Contracts

The benefits of a contract

Often the process of drawing up a contract can set the ground rules between the family and the nanny. Writing them down adds clarity which might prove beneficial if any problems arise in the future.

What to put in a contract

Anything and everything related to your Nanny's job - no details is too small!

If you're providing room and board, for example, you may want to pay for the Nanny's phone line but not for long-distance charges, or Internet access.

You should spell out any benefits, such as paid annual leave, Bank Holidays, and sick days.

Your contract should have information on

The basic parameters of the job - set down a job description, since the work of being a Nanny means different things to different people.

Work hours - for example, 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, plus any babysitting that might be required or weekend work. How will you reward any work in addition to this - time off in lieu or extra pay?

Benefits - specify how much time off, paid holiday, including Bank Holidays your Nanny can take. State how far ahead of time you want her to let you know about time off. <

Salary - indicate the gross amount and the net amount she will receive each week. When you will pay it; for example, every other Friday at the end of the workday. Clarify your responsibility for paying tax and National Insurance.

Regular duties - write down any household chores - folding the children's laundry, helping your son tidy up his room - or other tasks you'd like your Nanny to do. If, for example, you want her to take your daughter to and from piano lessons on certain days, put that in and discuss the logistics.

If your Nanny has her own car, will you reimburse her for the fuel costs? If she'll be using your car, who's responsible for filling the tank?

Living arrangements - if your Nanny will live in your home, you should spend plenty of time on this topic, with an eye to her privacy needs as well as yours. Will she join the family for dinner every night, for example? You may want to state how often she can use the car, the TV, the VCR, and the washing machine. Don't shy away from discussing issues of taste: If she loves sugary cereals that you don't allow your children to eat, make it clear that she's buying them with her own money.

Special arrangements - try to think of any complication that might arise and a response that's fair to both of you. If you must work late, for example, you'll let her know by three in the afternoon and pay her an extra £5 an hour for the overtime. If she's sick, she should call you by 7:30 a.m. etc.

EMERGENCY PLANS - clarify the steps you want your Nanny to follow if your child gets sick or injured. Also, work out the best response if it's your Nanny who suddenly gets sick: Give her the name and phone number of a neighbour or nearby relative who can help.

Foreseeable changes in your arrangement - if you're pregnant, or having a relative come stay with you for the summer for example, talk to your Nanny about how the arrangements will affect her, could she take some unpaid time off to travel?

Signing and dating a contract

Try using the above categories to write your contract. Add more if there are specific requirements to cater for your family's needs.

Make sure both you and your Nanny sign and date the contract. Each of you should keep a copy. If you make minor changes (for example, you agree that she'll end her day at five o'clock instead of six), you both should initial the amendments and each get a fresh copy.

You may want to include a clause that you and your Nanny will revisit the contract on a certain date, perhaps after the first month. When that time comes, the two of you will discuss anything either of you wants to alter.

Of course, you'll have to redo the agreement if there's a major change in your household, such as a new baby, or change in your work schedule, such as longer hours at the office.

A lawyer can review your contract if you prefer.

Can a contract be made binding?

As with any employment agreement, a Nanny contract for example, is hard to enforce. Never count on being able to do so. But having worked out so many details ahead of time, you're far more likely to enjoy a smooth start to your relationship with your Nanny.