It is common for families to ask nannies for references, but it is not so common for nannies to ask potential employers for references.
In theory, yes, nannies can ask for references if they wish, but in practice, they rarely feel comfortable doing so.
Shouldn’t this change?
When it comes to references, nannies are rarely entitled to the same level of transparency as parents, are they?
Okay, having to provide references when you’re the one offering a job might seem weird at first, but why wouldn’t it be normal?
Vetting the house where you are going to work is no more bizarre than vetting the person who is going to come and work at your house!
Especially since more and more families are hiring nannies without going through agencies. And let’s be honest, agencies don’t always vet the homes where they place candidates… if they made their clients go through the same reference checks they make their candidates go through, they probably wouldn’t have many clients left…
Anyway, the lack of reciprocity is very unfair, but unfortunately, it’s not likely to change anytime soon. Just as families always manage to find nannies who charge less, they will always find nannies who don’t ask for references.
Have you ever asked a potential employer for references?
Do you think references should be a two-way street in this industry?
More and more agencies claim that their clients are willing to provide references to their candidates: have you ever been able to check the references of a family you met through an agency?
