Toys, Parents, Nannies and Foul Language

There was concern over the "Three Pigs" Shrek promotional toy that McDonald's is giving out due to the language it uses and what that is teaching our children. We should be very concerned about the words children hear. But these words not only come from toys; parents and nannies must also be vigilant of their use of language. Parents may use foul language amongst each other and forget that a child might be in their presence. If you use profanity, it is difficult to teach a child NOT to use such words. Children are smarter than that...as they ask the infamous question, "But, then why are you saying it mommy and daddy?" Nannies are usually the least found culprits as they know that this could get them fired. However, language can be harmful in many ways and not just through the use of "profanity". Making statements that lower a child's self-esteem or make a child feel bad for something that perhaps they can't do is very harmful. We must use language carefully around each other so that we exude encouragement, compassion, understanding, love, forgiveness, and respect. This makes for a better child and a better society.

Nanny and Employer: Respect, Appreciation & Open Communication

How does a Nanny or Housekeeper, and a household employer maintain proper respect, show appreciation and keep an open line of communication? The first rule is to never cross the line. This means that you as the employer must find a way to maintain a friendly relationship without becoming "Best friends". It is more in your hands than it is the employee's. You as the employer set the pace by establishing a professional demeanor. This may seem odd to have this kind of relationship with someone working in a home and in many cases with children. But here is the point: if you become so friendly and treat this relationship like anything other than an employee/employer you will find it difficult to give instruction and correct your employee when things need to be changed. On the same note, an employee will have similar concerns about how to discuss issues that may be important as it relates to the job. This is not to say that you cannot be friendly to each other. However, there are certain things to keep in mind: 1) keep your private life to yourself. No one needs to delve into marital, financial, physical or psychological problems. Turn to the appropriate people to discuss these issues. 2) Try not to break down or show anger or use profanity. Maintaining an even-tempered emotional state is very important when working together. If there are issues, talk them out like civilized people. If there are things that have affected one's feelings, control the tears and express logically the emotion. 3) Use constructive criticism when telling something to someone. To randomly criticize someone or something doesn't usually get a positive response. However, to explain it in a way where one can see the problem, may actually get you positive results. 4) Be respectful of what was agreed to when you began the working relationship as it pertains to: schedule, salary, duties, expectations, benefits, overtime, responsibilities, reviews. 5) always check in with each other to be sure things are going well on the job so that both achieve a comfort level in discussing issues instead of holding things inside, and 6) use review sessions, employee/employer agreements and a household manual.

http://www.TheProfessionalHousekeeper.com

Cell Phone Nunbers go Public in July

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.
REMINDER..... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON .. It takes about 20 seconds.


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Bill in NY Giving Nannies, Housekeepers Employment Protection Passes

MANHATTAN — The Domestic Workers bill narrowly passed both the State Senate and State Assembly Thursday, paving the way for Gov. David Paterson to sign into law legislation giving nannies, elderly caregivers and other household workers employment benefits.

The bill — the first of its kind in the U.S. — would give New York's approximately 200,000 domestic workers overtime pay, protection from discrimination, paid days off and other labor protections.

The legislation passed 35-26 in the Senate and 90-38 in the Assembly. Paterson is reportedly likely to sign the bill into law.

"For far too long domestic workers have labored tirelessly without the labor protections available to almost every other group of workers throughout New York State. They have been subject to abuse, long hours without respite, dangerous working conditions, and they have had nowhere to turn for justice," said Assemblyman Keith Wright of Harlem, who sponsored the bill.

The bill's advocates had to concede some points in the bill in order to get both houses to pass the legislation — the final version no longer gives domestic workers six paid holidays and six paid vacation days. Workers would get three paid days off under the bill that passed.

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Nurses in California kept Licenses

The state's Board of Registered Nursing has discovered that 3,5000 nurses have been punished for misconduct by other states, yet have maintained their licenses in the state of California. As many as 2,000 of these nurses will now face discipline in California. This is a perfect example of how important it is to run proper background checks on all your household help in all states where the individual has lived in the last 7 years. In the case of the nurses, most of the misconduct found was for the same incident.Before hiring any private nurse, you must check the "national databank". In California, until late 2008, the state did not require nurses to reveal whether they had been disciplined elsewhere. The risks of not checking can be serious. Here is the interesting part: "California has a financial incentive not to submit names its names. The state makes money by charging nurses a fee to verify their licenses, test scores and training when authorities in other states call for information. These sort of checks have netted California nearly $1 million in fiscal 2009".

The Professional Housekeeper

Becoming a Professional Housekeeper means: Being qualified through proper household training; Expanding your skill set into all areas of the home; Treating the role as a career not just a job; Developing good communication skills; Understanding how to solve nanny issues on the job in a professional manner; and learning new ways to be better at what you do so that you are indispensable. This Economy is tough, but it will turn around!! When it does, the question is are you prepared for that "job opportunity". What have you done to improve your skill set? Will you be the one that the family chooses to hire? We can always improve our nanny and housekeeping skills and be better at what we do!!!

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Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

The Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights passed by the New York State Senate earlier this month contains workplace protections for nannies, housekeepers and other domestic employees. Among the protections, families will be required to provide their household employees with the following: 6 paid holidays per year, 5 paid vacation days per year, 7 paid sick days per year, time and half after 8 hours of work each day, 2 weeks severance pay (or 2 weeks' written notice). All full time domestic workers will receive the same benefits regardless of immigration status or whether they are paid on the books. My experience working with clients in Los Angeles is that most employers are offering similar benefits (without a law imposed) simply because they want to do what others here are providing. However, it still seems an effort to get an employer to move away from "cash" to payroll and acknowledge the overtime rules accordingly.
http://www.theprofessionalhousekeeper.com