Today is a huge step and victory for nannies and other household employees in the State of New York. That’s because the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights in New York takes effect today, November 29, 2010. Per the New York Department of Labor, among other benefits, the new law will entitle nannies and other domestic employees with the following rights:
- The right to overtime pay at time-and-a-half after 40 hours of work in a week, or 44 hours for workers who live in their employer’s home;
- A day of rest (24 hours) every seven days, or overtime pay if they agree to work on that day;
- Three paid days of rest each year after one year of work for the same employer; and
- Protection under New York State Human Rights Law, and the creation of a special cause of action for domestic workers who suffer sexual or racial harassment.
For full details on the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, please visit the website for the New York Dept. of Labor.
The State of New York is the first state to pass such a bill into law. Should other states follow in New York’s footsteps? What are your thoughts?
This is such a great step forward for the nanny industry! I hope it helps more people realize that this is our career, and that we deserve benefits just like other full-time employees. I’m so happy and grateful and proud!
It is going to be amazing if other states follow in New York’s footsteps with this. I have never worked a position that hasn’t required overtime, and being guaranteed to get overtime pay instead of letting it be at the discretion of the employer would be HUGE. Come on Utah, let’s follow New York’s lead!
I applaud New York for making this change, and can only hope that Oklahoma will do the same. Overtime pay and a mandated day off each week would be fantastic – so often employers forget that we need time to recharge our batteries just like every one else. I think that a lot of them think that because we do our jobs out of a passion for children that we don’t need the mental breather from work like they do. But I’m at my best with their children when I have time for myself and when I’m fairly compensated for the time spent with their kids.
This! I completely agree! Luckily, I live in New York and there are no words to express how excited I am about this passing. It truly is a blessing and a miracle.
great job new york!! way to set the precedent – now let’s get the other states to follow! i think it’s safe to say that just about every nanny out there wants to see this happen in their home state!