Nanny Responsibilities & Expectations: Consider This Before You Say, "Not in My Job Description, Not My Job!" by Matthew Lister

Loading a dishwasher, pet sitting or taking out garbage. 

I am a nanny. Those tasks are not my job and not in my job description. Often I will do tasks not in my job description to help out, but that can and does lead to “job creep,” so clear boundaries need to be established.

Job creep is defined as “a phenomenon in which employers continually require increasing amounts of work relative to the normal requirements of their operations.” 

Nannies often find ourselves in a position where we can go above and beyond for the great families we work for, but we have to have some assurances that it is not going to lead into job creep. We love helping our families, but we have to have that appropriate boundary to ensure job creep doesn’t seep in.

If your nanny family pays you guaranteed hours and asks you to pet sit while they are away, then make sure both you and your employers know the industry standards so both sides understand what the expectations are. Consider a compromise, such as offering additional pay based on that extra work.

Our job is to provide quality care to enhance the family. And we can only do that in the truest form when there is that mutual respect.

For all those nannies out there who say, “That is not my job,” no matter what, we must remember that it is a give and take, but we have to always let the other side know our intentions and our boundaries.

Maybe “not my job” is not the right attitude to have. Maybe a fluid relationship is needed for that specific position. I feel that if I can’t take five minutes to help the family, then maybe I’m in the wrong industry, because being a nanny is helping a family.

But I have to balance that with proper boundaries and appropriate compensation for the work, according to the laws. And that is up to me, because many times, the employers are just as ignorant, if not more, of what is required legally to have a nanny, so I have to focus on what the law is to know what to present to the employer. Remember, we are the one expected to be the professional.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below. 

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