b'What basic rights/protections do all workers have? As for the future, we have seen a boom in online platforms and aThe right to minimum wage and overtime pay is something all gig economy that is growing rapidly. While nannies have likelynon-exemptworkers(includingnannies)areentitledto, been on platforms for longer than other jobs, we must find waysregardless of immigration status. However, it is worth noting that to intervene and make sure app work/online jobs can be goodsome domestic workers remain excluded from other basic rights. jobs. These platforms possess enormous control and influenceInmanystateswiththeDomesticWorkerBillofRightslike over our job market.Massachusetts, for exampledomestic workers have other rightsthat pertain to our industry, such as the right to written contracts Globally, what do we know about domestic workers rights?with detailed hours and job duties, the right to proper notice for Well, we know the fight isnt just here! We are an industry thatlive-in workers, and the acknowledgment that au pairs are being lacks recognition and validation across the globe, so when ithired to perform the same work as nannies. Massachusetts and comes to securing basic labor protections and the recognition oftheNationalDomesticWorkersAlliancearepushingfora the professionalism of the workforce, we still have many fightsnational Domestic Worker Bill of Rights that would extend more ahead in order to create a cultural shift where domestic work isbasic protections to all workers across all states. not only validated but also respected. What makes nannies and domestic workers different? IsthereadivisionbetweennannieswhoconsiderNanniesareoneoccupationunderthedomesticworkers themselvesdomesticworkersandnannieswhoconsiderumbrella. Domestic workers are defined as those who provide themselves professional childcare providers? If so, how canserviceinsomeoneshome.Nannies,therefore,aredomestic we bridge that gap?workers.I would say we are all free to call ourselves what we want, butWhy the need for more protections and rights? that doesnt change facts. I call myself a Childcare Specialist, aDomesticworkershavebeenhistoricallyexcludedfrombasic ProfessionalCareerNanny,oranIn-homeEducator,butlabor rights, and it has taken us decades to even have a seat at regardless of those titles, I work in private homes, so, therefore, I,thetable.Federalanti-discriminationlawexcludesmost like all other nannies and caregivers, am a domestic worker. domestic workers on a de facto basis because it applies only toenterprises with multiple employees. Similarly, domestic workers I guess at one point in time there was a small group of nanniesare excluded from the protections of the Occupational Safety in the last fewwith more understanding, education, andwho seemed offended by the term domestic worker. Thankfully,and Health Act, which does not apply to employers who hire years, workers to perform household tasks. Our industry has needs and knowledge of the industry itself, folks have come to a betterdemands that average legislators dont often consider. Only in understanding.Ihaventbeenawareofanyexplicitdivision,thelastfewyearshavewebeenabletobringtheseissues which I am very glad for. We must understand that a rising tidebeforelawmakersdespitetheattemptsofseveralnanny lifts all boats. Separation within groups would only detrimentorganizations to professionalize the industry in order to receive progress that we are all seeking in the professionalization andproper recognition and support. recognition of the industry as a whole. Where are we in the US with regards to this? Where were What should domestic workers know?we, where are we, where are we going? First and foremost, domestic workers should know their rights asDomestic work is rooted in slavery and womens work. We have domestic workers. Right now in the United States, we have ninefacedalonghistoryofneglectandexploitation,asblack states that have passed legislation specific to domestic workers,domestic workers and farm workers were specifically excluded includingNewYork,Massachusetts,Connecticut,California,from the New Deal that provided minimum wage and overtime Pennsylvania, Oregon, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, and Hawaii.pay. This single decision still impacts domestic workers today. Seattle and Philadelphia have also passed their own domesticworker laws, and I encourage every nanny who works and/orThankstoadvocacygroupssuchastheNationalDomestic lives in one of those states to be familiar with their domesticWorkers Alliance, there has been major progress in a little over a workers bill of rights. decadewithpassingspecificdomesticworkerslawsinninestates and the cities of Seattle and Philadelphia. It is also worth Also, I think it is important for nannies to know a little bit ofmentioning some innovative policy in those bills, including the history and background of the profession because that will giveSeattle DWBoR bill with the installation of the standards board themcontextonchallengesandthelackofrecognitionand(new forms of negotiating) and the Philly DWBoR with mandated protection that many nannies still face. paid time off. NannyMag.com33'