Nannies and Au Pairs: Are You Required to Travel with Your Employers?

Before Traveling with the Family

One perk of being a nanny or au pair can be traveling with your employers' family. Traveling while working can be an opportunity to see new place you might not be able to visit otherwise. But, while the family is on vacation you are being paid to work. While the family may be relaxing you still need to be prompt, professional, and reliable.

Before agreeing to travel with a family on their vacation discuss the schedule, accommodations, and pay rate. Typically it is easiest to keep the hours and pay rate about the same as a normal work week. But, sometimes that is impossible when traveling. You ought to be a little flexible with hours while traveling with your employers' family.

All expenses including food, board, and travel should be paid by your employer. You should expect to pay for some personal expenses though. But, the price of food, lodging, museums, attractions, admissions, and taxis are the parent's responsibility.

Be fore agreeing to travel with the family you work for be sure to ask the parents:

1. Will you be working more hours than usual?

2. Will you have your own room or be expected to share a room with the children?
3. What will your role be? Will you be accompanying the family as an extra set of hands, or will you be solely responsible for the children during the day while the parents are out?

4. What are the spending guidelines?
5. What is the pay rate? Will you earn a bonus?

Do you have any advice to share with nannies and au pairs about traveling with their employers' family?