Nanny Work Agreement Template: What California Families Need to Include

A nanny work agreement is a written contract between a family and their nanny that covers pay, hours, duties, and how the relationship ends. In California, having one in writing is not optional if you want legal protection on both sides.

Why California Families Specifically Need a Written Agreement

California has some of the strictest domestic employer laws in the country. Without a written agreement, you are still legally an employer with obligations under the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, overtime rules, and sick leave requirements. A written agreement does not protect you from those obligations, but it does establish what was agreed, which matters when disputes arise.

What a Nanny Work Agreement Should Cover

Compensation and Pay Schedule

State the hourly rate, how often the nanny is paid (weekly is standard in California), and the method of payment. California requires domestic workers to be paid on a regular payday, not whenever it is convenient.

Hours and Schedule

List the expected weekly schedule, start and end times, and whether the schedule varies. Be specific. "Roughly 40 hours" creates ambiguity that becomes a problem when overtime is involved.

Overtime

Under California law, domestic workers earn overtime at 1.5x after 9 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week (not 40 like most workers). Your agreement should acknowledge this, not contradict it.

Paid Sick Leave

California requires a minimum of 5 paid sick days per year. Your agreement should state the number of sick days provided, how they accrue, and whether unused days carry over.

Duties and Responsibilities

List what the role includes: childcare, light housekeeping, school pickup, meal prep, errands. Also list what it does not include. Scope creep is a leading cause of nanny turnover in LA households.

Confidentiality

If your family values privacy, include a basic confidentiality clause covering your home, schedule, children, and any household details. Standard for higher-profile LA families.

Termination

Specify notice periods on both sides, typically 2 weeks. Include what happens to unused paid time off on termination. California law requires payout of accrued vacation, so if you offer vacation time, document it.

Trial Period

If you use a trial period before the placement is considered permanent, state the length and whether the rate changes. A 30 to 90-day trial is standard through a placement agency.

What Not to Include

Do not classify a household employee as an independent contractor in your agreement. In California, household workers who work regular hours for one family are employees, not contractors. Misclassification creates tax and legal exposure.

Getting It Signed

Both parties should sign before the first day of work, not after. Keep a signed copy for your records. Your agency should provide a template as part of the placement process.