One of the biggest mistakes nannies make when signing a work agreement?
Not clearly defining guaranteed hours, and not protecting themselves against banked hours.
If it’s not written clearly in your contract, it doesn’t exist.
So here are simple, professional clauses you can copy, paste, and add directly to your nanny contract.
What Are Guaranteed Hours?
Guaranteed hours mean:
You are paid for a set number of hours every week, whether the family needs you or not.
If you reserve that time for your employer, you get paid for that time.
Example:
If your contract says 40 guaranteed hours per week and the family only needs you for 32 hours, you are still paid for 40.
Sample Guaranteed Hours Clause
Guaranteed Hours
The Family agrees to guarantee the Nanny ___ hours per week. The Nanny will be paid for these guaranteed hours regardless of whether the full schedule is worked.
If the Family chooses not to use the Nanny for any portion of the guaranteed hours (due to vacation, grandparents visiting, early releases, etc.), the Nanny will still receive full pay for the guaranteed weekly hours.
Any additional hours worked beyond ___ hours per week will be compensated at the agreed hourly rate (or overtime rate where applicable by law).
What Are “Banked Hours”?
“Banking hours” is when a family reduces your hours one week and expects you to “make them up” later without additional pay.
Example:
Family only needs you 30 hours this week instead of 40…
Then the following week they schedule you 50 hours but only pay for 40 because they’re “using the extra 10.”
That is not legal in many states and is almost always unfair.
Nannies, here’s why you must say no to banked hours:
Banking hours effectively puts you on call.
If unused hours can be moved around, your schedule becomes unpredictable. You’re expected to keep time available in case the family decides to “use” those hours later.
Guaranteed hours do not mean hours can be rearranged, saved, or shifted to future weeks.
Sample No Banking Hours Clause
No Banking of Hours
Guaranteed hours are not subject to banking or redistribution. Hours not worked during a guaranteed week may not be carried over or used to offset hours worked in future weeks.
Any hours worked beyond the guaranteed weekly hours will be compensated in addition to the guaranteed pay and will not be reduced by previously unused hours.
Common Situations Covered by Guaranteed Hours
Your guaranteed hours should still apply when:
- Family travels without you
- Grandparents visit and take over
- Parents get off work early
- Child is sick and parent stays home
- Snow days (unless otherwise agreed)
If you are available and willing to work, you should be paid.
Why This Matters
Without guaranteed hours and a no-banking clause clearly written:
- Families may reduce pay unexpectedly
- You may be asked to “make up” hours
- Your income becomes unstable
- Your schedule becomes unpredictable
- You are essentially placed on call without additional compensation
- You absorb all the financial risk
Guaranteed hours protect your income.
No banking hours protect your time.
Pro Tip #1 for Nannies – Guaranteed Hours
When discussing guaranteed hours, say this:
“I reserve this time exclusively for your family and decline other work during these hours. Guaranteed hours ensure stable pay when my schedule is held for you.”
Professional. Clear. Hard to argue with.
Contract backup: if you want stronger protection, add this additional language:
The Nanny’s time is reserved exclusively for the Family during the agreed schedule. If the Family chooses not to use scheduled hours, those hours are forfeited and may not be rescheduled or banked for future use.
Pro Tip #2 for Nannies – Banking Hours
When discussing banking hours, say this:
“Guaranteed hours protect my income, and not banking hours protects my schedule. I’m not able to keep flexible ‘make-up’ time open in future weeks.”
Calm. Professional. Boundary-setting.
Contract backup: you may also reinforce the no-banking policy with this clarification:
The Nanny is not considered on call outside of the agreed weekly schedule. Unused guaranteed hours may not be shifted, reassigned, or applied to future scheduling needs.
