Protect Yourself from Internet Danger
Internet Danger
Warning About the Dangers of Host Families and Nannies Connecting Through the Internet
This warning regarding host families and nannies finding each other via the internet, and the risks involved, will be published worldwide in the near future. Below, we provide detailed information about this significant issue.
Dear Host Family and Nanny,
We would like to warn you about the way host families and nannies connect with each other through the internet in today’s digital world.
The government considers these developments to be particularly risky and wishes to make both host families and nannies aware of the serious dangers involved in finding a host family or nanny through unverified online channels.
As the umbrella organization for this sector, we regularly receive complaints directly related to host families and nannies who have met through the internet. In many cases, neither party truly knows the other, and there are often instances of inaccurate or deliberately misleading information being provided.
The consequences, especially for host families, can be far-reaching. Dutch laws and regulations are very clear on this matter.
For example:
You find what appears to be a suitable nanny through the internet. After several telephone conversations, emails, and other communications, you decide to invite her to work as a nanny in your family.
The nanny arrives, but after some time it becomes clear that she has come to stay with your family for reasons entirely different from those originally agreed upon. She claims that she is required to work too many hours, demands more pocket money, and raises other complaints. The host family believes that all these matters had been clearly agreed upon beforehand.
The nanny then hires a lawyer and claims entitlement to the statutory minimum hourly wage under Dutch labor law. By taking this position, her status may fall under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act (WAV – Wet Arbeid Vreemdelingen).
The host family may then face a lengthy, unpleasant, and costly legal procedure. If the nanny succeeds in her claim, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) may also become involved. Since the nanny is then considered an employee, the host family may be required to pay wage tax and social security contributions. The host family may have believed they had found an affordable au pair, but instead they could face significant legal and financial consequences.
The risks are no different for a nanny who finds a host family through the internet.
A host family may present an inaccurate picture of the living and working conditions. Once the nanny arrives in the Netherlands, reality may be very different. Her room may be in an unheated attic, deductions may be made from her pocket money for various reasons, or she may even be asked to leave the family home. She may then have to return to her home country—but who will pay for her return journey if she has no money?
These are only a few examples of the problems that can arise when host families and nannies find each other through the internet without proper supervision.
Government-recognized au pair agencies registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) have a legal obligation not only to screen both host families and nannies, but also to provide accurate information and exercise a duty of care.
By working with a registered agency, both host families and nannies can be confident that they receive reliable information and proper guidance before entering into any agreements, helping to protect the interests and safety of both parties.