Not sure if this goes here, exactly. Basically, what I’m asking is, is it ethical to spy on your nanny with a nannycam? Most people would see that as a bit dodgy. But what about setting up a blog to report on “bad” nannies? (Details in this article )
It’s somewhat understandable to want to know what’s going on with your child. But it creeps me out in a very Big Brother is watching you way, as well. And why leave your children with people you don’t really trust? Nanny cams, nanny blogs–all of this basically suggests to me that the people who hire nannies and swear to treat them like one of the family are in reality pretty anxious about what is going on with their kids.
Some of the details in the article also seemed nitpicky–one posting about a nanny who didn’t wipe the kids feet off before putting on shoes? Who decides what’s a grave infraction and what isn’t? And there’s no way of verifying any of what’s going on.
For these reasons, I’d say this is pretty unethical. But then, as the article notes (re: the woman whose employer wanted to pay her under the table), it’s not as if it’s anything new, considering how well nannies are treated by their employers in general.
Meh. Employers can check your Email at work. This is a person whos trusted with your children. I don’t have any ethical issues with checking up on them. I’m not sure I’d work for a family that spied on me though.
I don’t have any children but I believe there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Spying on someone I pay to take care of them doesn’t even brush the surface of the horrible shit I would endure to make sure their safe. I guess that about sums it up.
But a website isn’t a camera. It’s all pretty much based on hearsay pretty much. Or things that people thought they saw and are now reporting for parents that might read it.
Well, if your employer fires you for not wiping the kid’s feet before putting on shoes, then you’re better off being fired. You’re better off with no job than working for a crazy person.
As for the contention that it makes no sense to leave your kids with someone you don’t really trust, well, that just means that no one could employ a nanny. Sure, employers should trust their employees, but it’s one thing if the employees screw up and wreck the company truck, it’s another if they screw up and wreck your kid.
I would do the same thing for just about anyone that was going to be working in my home while I wasn’t there. We’ve discussed hiring a maid service and I would make sure I was either there or had cameras in place.
I am a nanny and I have been nanny-cammed so to speak. When my employers first hired me on they informed me that the cameras were there, but didn’t tell me where exactly. I had absolutely no problem with it. Nor should any nanny who is doing their job properly.
They didn’t know me very well when I was first hired on and since I have been working for them for a few years now they know longer use the cameras. They want to make sure their kids are getting the best care possible and what better way to make sure? I also wouldn’t really care if they asked me politely after watching a video if I could please wipe little Jimmy’s feet before putting his shoes on. Weird, sure, but it’s their kid and if that is what they want then so be it.
I will say this though, if I found out they had put my name on a website saying “we saw on the nanny cam that shegasphorror did not wipe little Jimmy’s feet before she put his shoes on!” I probably would start looking for another job. Nanny jobs are pretty easy to come by and there is no need to put up with that at all.
Okay, fair enough. The general aura of protectiveness rubs me the wrong way. But I suppose cameras are used in many other circumstances.
The website, though, seems to change things because it’s not as objective as a video camera. (Though video cameras are sometimes subjective, too–there was that case a few years ago of the nanny who supposedly shook a baby because there were too few frames per second on the camera, but that’s besides the point.)
I think once you have reason to suspect there’s something wrong and they’re at fault it’s more acceptable, rather than spying on them from day one without due cause.
You really think so? I’d say - oposite. From the beginning, and when You make sure it’s ok, nothing goes wrong- then turn them of. I am a nanny too. And I think waiting till You have due couse… well if it turnes You were right then it’s already too late. The shit had happend. Would You wait? And what if it was something serious? You saw it, ok. But better earlier than too late. And as for al cam thing. Nobody likes being spied on. We- Nannys are coming to love those kids eventually. and it’s nice to have some privacy, but I would have understod if my boss wanted the cams.
You can always replace a broken vase or clean up spilled milk. I don’t think that’s possible with a child that is hit, shaken or abused in some way.
I grew up in the time of giving people the benefit of the doubt and I still harbor such attitudes. However, people continue to amaze me at how low they choose to be and to act these days, despite appearing wholesome and upstanding when the light is on.
There are no second chances with your kids. Trust, but verify.
I’m in the process of wiring my house with cameras for the G’ma. If we hired a nanny or babysitter, they would just have to deal with the fact that G’ma can peek in on her little baby anytime she pleases.
I really don’t see the ethical dilemma.
It’s my house, my kid. I’m not putting cameras in the bathroom. There’s not a reasonable expectation of privacy that’s being violated.
You don’t see the dilemma? well- maybe You don’t. Except- try to understand that those cameras mind peek on something that has nothing to do with Your kids and is only personal thing of Your nany. she is peeking up the phones- like her cell when the kids are asleep. maybe she would liked to know that “The big Brother” is watching and listenning???
I see nothing wrong with it, especially since I know of a woman who is rather crazy and is certified by the state to have a daycare. She’s never harmed the children that I know of, but there’s always a first time for everything.
I personally believe that before a person gets licensed, they should have a thorough psychiatric evaluation, their past should be clear of any psychiatric treatment, weekly and surprise drug tests and it should be mandatory that cameras be placed in the daycare center. The parents should also have a right to review said tapes at anytime.
I mean, there are strict protocols for other jobs that don’t even involve watching children.