Many nannies are on the go with their charges on a regular basis. Library story hour, sports, music lessons, and even the grocery store are common destinations. The nanny and the parents both need a way to communicate - from the mundane coordination of activities to the unlikely emergency. In this era of instant communication, virtually all household staff need a cell phone to meet the expectations of their employer and perform their job duties.

Prescreening of nanny job applicants over the telephone is common for both families and agencies. The telephone interview is a two way conversation, and should enable the candidate and family/agency to make an initial assessment of job fit.

HomeWork Solutions recommends the following best practices:

• Both families should interview potential nannies together if possible. If Family A already has a nanny and family and nanny mutually decide a share is in their best interests, Family B should have an opportunity to independently interview both Family A and the nanny. Don't forget the all important reference checks and criminal background check.
  
  
• Write down the details. This should be a three way document between both families and the nanny and it should detail the possible issues above - hours, wages, benefits, taxes, sick care policies, vacation, nanny sick days and the notice provision for ending the share by either party.
  
  

Many families have children heading back to school this month. It is not uncommon for a nanny who cares for both an elementary school child and a pre-schooler or younger to negotiate two different hourly rates - one for one child only, the other for both. The puzzle for many nanny employers is how to calculate the correct overtime rate. Legally, the "regular rate of pay," that which is used to calculate the overtime differential, must be at least the weighed average of all rates used in the work week. Here is an example:

When hiring their nanny, most employers believe that they have recruited the perfect caregiver for their child. Most often, they want be fair in their dealing with their nanny, including in the arena of compensation. However, year after year a small suite of common nanny payroll and legal mistakes become very expensive lessons for these nanny employers.

Workers' Compensation Insurance protects the employer from liability for medical expenses and lost wages when an employee is injured "on the job." A recent news story concerning a Chicago nanny who was struck by a vehicle while walking her charge brings to light the awesome risk that nanny employers run when they don't obtain state required workers compensation insurance.

Twenty three states require that household (nanny) employers maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance policies. Commercial insurers are a good place to start, as this is business or commercial insurance. GEICO and USAA do not offer business insurance. Bear in mind that the broker/agent who helps you secure a policy will generally require you to have other insurance such as homeowners, renters or automobile insurance with them to issue the workers' compensation policy. Where the insurance is legally mandated, a state fund exists as the provider of last resort. This is typically the most expensive method of obtaining coverage, as the fund must insure all applicants, regardless of risk.

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced S.770 - Payroll Fraud Prevention Act. The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to ensure that employees are not misclassified as non-employees, and impose substantial penalties on employers who are found to have classified bona fide employees as independent contractors for purposes of avoiding payroll taxes. The bill is referred to the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Infant day care slots are in short supply, and when available they are very expensive. Here in greater Washington DC it is common to pay $2000 a month or more for infant day care.

Summer is coming. I count the days until I can wear flip flops, have some daylight at the end of my work day, and am already day dreaming about a summer vacation. Most of us anticipate summer.  Many nannies, however, dread the coming summer months. Why?

Note: Special thanks to our guest blogger, Bob King, for his discussion below on nanny employment termination and the return of family property.  Bob is an attorney and founder of Legally Nanny, the leading law firm providing legal and tax advice to household employers.