Family does not pay me!?

Question

To make money I am a nanny/baby-sitter. I have a regular 8:00 AM-4:30 PM job on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and then will take on other baby-sitting jobs as I go along. I have a 2 year old daughter, am getting married and are also pregnant with twins so I really appriacate the money I earn(my husband works, but also attends law school). Anyway, I baby-sit one family pretty reguarly(about once or twice a week), and they used to be really good about paying me. Then as time went on they started not paying me. Now they never do! And when I do baby-sit I baby-sit for 12-18 hours! I also have to bring my daughter along and the kids(2, 4 and 6)treat her like dirt! The kids are also spoiled brats, and are very rude to me. They make me clean up everything and threaten to get me fired if I don't do as they say! I once brought up payment(and they are a pretty wealthy family) and they told me they are too rich to pay me, and they weren't joking! I've tried quitting, but they beg for me to(c)

Answer 1

Well, you have to stand up for yourself. Tell them straight up that you will not baby sit for them until they pay you what they owe you for previous baby sitting. Then have them sign a contract stipulating how much they will pay you for future baby sitting. That way, if they don't pay you, you can take them to court because they didn't honor the written contract.

If they beg you just say "no" (easier said than done, I know) but, you have the right to be paid for your services. If they say, well then we won't get to do this, that or the other...simply tell them that is the consequence of not paying you.

There is not really anything you can do other than take them to small claims court and then you have nothing in writting to prove that they agreed to pay  you. So you might have to 'eat' what you figure they owe you but, be smart and protect yourself in the future.

Edit - If they do sign the contract, then make sure you do time sheets and invoices...keep a good papertrail in case you wind up in front of a judge. Really you should do this for anyone you work for just in case.

Answer 2

They bribe you?  If they aren't paying you, why would a bribe make a difference?  Quit going to sit for them, and if they bug you, hang up, change your number, or just tell them off.  It can't be worth it particularly if you're pregnant.

Answer 3

I'd give them a warning to pay what they owe you by date x. If they don't, then quit. It really doesn't seem like a job worth keeping. Perhaps you'd make better use of your time looking for other family to hire you.

Answer 4

Send them a bill. Then send a second notice saying no further service will be provided until the balance is paid in full.

How much do they owe you? Why do continue to work for them without pay?

Answer 5

Tell them or actually you should send them an itemized bill with how much they owe you and tell them you are on strike until the bill is paid if full!

Answer 6

I know you probably don't want to but you have to be firm with this family and tell them that you need to be paid for your time.  Let them know that you love the job but that you will have to go elsewhere for work if you are not paid.  My question is why do you want to work for a family that doesn't respect you or your daugther?  There are many nanny positions out there for you.

Answer 7

I would do the bill thing.

here is your bill and it is due by such in such date (make it soon)  If you dont have a payment by then dont show up next time but keep billing them until they pay up.

There are alot of families looking for babysitters that can and will pay - its time to move on.

Answer 8

Stop working for them at all or tell them you have to be paid upfront due to there late bills and there credit history

then you could call them tell them you will not babysit no more till they pay you what they owe and

Then you could have them to call you like something very appointment for them and tell them you will be there and tell them you would be running 10 minutes late well then don't show up at all and they will probally fire you but it would be worth them missing the extra money for having to be late

Answer 9

Simple. Talk to a lawyer, they will be able to guide you on who to contact. Is here some work department where you can complain. Also just stop going there. Don't do any more because you are doing it for free, and as long as you do this, they will continue not to pay you.

Wait until they expect you to be there, and tell them that unless you get paid what you are owed NOW, you are not working, and that you are taking legal advice.

They may laugh at you, thinking that you won't, but believe me, I have had lots of experience with these type of people, and what they hate is being sued.

Contact other baby sitters who have not been paid, to back up your story, and maybe do a joint.

If you stick to your guns, you will stop other babysitters from being abused.

Blessing

Otherwise publish their details on the internet, all chat sites etc. Name address phone numbers, mobile numbers the lot. If they have a fax line, do that to, you will be surprised what can happen.

Though I don't do revenge, sometimes people like this do pi** me off. blessing

Answer 10

Send them a bill via certified mail saying they have 15 days from the date they receive the letter to pay you.  That way you get a receipt back stating that it was delivered.  If they do not pay you within 15 days of getting the delivery receipt, go to the magistrate and get judgment placed against them.  Do not go work for these people again.

Answer 11

Well, you seem to have several choices...

1. Stop working

2. Demand the money or stop working

3. Find a different family to work for

4. Tell them you will quit, and if they beg you to stay, lay down your terms- pay me now, or I go

Answer 12

How awful. You really don't even have to "quit". The next time they call you to come babysit, don't answer. Or just say you can't. That is really awful. You can not work for free like this. You have your own children to worry about!

Answer 13

Well the first thing I think of when you are going to be babysitting/nanning is you should always have something in writing stating the terms and conditions.  How much they are going to pay, how often and when you are goin gto babysit.  If it's an odd or unknown schedule, you should always keep track of it (after having the $/hour in writing) and go over it each day/week and have them sign it.  

If they aren't paying, at least you have something to back you up if you need to take them to court (which I would do if they didn't pay, your time is valuable too).  

If they aren't paying you...you have to quit.  If they want you back and beg you, make them pay you up to date before you come back.  

Don't give into them just because they are wealthy, you aren't below them.

Answer 14

Wow, if you are not being paid and treated bad, and you still come back because "the beg for you" then you are a push over.

Stand up for yourself, say they pay up or your out

Answer 15

They don't pay you...so why are you still working for them...

Answer 16

Quit. Babysitters should look at references too, and it's obvious that the other sitters were treated in the same way. You likely won't ever see the money and quite frankly you perpetuated the situation by allowing them to get your service for free.

Answer 17

If someone owed me that much money, I wouldn't  be able to continue working for them if they weren't going to pay.  You have a daughter to take care of, a wedding to pay for, bills to pay and you deserve better than that.

You obviously care a little for the family and kids, but since they are not paying you when they can afford it, why should you do it for free?  They are not listening to you - maybe put it in writing.  When I do work, I have a timesheet that I fill out - you could put one up on their cupboard door, with your name, date, times, total hours, and amount oweing.  Next time they call, inform them that you are unable to work for them until the amount owing is paid in ful.  You need to find work elsewhere as you have some immediate bills you need to pay.

There is a high demand for in home child care, and you will be able to find something else.

Answer 18

Send them an itimized bill and let them know that you will send them to collection or seek legal action if they do not pay, let them know that you have documentation of them paying up to a certain point and that constitutes proof of agreement if they balk sue for what they owe plus legal expenses and  damages, lost wages at your other job

Answer 19

This family is taking advantage of you.  You need to not do any more work for them until they have paid you in full.  That is completely ridiculous of them to make those kind of excuses for not paying.  You are wasting your time working for them.  Who cares if they beg for you to come back.  They are completely insane if they really expect you to work for free.  If I were you, I would collect the $ from them (if you can get it out of them) and never go back.  You should contact a lawyer to see what kind of a case you have against them for non-payment.  Stop letting them walk all over you.

Answer 20

How about you just quit?  It's not that hard.  Say "I will not do work for no pay.  End of story.  Either pay me or I am gone."

Do not take any "bribes".

Sheesh... I never thought someone could ask a question like this.