By DANIELLE GLAZE
Of late, the biggest questions I’ve heard being asked among families are… “Should I pay my nanny during this pandemic? What are other families doing? What is the right thing to do?”
Early on in the pandemic the primary concern was everyone’s health and safety. For about a month there was a collective pause around the world during which people came to terms with the new reality of their lives. No one was going anywhere. With fears of getting ill while having to care for a family, most chose to temporarily relieve their workers of their duties (with pay) and “play it by ear” while they waited to see how the virus evolved and what the government specified as “essential work”.
A second wave of shock hit when people realized that not only were they going to be home, but they had to wear ALL the hats… parents, chefs, educators, housekeepers, entertainers, dog walkers, in addition to their work load that had transitioned from a physical location to a digital home space. Balancing it all without help can be difficult, downright stressful, and sometimes impossible. So people began questioning whether they should be paying their hired help to stay home if they were doing all the work!
IS YOUR NANNY/BABYSITTER/CAREGIVER AN ESSENTIAL WORKER?
In short, yes. Your caregiver is an essential worker, thus she/he can assist your family with your children according to your agreed work arrangement.
HOW MUCH OF A RISK IS TOO MUCH?
You must always weigh the pros and cons when making a decision. Take the following into consideration:
Does anyone in your family have a weakened immune system or within an age bracket that is at a higher risk for contracting the Covid-19 virus?
Is your caregiver or anyone in their home at risk for infection based on age or a predisposition to health issues associated with the Covid-19 virus?
How many children are in your home?
If you have one child, and have been relieved from your own work duties can you avoid having someone else in your home?
If you have more than one child, do you have support in the home or is it absolutely necessary to bring in another individual into your home and possibly increase the risk of spread of Covid-19?
Has your caregiver been isolating?
Will they be able to limit their exposure in their commute to work?
Are you willing to offer payment for a private car to drop them off or to pay for gas so that they can drive their own car to your home?
Has your family been isolating?
Some families are strict about their caregivers isolating, but don’t follow isolation protocols themselves. You wouldn’t want to put another person at risk if you are spending time with another family or friends that you have “vetted”. You may feel comfortable with certain individuals, but your caregiver who is already risking themselves coming to work each day may not.
How far are you requiring your caregiver to commute to work?
Early on in the pandemic many families relocated to larger homes in suburban areas like Upstate New York, the Hamptons, Connecticut, and other states in an effort to provide their families with more space and freedom to roam about while still isolating. However, some families have kept their caregivers on payroll and expect them to either travel to these places daily or have given them the option to live-in.
Will you provide masks and gloves for your caregiver if one or both parties prefer it in the home?
Remember, that you (the family) are isolating in place, but this can prove taxing on your caregiver both emotionally and physically. They are constantly exposing themselves during their commute, and may be dealing with fears associated with the virus. Many caregivers will agree to adjusted schedules in hopes of keeping their jobs, but be mindful to be flexible when creating a new schedule. There is still a virus at work and health and safety protocols should always be of primary concern.
SHOULD YOU PAY YOUR CAREGIVER IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING?
This is a question of ethics and well as coming to terms with your economic reality. Here is what families across the city have chosen to do…
If the family is still receiving their full salary and are able to stay home from work, some are also still paying their caregiver’s full salary and allowing them to stay home.
If the family has received a pay cut but is allowed to stay home from work, some have adjusted their caregiver’s pay under a new agreement.
If the family is receiving unemployment and are home, some have chosen to pay their caregiver their full salary and allowed them to stay home.
If the family is not able to maintain their household responsibilities and a caregiver in light of Covid-19, some have chosen to let their caregivers go.
If the family is not able to maintain their household responsibilities and a caregiver in light of Covid-19, some have chosen to furlough their employee so that the caregiver can apply for unemployment until the family is able to hire them back when their circumstances stabilize.
READJUSTING TO OUR NEW NORMAL
As isolation protocols relax, we still want to be mindful of the health and safety of our families and caregivers. If you have chosen to have your caregiver assist you during these times, I’m so glad that you have someone that you can trust to help your family run smoothly despite current circumstances! Make the most of the days you have hired help by scheduling zoom and phone calls, tackle your inbox, and take a little time to reset your own mind so that you can take on the rest of the day. Also, your caregiver is like an extended member of the family, so have weekly check-ins (or more!) with each other to make sure everyone is feeling okay emotionally and physically.
Some have mentioned feeling guilty having a caregiver come to their homes and help. If it does not feel right to you don’t do it, and don’t judge others for choosing otherwise. I have found that for some, their mental and physical stability depends on having someone else there to help ease the burden – especially if you are a single parent, a parent who has just given birth, or just had surgery. Parenthood is hard enough as is. Whatever choice you make be wise, be fair, show compassion, and do you.