Since nannies work in the private homes of their employers it’s often mistakenly assumed that they are not protected by labor and tax laws. While not all labor and tax laws apply to household employers because they employ less than the minimum number of employees required before they kick in, many of them do; and it’s great to know your employment rights.
According to the International Nanny Association, all nannies, whether they are legally authorized to accept employment in the United States or not, are protected by these 10 basic employment rights.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, whether live-in or live-out, nannies must be paid for each hour that they work.
‘If a nanny files a claim for unpaid wages or abuse, an employer may not turn their nanny in for an immigration violation. The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has written rules that prohibit their interference in labor disputes.’
All nannies are entitled to be paid at the state or federal minimum wage rate, whichever rate is higher.
Live-out nannies are entitled to be paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 times their hourly base rate for all hours worked over 40 in a seven day period. Live-in nannies, in some states, are also entitled to be paid overtime.
Nannies are not independent contractors; they are employees of the families for whom they work. Nannies who earn more than $1,800 per calendar year (2012 threshold) must be given a form W-2 and not a form 1099.
These deductions include Social Security and Medicare and state taxes. Income taxes and other benefits, such as contributions to health insurance premiums, may be withheld if the nanny and employer agree.
Each state determines the maximum number of days between payroll dates and the maximum delay an employer may place on a nanny’s periodic payroll. Some states even dictate the frequency in which nannies must be paid. The employer must keep accurate payroll records, including the dates and hours worked, for three years.
Workers’ Compensation provides financial assistance to nannies who are hurt on the job. Most states require nanny employers to have a Worker’s Compensation policy, though not all of them do.
Federal and state laws protect nannies from physical and sexual abuse by their employers.
Nanny employers cannot take and keep a nanny’s passport, Social Security card, work permit, or driver’s license.
If a nanny files a claim for unpaid wages or abuse, an employer may not turn their nanny in for an immigration violation. The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has written rules that prohibit their interference in labor disputes.
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The International Nanny Association is a non-profit educational association. For more information about nanny employee rights, click here