At some point or another, we are all faced with a low-cost competitor. The solution isn’t necessarily to lower your own prices, but instead determine what makes you different and worth the extra money. Nailing down cost versus value is an age-old question that businesses in all industries continue to grapple with. So, what do you do to sell your services when put up against competitors that offer similar services for less?

Nanny jobs are never permanent. Nanny jobs inherently change and evolve over time as the children grow. Maybe your charge is heading to school and your nanny family wants you to assume more household management functions and that is not your cup of tea. Maybe you prefer to work with a particular age group. Maybe you have received a job offer with a better schedule or better pay. Whatever the reason, if you’ve decided that it is time to move on from your current nanny position, there are some important things to keep in mind when you do. Leaving your employer with a positive impression is crucial. Here are some of the best practices for leaving your nanny job.

Leaving your employer with a positive impression is crucial. Here are some of the best practices for leaving your nanny job.

For parents and nannies that share the responsibility of transporting kids to and from their various activities, it’s important that you are aware of your local state laws regarding car seat usage, in addition to what the best practices are to keep kids safest.  Here are two helpful tips to ensure both your family and your nanny are on the same page when it comes to car seats.

Historically au pair host families nationwide have based au pair compensation on Federal minimum wage, allowing for a 40% wage deduction for the value of room and board. However, a class action lawsuit settlement and a court ruling have changed this standard. A federal court ruled on Dec. 2, 2019 that au pairs in Massachusetts were covered by the state's Domestic Worker Bill of Rights as well as entitled to earn state minimum wage and overtime. What does that mean for host families and Massachusetts au pairs?

New W4 for 2020: What You Need to Know to Get it Done Right

Getting sick can really throw busy families a curveball. It can get especially difficult if your family caregiver is sick. No one has time to get sick, but unfortunately, it does happen. Here are some of the important must-knows about understanding the legal parameters of giving your nanny or senior caregiver designated sick time.

Household employee payroll is a legal imperative, as well as the right way to treat your valued household employee. Although it is necessary, it is often a headache and a hassle. You can combat the hassles of household payroll by outsourcing to specialists. There are a number of benefits to outsourcing household your payroll needs, including the five listed below.

Updated 31 December 2019

Every year HomeWork Solutions prepares a "what's new or changed" roundup of household employment tax laws and benefit information.

HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYEE 2020 WAGE BASE:

The IRS annually reviews, and adjusts as necessary, the wage payment threshold that obligates a family to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes and issue employees W-2 forms. This threshold will increase to $2200 for 2020, the first increase in 3 years.

As a nanny, you are required to wear several different hats: authoritarian, event planner, cook, playmate, and more. During your employment, you may also be asked to step in to be an overnight nanny occasionally.  If you are okay with adding occasional overnight stays to your job duties, be sure to talk about this at the time you are first hired.