Do You Pay Your Nanny When You Go on Vacation?
Most families assume that if they are not home, they do not owe their nanny for that week. That is incorrect, and it is one of the most common and costly misunderstandings in household employment. Here is what you actually owe under California law and industry standard.
Quick Answer
Most families assume that if they are not home, they do not owe their nanny for that week. That is incorrect, and it is one of the most common and costly misunderstandings in household employment. Here is what you actually owe under California law and industry standard.
Most families assume that if they are not home, they do not owe their nanny for that week. That is incorrect, and it is one of the most common and costly misunderstandings in household employment. Here is what you actually owe under California law and industry standard.
Quick answer: Yes. If your nanny has guaranteed hours and you cancel work because you are on vacation, you owe them their normal pay for those hours. Your vacation does not pause their income.What are guaranteed hours and why do they matter?
Guaranteed hours are the minimum number of hours per week you commit to paying your nanny, regardless of whether you actually need them that week. A standard full-time arrangement might guarantee 40 or 45 hours per week.
When you cancel a week of work because you are traveling, your nanny is still available, still relying on that income, and, under California wage law, still entitled to those guaranteed hours. The cancellation is your decision, not theirs. They should not bear the financial cost of it.
Is this a legal requirement or just industry standard?
Both. Guaranteed hours are a contractual commitment, if they are in your work agreement, failure to pay them is a breach of contract. Under California wage law, if your nanny is available and ready to work and you cancel the shift, you generally owe reporting time pay.
Beyond the legal exposure, paying your nanny during your vacation is simply how professional household employment works. Families who do not do this find it very difficult to retain quality candidates.
What if you bring your nanny on vacation with you?
Different situation entirely. If your nanny is working during your trip, watching the children while you are at dinner, managing bedtime routines, being on call, that is paid work time. All hours worked are compensated at their normal rate, plus overtime applies as normal under California law.
Travel time to and from the destination is also paid work time. All travel expenses (flights, accommodation, meals) are covered by you. Your nanny should never be out of pocket for a trip that is your trip.
What if your nanny is taking their own vacation at the same time?
If your nanny is using their own paid time off during your vacation, that is their PTO, paid as normal, no issue. If you are canceling their work for a week and they are also choosing to travel, you still owe their guaranteed hours unless you have a written agreement that addresses this scenario specifically.
How do most LA families handle this?
Professional nanny arrangements in Los Angeles almost universally include guaranteed hours. The norm is that families pay full wages during their vacation time. Some families also give their nanny a paid vacation week of their own on top of this, separate from the guaranteed hours, as part of the total compensation package.
What if you cannot afford to pay during vacations?
Structure the agreement upfront. Some families negotiate a lower guaranteed-hours floor (e.g., 35 hours instead of 40) or include a limited number of unpaid cancellation weeks per year. This needs to be agreed in writing before the placement starts, you cannot change the terms retroactively.
If cost is a genuine concern, a nanny share arrangement may be worth exploring. But for most full-time placements in the LA market, paying during vacation is simply part of the deal.
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