At Care.com, we’re committed to solving the care challenges that impact families, caregivers, employers and care service companies. One of those challenges is ensuring caregivers have the support, resources and workplace standards they need and deserve. That’s why we joined forces with the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the leading voice for millions of domestic workers, and Hand in Hand, a growing national network of domestic employers, to bring you the Fair Care Pledge.
By ensuring fair pay, clear expectations and paid time off, families can create a positive and respectful working environment for their nanny, housekeeper or home attendant. Take the pledge below and commit to treating your household employee(s) with professionalism and respect in the following three ways (if not more!):
> Yes, I’d like to take the Fair Care Pledge!
Fair Pay
By agreeing to pay a fair wage, you are making sure that your employee has what she needs to support herself and her family. (Learn more about the definition of Fair Pay and what MIT estimates as the living wage near you.) Paying fairly also includes paying overtime (1.5x the hourly rate) when she works more than 40 hours a week, and giving merit-based raises – especially when her responsibilities increase.
Need help creating your care budget? Visit our free Employer Budget Calculator at Care.com/HomePay. You can enter different hourly rates to see how they impact your taxes and your employee’s take-home pay — and see what kinds of tax breaks you’ll earn from paying legally.
> Learn about the benefits of paying nanny taxes
Clear Expectations
The key to a happy and healthy working relationship is for both you and your employee to be on the same page from Day 1. The easiest way to accomplish this is to create a mutually agreed-upon Employment Contract with your employee before she begins (and update it when anything changes). Create an atmosphere of good communication where you have an open dialogue and conduct brief, weekly check-ins about both of your needs.
It’s also important to pay attention to what might be viewed as the small things such as greeting her in the morning, getting home on time, asking about her family, remembering her birthday, and thanking her for a job well done.
Paid Time Off
Everyone gets sick or needs a vacation from time to time. While not required by federal law, it’s important to provide some paid time off for your employee so they can get the support they need to be the best they can. Some states and municipalities actually require a certain amount of paid or unpaid time off or sick leave for household employees, so it’s important you know the requirements in your state when you’re going over these benefits with her.
Together, Care.com, NDWA, Hand in Hand — and you — can make a difference in the professionalism, respect and overall working environment of domestic workers nationwide. We hope you will sign the pledge and make this commitment to being a Fair Family.
The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the nations leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States, most of whom are women. Founded in 2007, NDWA works for the respect, recognition, and inclusion in labor protections for domestic workers. The national alliance is powered by 45 affiliate organizationsplus our first local chapter in Atlantaof over 10,000 nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers for the elderly in 26 cities and 18 states.
Hand in Hand is a national network of employers of nannies, housecleaners and home attendants working for dignified and respectful working conditions that benefit the employer and worker alike.
