Don’t use someone else’s contract
All nannies are different, all families are different, all nanny positions are different, so all nanny contracts should be different!
Just because a contract works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you.
More and more people are selling their contracts claiming that they can suit everyone. It’s not a good idea to copy and paste someone else’s contract because you might forget things or realize later that some things don’t work for you.
Instead, take a look at other nannies’ contracts, “steal” the clauses that suit you and that you need, create your own personalized CV, and adapt it to each position and your situation.
Never sign a contract that is full of bullsh*t
If you feel that certain clauses are unfair or downright abusive, trust your guts and don’t feel obligated to sign.
When hiring a nanny, some families seem to think that they become the “owners” of the nanny and can impose anything and everything on them. Nannies are employees, not possessions, and they have a say. The contract should govern the working relationship, not the nanny’s life, and you should use it to set boundaries.
If, for example, the contract you are asked to sign says that you must find a replacement when you are sick, that you need permission to go out after work when you are live-in, that you authorize the sharing of your health information with the family, that you must wait until your contract is up to take vacation, or other such nonsense, do not sign it.
Speak up and don’t let go of any concerns you may have!
Make sure your contract is legally binding
Many “contracts” do indeed look like contracts but are not legally binding at all, and working with these kinds of “contracts” is the same as not having a contract at all.
In these so-called contracts, the employer is often not clearly identified.
For the contract to be legally binding, it must contain the employer’s full name and address (not just the nanny’s name and address), and it must be signed by both parties (not just the nanny).
So many nannies have a document that says “contract” but are not actually employed anywhere. To avoid this situation, do not hesitate to demand that an employer identification number and the name of the payroll company be mentioned in the contract.
And obviously, read between the lines… if for example you are a German nanny based in Germany, and you land a job in Dubai, and the contract says it is governed by UK law… there is something wrong, and you will probably be working illegally in Dubai…
If you think this is necessary, seek legal advice.
