New York Set to Give Nannies Overtime, Other Rights

Albany, NYNew York legislators and Governor David Paterson have reached a reconciliation deal that will give nannies overtime pay and other rights.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">The legislation sets a 40-hour workweek for standard domestic workers and a 45-hour week for live-in employees, according to the Wall Street Journal. The proposed bill would also require at least one day off for such workers and any work beyond the weekly limits must be compensated with overtime pay, which is time-and-a-half.

The proposal also sets the stage for the potential formation of a nannies' union because it gives domestic employees some collective bargaining rights. The bill also requires employers to give nannies three paid off-days each year.

Priscilla Gonzales, director of Domestic Workers United, says that it will be crucial for nannies to understand the impact of the legislation if Paterson signs it into law, as is expected.

"The industry's setup is unique in that its workers toil in isolation behind closed doors, so education with be crucial," she told the news source.

It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 nannies working in New York State.