The Au Pair/Nanny employment thread (no ads!)

Alicia · #1 28.12.2005, 13:33

For those of you who have experience with aupairs/nannies, or those who dont (please think of this as a hypothetical question): You are married, have kids and needed a nanny cause both of you worked, how much would you be willing to pay this person for say, 35-40 hrs a week of work? Most aupairs will be required to do some housework, if not all of it.

Generally an aupair will be paid between 700-1000chf a month live-in (which means they dont have to pay for rent or food if at home). Even then, does that not seem slightly underpaid? Im having conflicting reports as to what is normal or appropriate. Ive heard what some people earn in the expat community (rather large amounts) but am unsure as to what the wages are like for the majority of the Swiss population.

Im just trying to work out what to sell myself for, after all its so expensive to have any fun here - no matter what you do.

Richard · #2 09.01.2006, 13:26

	Quote:	Alicia
	For those of you who have experience with aupairs/nannies, or those who dont (please think of this as a hypothetical question): You are married, have kids and needed a nanny cause both of you worked, how much would you be willing to pay this person for say, 35-40 hrs a week of work? Most aupairs will be required to do some housework, if not all of it. Generally an aupair will be paid between 700-1000chf a month live-in (which means they dont have to pay for rent or food if at home). Even then, does that not seem slightly underpaid? Im having conflicting reports as to what is normal or appropriate. Ive heard what some people earn in the expat community (rather large amounts) but am unsure as to what the wages are like for the majority of the Swiss population. Im just trying to work out what to sell myself for, after all its so expensive to have any fun here - no matter what you do.

Let me give you some information here.

Nannies - the general salary here is anywhere between 3500 and 4500. There will be no pension contribution in that amount but the social side from the employers side will be paid on top of this although you won't see it. The deductions from this brutto amount will be the normal swiss if it is done legally and nothing if you come to some sort of arrangement -although your rights in the latter case will be reduced!

Aupair - you hit the nail on the head here 700 is typical live in and max 35 hrs per week and only light house work. There are serious restrictions though on being an aupair such as only EU or US, Canada and OZ, NZL citizens can apply. The maximum stay is an L permit ie 18 months. You cannot share the same mother tongue as the family so if 1 is English and the other German speaking that cuts out half of Europe plus the other countries and you are subject to quotas in the same way as other employees. As you can imagine I see it all as part of the big conspiracy to stop mothers going to work...

If you want to discuss any points mentioned above, know where to advertise your services etc let me know.

mark · #3 14.01.2006, 17:03

Why on earth would there be a rule that a nanny can't share the same mother tongue as a parent? I'm guessing that the restriction on only allowing EU,US,AU,NZ etc is because they probably don't want nannies with dark skin or heavy accents, or (gasp) those with headscarves, but what's this mother tongue thing all about?

Or perhaps you are right, probably just part of the conspiricy to keep mothers at home.

Destiny · #4 15.01.2006, 20:23

Uhm, I thought the original idea of "Aupair" was for the people doing it to learn a foreign language while at it. Otherwise it's just a nanny isn't it ?

Richard · #5 15.01.2006, 23:49

	Quote:	Destiny
	Uhm, I thought the original idea of "Aupair" was for the people doing it to learn a foreign language while at it. Otherwise it's just a nanny isn't it ?

Yes and as you need to pay for them to do a language course as part of the deal I guess they can!!! Oh and Aupairs get special variants of L permits while they are here...

nicnac · #6 21.03.2007, 23:05

I am new to Zug and interested in an au pair or an au pair share - do 'shares' exist over here? Does anyone have an au pair that they got from an agency that they can recommend?
Thanks

Defmon5 · #7 28.03.2007, 19:11

Hi,

We are planning to move to Zurich shortly. Both my partner and I work fulltime outside of the home and wish to continue doing so.

Can anyone recommend some nanny agencies in Zurich and an idea of cost for a fulltime nanny for one infant - either live in or live out. Preferably English speaking.

Many thanks!

Richard · #8 29.03.2007, 01:09

	Quote:	fairlieflyer
	Hi, We are planning to move to Zurich shortly. Both my partner and I work fulltime outside of the home and wish to continue doing so. Can anyone recommend some nanny agencies in Zurich and an idea of cost for a fulltime nanny for one infant - either live in or live out. Preferably English speaking. Many thanks!

Yes indeed I can do both... www.perfectway.ch expect to pay 3300 per month total.

Defmon5 · #9 29.03.2007, 06:33

Great thanks so much.

Would you be able to give us any tips or pointers? Such as,

How long does the hiring process normally take? Is the market fairly tight or should we be able to find someone suitable within a few weeks?

Do the agencies pass on a pile of upfront fees aswell (e.g. visa costs) or are these rolled into their ongoing commission?

Thanks

Oldhand · #10 29.03.2007, 09:14

If you can get through the German WWW.liliput.ch is a great site and it's all free.

