A work agreement is critical in establishing clear parameters between the hired nanny and the family employer. The most effective work agreement is put in writing and covers all aspects of detailed work duties in the home; from daily schedule to required duties, compensation, benefits, termination and a confidentiality clause. Not having a work agreement in place prior to hiring can ultimately lead to dissatisfaction for both parties as well as high employee turnover. Make sure a work agreement is established to create clear objectives for the household and your nanny. This one step will build a long-lasting relationship and a smooth-running household.

Nanny’s Job Description

Work agreements and job descriptions work together. Essentially, both documents contain the same relevant information except that a job description is developed prior to a nanny’s hire and a work agreement is developed post-employment. In a nutshell, the job description is a detailed, thorough listing of all the work that is to be done by the nanny. Before you compose your job description, think about all you want to accomplish through this new household hire. In doing so, consider all the skills, abilities and talents your nanny must have to successfully accomplish all that is required on the job.

For example, you might need your nanny to pick-up your children from school daily at 3pm. In which case, your nanny must have a satisfactory driving record, transportation and a driver’s license. You might also want to consider the following:

• Will the nanny be required to prepare and feed children breakfast, lunch and/or snacks?
• Will the nanny be expected to clean the kitchen and lunch dishes post-snack time?
• Will the household employee need to answer the telephone and take messages?
• When mail comes, will the nanny be expected to sign for receipt of mail and packages?
• Does an employee need any sort of specific clothing or gear for outings and daily activities?

These considerations are all important details that must be considered when you interview and hire your household nanny help. If you are seeking a nanny and want the main focus to be on caring for the children in the home, then you may want to consider hiring a second individual for maintaining the household chores. Every house is different and every family has specific needs that must be addressed to keep the home running at optimum levels. Make sure you consider a detailed list of chores and expectations prior to submitting a job description to a nanny or nanny agency.

The Family-Nanny Work Agreement

The work agreement is, perhaps, the most important document involved in the nanny hiring process. This document, created by the employer and nanny together will make all the difference in workplace satisfaction and a lasting relationship. Not only will it prevent problems from occurring down the line, but it will set the tone for open, clear communication.

Obviously, the most important reason for establishing a written agreement is to ensure clear conditions for employment. All relationships evolve after what is known as the honeymoon period, and verbal agreements often become fuzzy after so long which can lead to strain on the nanny-family relationship. The work agreement outlines the commitments in a professional manner and creates a serious tone for the household position. This will ultimately alleviate any employment disputes over workload, hours, etc.

Creating an In-House Work Agreement

A home employer does not necessarily have to hire an attorney to draw up a work agreement. However, if you have an attorney working on your behalf, it doesn’t hurt to draw from that professional’s expertise. It is good to know that many nanny placement agencies offer work agreement templates to assist in the proper transition of newly-hired nannies. Ask your nanny agency if they can provide you with a template of their in-house work agreement or refer you to any additional resources you might draw from.

When creating a formal work agreement, keep the following elements in mind:

• Recitals (Employer is an individual and a household employer, residing in _______, and over the age of 18).
• Employment (Employment under said agreement is to begin on ____ and continue unless otherwise terminated as set forth herein).
• Compensation (Employee, subject to the following provisions of the agreement, will be paid a gross compensation hourly rate of $_____).
• Benefits (Said employee is entitled to ___ days paid vacation, annually. Vacation must be scheduled 3 weeks in advance and agreed to by the employer. Vacation will be based on the normal payment for a regular 40-hour work week).
• Terms and Conditions of Employment (Employer may terminate employment of employee for violations of the work agreement as stated. An employee may not drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke while on duty).
• Modifications and Interpretation (The job description may change by mutual consent and must be adjusted to represent said changes).
• Applicable Laws (The provisions of this work agreement shall be constructed in proper accordance with the laws in the state of _____).
• Signature and Date Line (Nanny and employer should sign and date the original and each revision of the work agreement).
• Work Schedule (Provide additional detail of a daily/weekly schedule, breaking down a day by the hour, if possible, to show even minute details).