With a massive number of Irish immigrants arriving in the United States, more and more are taking up the once traditional role of the Irish immigrant -- the nanny. Although it is a rewarding job, many find their time wasted, that they are underpaid and that family issues make their positions impossible.
The site IrishAgency.net published an article listing the main reasons that Irish nannies quit their posts, and they should know. The agency has been “referring qualified nannies to parents in Manhattan, Lower Westchester and Fairfield” since 1988.
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Here’s the rundown of the top reasons Irish nannies give for quitting their jobs:
1. Abuse of time – Though nannies are normally hired for approximately 10 hours a day, many nannies say the parents they worked for would stroll in anything from 30-60 minutes late, without any apologies or mention of overtime.
2. Remit – While the nannies were hired to fulfill certain roles in the household, duties would get piled on until their job is unrecognizable. Some reported that they ended up cooking the whole family’s meals and doing their laundry.
3. Money - Some reported that although a salary was initially agreed upon there ended up being different expectations about overtime, raises, and bonuses. Also if another child comes into the family.
However, unfortunately there are no set salaries in the field but it seems that $15 to $20 per hour, take-home, is common in New York. While annual bonuses are separate.
4. Extras - The nannies end up dipping into their own pockets for snacks and errands and are not reimbursed.
5. No Respect - Many nannies feel they are treated badly. They feel ignored and looked down upon. This can manifest itself when the parents contradict the nannies.
Read more Irish news stories here
6. Mothers – Some nannies complain that the mother in the family micro-manages their every move when they are in the home. They equate it to your boss sitting in your cubicle with you.
7. No recognition – Despite the massive responsibility, many feel that they receive no acknowledgment for their contribution. They feel unappreciated by the parents.
8. Tension – It is difficult to work in other people’s homes especially if there is tension between the spouses. Although some nannies want to stay to help the children cope with the situation, many find the situation too toxic.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.LiamtheDream | Mar 31, 2013, 01:46 PM EDT
I strongly fee that it doesn't reflect the feelings of every Irish person that I know in Boston. Yes, there are a lot that get homesick (mostly women from my point of view). There was no way that I was going back. I would never made have made half the money or had the same standard of living. My Children are all college educated and have good jobs. They love to go over to the old sod but they don't want to live there. If you don't believe me. I invite you to come over and see and judge for yourself.
Portia_O'Neill | Jan 05, 2013, 03:37 AM EST
An excellent article.
ciaradexy | Dec 07, 2012, 01:00 PM EST
If this were a story about Polish/Nigerian etc nannies in Ireland, bigots like George WOunded Knee would be complaining about 'importing' foreigners at the expense of the 'natives'. Why arent you on here complaining about Irish taking the jobs from Yanks George?
TisEyerish | Dec 02, 2012, 03:30 PM EST
My pregnant great-great-grandmother, after having been abandoned by her husband (the cad!) secured a position as a nanny in NYC. The family grew to love her so much that they eventually offered to pay her passage back to Ireland, but she wouldn't go...she said her wealthy family back home would not accept her because she ran away with an actor (the aforementioned cad). How times have changed!
saraindc | Dec 01, 2012, 11:52 AM EST
I've got friends who did the nanny job and everyone one of them left because they were being treated like a house maid who is supposed to basically do everything - in all cases they were not the nanny just to the kids but the expectation was they were the family nanny but not getting paid for it! Parents, not just American think they want someone else to mind their kids but yet they want that someone else to be treated like the oldest kid and tell them what to do - can't have it both ways - if parents feel guilty about hiring a nanny, then mind your own kids!!!
Searlit | Nov 29, 2012, 06:29 PM EST
Why is it the important job of child raising gets so little respect?
cillowen | Nov 29, 2012, 06:02 PM EST
not enough craic
Pittsburghkid | Nov 29, 2012, 05:39 PM EST
I though American Woman only treated their husbands like that.