I want to bring up something that I have found is best established as early as possible, to prevent either of us from wasting time. Apart from fair compensation and at least minimum pay, I have no preferences about form or frequency of pay. However, I want there to be a written agreement kept only between us and contains only what we agree on regarding responsibilities and how to resolve disputes.
I have had too many great interviews, giving children expectations, only to have everything fall through because I had not brought up the matter right after the initial request.
Maybe it might be that some do not trust themselves not to be taken advantage of. Even though people click Accept on digital TOA's, with page after page of terms that they neither understand nor can negotiate, that might feel less consequential and " real" than the very personal act of physically signing a document.
Of course, some people associate signing with intimidating matters of lawyers and courts. I like having collaborative and mutual agreements in writing precisely BECAUSE I want to avoid lawyers and "legaleese"; in a sense(-:
Whatever the position I fill or services I provide; I want there to be a basic written agreement.
That agreement does not prescribe what to do or what is the case; it only puts into writing that which is already agreed to and that everyone should have the intention to stick to.
If the are no disputes (rare) or if they can be worked out amicably and collaboratively (which means they are not disputes but learning experiences), then an agreement has no effect and can not be used for any claims, lawsuits, or any other kind of coercive action.
The agreement has effect only if there is a disagreement about whether there has been a violation of something covered by the agreement, and then it states what processes must be followed; the procedures and steps that must be given a good faith chance to resolve a problem through, as well as what happens should that not be sufficient.
Of course, there is a complete exception in cases of illegal actions. That too must be stated in the agreement. If either party to the agreement violates a criminal statue of any kind that is applicable, the agreement will not prevent judicial action or protect from it. The agreement can then also be used to support a legal case brought by either party if it is in relation to the specific job.
I have put together a a quite general document in which
I provide my personal requirements and hopefully helpful views, about what should be covered in the Nanny Agreement.
There is a lot else written, but you can skip to the parts you find relevant;
CARE BARE NECESSITIES
http://1drv.ms/1EvMsx8
I have included examples of Employment Contract, Hold Harmless, Authorization, and Medical Information.
However, I have not made a template for the "Nanny Agreement" and every one I made with previous families are destroyed when I leave for sake of confidentiality.
I do have employment contracts saved, but the Nanny Agreement is unique to every family and at times contains references or some things that could be used to identify individuals.
If you want me to create a very "bare bone" template, I will. Personally, I don't find the lack of template a big problem though; the very process of collaboratively producing a simple document (I probably made it sound much more complex and elaborate than it need be or has been) is in itself part of the "team building".