Are you new in NYC and want to become a domestic worker? Starting in this field can feel confusing if you don’t know where to look for jobs, what qualifications are useful and, most importantly, what rights protect you as a worker.
This guide, created with the help of Carroll Gardens Association (CGA), a Brooklyn-based group organizing domestic workers, explains what to know about becoming a nanny.
What are the requirements I need to become a nanny?
Before beginning your job search, gather the necessary documents. These can include your photo ID (such as a passport), an emergency contact, and your resume. It’s helpful to have a professional portfolio with reference letters from previous families.
Agencies and online platforms can connect you with families and help with contracts and background checks, but they usually charge fees. If you’re applying through an official agency, these firms will additionally ask for your Social Security number and a work permit.
Learn more about working with an employment agency with these tips from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).
There are no formal certifications that are legally required to become a nanny. However, certifications can make you a better candidate. CGA recommends that you have at least taken a course in CPR and First Aid Certification. NYC Health has a list of free courses here.
What if I’m an undocumented migrant looking for a job?
Ben Fuller-Googins, executive director at CGA, said these groups of domestic workers should exercise caution and educate themselves about their rights as workers. Fuller-Googins and his team have noticed that some employers are threatening to call ICE when workers speak up for their rights, like asking for overtime or paid time off. This is illegal for employers to do.
“We have also seen instances, particularly for live-in domestic workers, where employers will take passport/identification so workers feel even more helpless and at their mercy,” he added.
Also Read: It’s Illegal For a Boss, Landlord to Threaten to Report Immigrants to ICE
Organizations that can help you
The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA): This is a nationwide organization that advocates for the rights of nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers. It offers training programs, leadership development, and resources to help domestic workers secure fair wages, benefits and safe working conditions. NDWA also provides legal support, policy advocacy, and a membership community where workers can access tools, workshops, and immigrant rights assistance.
La Colmena: A community-based organization in Staten Island that offers job training, English classes, and leadership programs while also providing know-your-rights workshops and advocacy against wage theft and unsafe conditions.
Adhikaar: Primarily serving the Nepali and Tibetan immigrant community, this organization offers programs for language support, health and safety training, and know-your-rights workshops.
Damayaan: An association that serves Filipino domestic workers providing peer-to-peer organizing, legal and labor rights assistance, leadership development, and community education to fight wage theft, trafficking, and exploitation.
Carroll Gardens Association: A community organization in Brooklyn that supports domestic workers through training programs, networking, and community building. Their work includes offering paid and free educational opportunities on worker rights, safety, child development, and emergency preparedness.
Domestic Workers United: An organization that empowers domestic workers through education, organizing, and cultural activities. They provide training, know-your-rights workshops, and leadership development, while also campaigning for fair labor laws and supporting workers excluded from federal aid.
Your rights as a domestic worker
It’s important for you to know that domestic workers in NYC are protected by the New York Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. This includes the right to:
- Be paid at least the minimum wage.
- Overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a week (or over 44 hours if workers live in their employer’s home).
- A day of rest (24 consecutive hours) each week, or overtime pay if workers agree to work that day.
- Paid time off after one year of work with the same employer.
- Protection from discrimination and harassment.
The minimum wage in New York City is $16.50 per hour. In regards to overtime payment, if you work more than 40 hours in a week, or 44 if a live-in worker, workers must be paid 1.5 times of the regular rate for those extra hours.
Also Read: Wage Theft: What to Know If You Think Your Wages Are Stolen
What should I do if my employer is not paying me?
Fuller-Googins said that “it is against the law for an employer to punish a worker for asking about or defending their rights.” These are some steps to consider if you’re being underpaid and you want to seek outside assistance.
- The Paid Care Worker Rights program of the DCWP helps domestic workers and their employers resolve workplace issues in a respectful, confidential, and free way without going to court.
- Workers can send a formal letter to the employer stating the wages owed. This letter serves as a written record and puts pressure on the employer to pay. Legal aid organizations and domestic worker support groups can help with this step.
- If the issue is not resolved, the worker can file a formal complaint with the New York State Department of Labor or connect with a trusted legal aid group.
Also Read: Pro-Bono Lawyers And Free Legal Services in New York Immigration Courts
