It's THE fundamental document regarding your employee.

By establishing your nanny's work contract, you formalize her employment. This document must be established without hastiness with substantial consideration because it will determine your relationship during a long period. So don't be vague! Reading these pages will allow you to not get lost and to take on your role as an employer with self-confidence!

The letter of engagement

If you don't have the time to immediately draw up the employment contract you can, for the moment (just until the end of the trial period) make do with a letter or promise of engagement.

This document should be drafted with two copies and countersigned by your nanny. It has a contractual value and therefore creates obligations for both parties.

It's a letter in which you will state your intention to employ the nanny on such and such condition (job duties, place of employment, hours, salary, reminder of the trial period, hiring date...).

A contract that complies with the labour code and labour standards

The employment contract will govern the parent-nanny relationship. 

You may not included any clauses in the contract that contract the labour code or labour standards. For example, you cannot demand that your nanny work statutory holidays without paying her the proper holiday rate (1.5x regular hourly wage).

Even if she signed the contract accepting to do so, it still goes against the labour code and therefore is not legal.

Types of contracts

Written or spoken agreement? Permanant or temporary employment? Full time or part time? Before you get started on what to include on the contract, determine which type of contract corresponds to your situation.

Content: what goes in the contract?

Mandatory clauses, recommended and additional  clauses... What should be included in the employment contract? Finding a balance to avoid misunderstandings, while leaving a certain freedom of interpretation.

Examples of contracts