it ensures that both parties have the same understanding of what the job entails. This reduces potential misunderstandings or conflicts in the future.
5. Respect and Professionalism: A working agreement acknowledges the professional nature of the nanny’s role and establishes mutual respect. It shows the nanny that her employers value her work and are committed to maintaining clear, reasonable expectations.
6. Improved Working Relationship: When expectations and boundaries are clearly defined from the start, it allows for a better working relationship. The nanny feels more secure knowing exactly what is expected, and the employers are assured that their needs are understood and will be met.

While a nanny contract is a more formal document that outlines the legal and financial aspects of the nanny’s role, a working agreement serves as a comprehensive guide to the everyday duties and boundaries of the nanny’s job, offering both the nanny and her employers a clear, mutually-agreed-upon definition of the role to maintain peace within the working relationships.

How to Draft a Work Agreement

Creating a working agreement can be a collaborative and constructive process. Here’s a guide to help a nanny approach constructing such an agreement with her employers during the interview process and the initial weeks of her job:

1. Research and Preparation: Before the interview, the nanny should think about what she’s comfortable doing in her role and her limits. This includes the number of working hours, types of duties, discipline methods, and so forth. This preparation will help her articulate her needs and expectations during the interview.
2. Open Discussion during Interview: During the interview, the nanny should bring up the topic of a working agreement. She should explain its importance, how it can set clear expectations, and how it helps to create a positive working relationship. The discussion should cover her duties, working hours, child care methods, and any other job-related aspects that are important to her.
3. Draft the Agreement: After the discussions, the nanny can draft an initial working agreement based on her understanding of the role and her conversation with the employers. It should be detailed, covering all aspects of her role, and written in a simple, clear language.
4. Review and Feedback: Share the draft agreement with the employers, and be open to their feedback. Make any necessary revisions to ensure it reflects the understanding of both parties.
5. Trial Period: The first few weeks on the job can be treated as a trial period. This period allows the nanny and the employers to understand each other better, get comfortable with the routine, and adjust any details of the working agreement based on real-life experience.
6. Regular Check-ins: During these initial weeks, the nanny should have regular check-ins with the employers to discuss how things are going and if any changes need to be made to the working agreement.
7. Finalize the Agreement: After the trial period and adjustments, the working agreement can be finalized. Both the nanny and the employers should have a signed copy.
8. Revisiting the Agreement: It’s important to understand that as children grow and circumstances change, the working agreement may need revisions. Regular reviews of the agreement will ensure it continues to meet everyone’s needs.

Remember, the goal is to create an agreement that respects and meets the needs of both the nanny and her employers. Open communication, flexibility, and mutual respect are key to this process.

If you find that your employers shy away from the process, this could be a red flag that their communication skills may need some patience on your part or that they are wary of giving themselves boundaries, the results of which will certainly come at the expense of your well-being. Consider if this is the type of employer that best fits your needs and consider your options, which may include seeking employment elsewhere.