Tips for Keeping your nanny happy

When you have a wonderful caregiver it is like you have been blessed with an amazing gift. After putting in the effort of hiring and training your caregiver, you want to make sure that you do all that you can to avoid losing the new member of your family. There are many ways to ensure your caregiver is happy with their job. Some of the most basic ways include good communication and mutual respect.  The following are some pointers that you should keep in mind;

 

– Burnout:

Burnout is one of the most common reasons behind the loss of many household employees. When hiring household staff, pay close attention to the responsibilities you initially include in your agreement. As time progresses you may want to change these tasks or even add to them, but keep in mind that this may overwhelm your employee. If you change the position significantly, you want to make sure that your caregiver is on board with the changes and is up for the challenge. A salary review may be in order to account for new responsibilities.

 

– Set up real expectations: 

When hiring someone to work for you it is important to keep in mind that you are hiring a person and all people have their limits. Nannies and caregivers are not super-human and they cannot read your mind. They require appropriate expectations, instruction and time to adjust. They have their strengths and weaknesses.  As an employer, it’s always important to set your employee up for success. Communicate. Give constant feedback and conduct regular performance reviews. When employees are over worked and asked to meet unreal expectations they begin to stress out. Under those circumstances, employees begin to look for new career options and slack on their responsibilities. Make sure what you are asking for is realistic within the time limits allotted. You may need to re-evaluate the job description, and do so with your employees input, to avoid future complications.

 

– Competitive Wages

Being able to compete in a market that has a high demand for quality household employees is critical.  Employees will often leave or turn down positions for jobs with better pay and benefits. Planning for appropriate wage increases (don’t start off with offering your highest salary) and offering attractive benefits are important ways to keep your employee happy. If you find that you cannot afford to offer a full benefits package, you may consider alternatives in the form of small gifts that can work as incentives and help to increase retention.

 

Showing your employee that you appreciate all of their hard work is critical for employee happiness in the work place. A thank you note, small gift or simply expressing your gratitude for her/his service can go a long way. Everyone likes to know when they are doing a good job. Don’t forget to tell your nanny how lucky you are to have her!