Did The Economy Affect Nanny Bonuses?

We received many responses about the topic of holiday bonuses for nannies after Best Nanny Newsletter was quoted in the Wall St Journal (see below or click this link): http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2008/12/19/holiday-bonus-what-to-give-the-nanny/

Now that Christmas is over we asked Best Nanny Newsletter subscribers, “If you work as a nanny did the economy affect your holiday bonus or end of year bonus this year?”

The answers of our first 51 email responses are split right down the middle with 26 working nannies responding their bonus was not affected by the economy and the other 25 answering, “Yes,” their bonus was affected by the economy.

Tess Krier, a nanny from Minnesota says, “In the past I would get a cash bonus of $1,000 to $2,000 plus gifts valued at $500 to $1,000 dollars.” Some gifts Ms. Krier has received include, “trips, theatre tickets, a flight to New York, cooking classes, plus nice gifts from the charges.” But this year Ms. Krier explains, “I have not got anything yet. My boss lost his job a month ago. They have not let me go yet. They have cut my hours and are paying me cash. I think they want me to quit.”

Maria Lopez, an experienced live-in nanny, was working in the San Francisco Bay Area until the father she worked for lost his job. Ms. Lopez says, “The father lost his job in October and he has not been able to find a new job. It was a hard decision for the parents and me but I had to move back home with my parents in the Midwest this Christmas.” Ms. Lopez remains optimistic, “The nanny agency that placed me is certain I will find a new live-in nanny position shortly,” says the nanny.

Lori, a nanny from Austin, Texas explains that despite working with the same family for two years she," got no bonus at all.” This nanny feels slighted since she says, “The child's Christmas was not affected by the economy. They spent thousands on the child."

But, still half the responses reported their bonus was not affected negatively by the economy. For example, Kellie Geres a nanny in Potomac, Maryland explained, "No, my bonus was not affected."

Heather, a nanny working in New Jersey answered, “My bonus went up to three weeks pay and some pricey gifts. Even more surprising is that both of the parents that employ me work on Wall Street for companies bailed-out by the government. If anyone should be suffering I would assume it would be them. But they have not cut-back much on their spending habits. If these parents aren’t cutting back on their spending hopefully other great nannies are getting great bonuses too.”

Other nannies, like Marcia Van de Kieft from Orlando, Florida are just cautious, “I think times are tough this year for everyone -- rich or poor.”

If you work as a nanny was your end of the year bonus affected by the economy? Please click "comments" below.