Nanny bonuses are discretionary. That being said, the main constant I can report is that if a nanny is not happy with his or her bonus they will often search for a new nanny job without explaining his or her dissatisfaction with his or her employers. As much as I try to encourage nannies to discuss their thoughts with their employers, most refuse.
It is especially frustrating when nannies explain that, while they are happy with their family and position, they are unwilling to discuss the fact that they are unhappy with their holiday or year-end bonus. Instead, they will simply resign. On the few occasions that the nanny takes my advice, the situation is rectified right away and is never an issue again. There is a reason why January-March is one of our busiest times.
What Constitutes a Nanny Bonus?
Throughout my twenty year career I have seen bonuses for nannies and household staff in the form of homes (yes, a home/condo/coop/rental), cars, boats, clothing, sporting event tickets, electronics (computers, lap tops, iPads etc), gym memberships, exotic vacations, expensive art, spa retreats, retirement accounts, funding of children’s education and the most popular of all nanny bonuses… CASH.
I have seen incredible generosity that can only be explained by an employer who truly understands and appreciates the role the nanny or household staff member fills in their lives. I have also seen normally generous people either through ignorance, or arrogance resist for the sake of resisting and/or because they are caught up in an old way of thinking. Sometimes it’s just easier for some people to give.
The Importance of Giving
Families that don’t see their staff as partners will never bring the best out of people. Nannies that don’t understand the role that they fill and the importance of that role in the home should get new jobs as housekeepers.
A nanny Christmas bonus (or bonus at another significant time of the year, such as a birthday, anniversary, the beginning of summer, etc.) can be a great opportunity for families and nannies to sit down in a non-threatening way to share their observations, expectations, performance reviews, talk about added or modified responsibilities, and discuss goals that everyone wants to achieve. But it’s also a time to express appreciation.
A Happy Nanny Makes for Happy Holidays
My advice is to treat your nanny like you would treat a valued employee of your company; with respect, clear communication and appreciation. There should be plenty of praise and honest evaluation throughout the year. A happy nanny is a nanny that will perform at his or her best — a nanny Christmas bonus can help to keep everyone happy.