Richard · #11 29.03.2007, 11:51

	Quote:	fairlieflyer
	Great thanks so much. Would you be able to give us any tips or pointers? Such as, How long does the hiring process normally take? Is the market fairly tight or should we be able to find someone suitable within a few weeks? Do the agencies pass on a pile of upfront fees aswell (e.g. visa costs) or are these rolled into their ongoing commission? Thanks

You pay nothing for visa etc. The great advantage of perfectway is the quality of the people they employ. They are all trained and qualified either as child nurses or child carers ie kindergarten girls. You can expect to get someone in a month or so and the women who runs the service is Swedish and speaks English. Generally the people she employs are from Germany but also from other European countries too - hence no visa but the permit is partially your doing as you need to get the Gemeinde to issue it - but she handles it for you - you need to sign the form.

Also you have a more or less money back guarantee ie if you have a problem she will give you another one. She also encourages trial of a day or two to see how you all get on. The people she has are live in only - don't know if that is a problem for you.

I also know personally plenty who have used her services and are happy.

Carmen · #12 15.04.2007, 19:05

nicnac-

As you haven't gotten a response here, you might want to ask on...

ttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expats-in-Zug

Richard · #13 19.04.2007, 11:00

	Quote:	nicnac
	I am new to Zug and interested in an au pair or an au pair share - do 'shares' exist over here? Does anyone have an au pair that they got from an agency that they can recommend? Thanks

The best (IMHO) agency in Switzerland for family support is www.perfectway.ch There are also plenty of websites where you can take pot luck and get an au pair.

nicnac · #14 19.04.2007, 21:54

Thanks for this. They, apparently have changed now and don't really deal with au pairs, mainly nannies.

Carmen · #15 20.04.2007, 08:46

Have you checked this site... ?

http://www.liliput.ch

Defmon5 · #16 20.04.2007, 09:06

Hi everyine

Quick update, we're now not moving to Zurich

. Maybe in a few years now

Thanks to everyone who sent us a PM, CVs or offered their kind advice, it really helped us out.

Cheers guys

Andie1 · #17 20.04.2007, 10:21

I am struggling to find a live out au pair and wondered whether anyone had any advice or experience they could share. We only need someone to collect the children from school, give them a light dinner and entertain them until we come home at about 6pm - 6.30pm. Given that this would require no more than about 15 hours a week we are reluctant to have someone live with us but are having difficulty finding someone live-out. Any advice?

Similarly if anyone has advice on salary for something like this again much appreciated.

Many thanks

Coralee · #18 22.04.2007, 11:48

Yes, Au-pairs are typically paid 700-900 over here and yes you are right it IS UNDERPAID. I used to be an aupair a few years ago and I assure no matter what is included (rent, food, language course) this isn' t enough. It makes me cringe when I hear parents talking about how this is a perfectly fine wage.

These are your CHILDREN do you really wanna bargain on their care? You pay someone just enough and they'll do just enough but they will not be happy in Switzerland on that wage. Au pairs hangout with each other and moan about their jobs to each other. On that wage I ate never outside the house except the odd falafel which was a real treat. I was hardly able to leave Zurich and when I did it was on less then a "budget" travel.

For any parents looking to for a "good" aupair pay them well and they will treat your children well. Give them the bare minimum and that's all you can expect in return.

Carmen · #19 22.04.2007, 12:20

Have you all seen this site... http://www.aupair.ch
If you can read German, French or Italian there is lots of info there!

	Quote:	Andie1
	I am struggling to find a live out au pair and wondered whether anyone had any advice or experience they could share. We only need someone to collect the children from school, give them a light dinner and entertain them until we come home at about 6pm - 6.30pm. Given that this would require no more than about 15 hours a week we are reluctant to have someone live with us but are having difficulty finding someone live-out. Any advice? Similarly if anyone has advice on salary for something like this again much appreciated. Many thanks

Andie-

As you live in the Basel area, you might be interested in this that is in the files section of the Expat-Moms-in-Switzerland site..

"My name is Asmita and I work as a babysitter from last couple of years in Basel. References can be made available on request. Please contact me if you are looking for one. My contact number is 061 301 2372.
Email asmita_niranjan@yahoo.com "

You could also ask on this group...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BaselParenting

Perhaps someone there will have a lead for you.

Good luck and HTH!!!

katie · #20 22.04.2007, 21:13

Heya All

I have just finished my Au Pair contract with the Family that I came here to work with and I loved it.

I Found my contract through www.aupairworld.net or was it www.greataupair.com ?? not sure but both websites will give you all the legal information relating to Switzerland and also for other countries.

My wage as a live in Au Pair was a total of CHF1500 per month and from that Lodging was deducted ( CHF900 pm) Half of my german language course, half of my health insurance ( which is mandatory ) AHV and the other pensions.And any meals not eaten with the family I was given money for ( but not much ) All of this was according to the law.

Apparently I was one of the last Australians to get an Au Pair Visa as they were trying to keep the positions for EU citizens - I dont know how true this is though.

As was mentioned in another post - treat your Au Pair with respect and care and you will get it back. But as for the pay , any girl or boy going into an Au Pairing Contract should be more than well aware of what the salary is. One doesnot do this job for the money - one does it for the experience!!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me - I would love to help some of you out but the family that I worked for last year have asked me to continue working for them as a nanny. Pay for that is, better but as per law, for a "Tagesmutter" CHF8 per hour per child.

Enjoy
kt