The Risks of Hiring Grey Market Nannies in Canada
Finding quality childcare is difficult. With a shortage of nannies and long daycare waiting lists, some families find themselves venturing into the grey market.
Hiring unregulated nannies poses many risks not only to you and the nanny but also to your children. Between the safety, legal, and financial concerns, it is not worth the risk.
We'll outline what exactly the grey market of nannies is and the potential pitfalls in Canada. We'll also emphasize the importance of understanding and navigating these hazards.
What Are Grey Market Nannies?
Grey market nannies are:
"Nannies that a family hires without following the legal and regulated employment laws."
For example, foreign nannies without proper documentation, such as a work permit, would fall under the grey market. Other examples could include paying nannies under the table or falsely classifying them as independent contractors.
Risks of Hiring Grey Market Nannies
Some people turn to the grey market because of how hard it is to find a nanny, and some because it can be a cheaper option. Whether you knowingly or unknowingly hire an unregulated nanny, you can still face legal consequences. So, as an employer, it's important for you to follow the proper procedures when hiring.
Lack of Regulation
With no regulations in the grey market, you expose yourself to challenges. There are no employment standards required to be upheld and no one to go to if something does go wrong within the employment. This can cause safety concerns and unethical working relationships.
Safety Concerns
Other than a lack of regulations, you could face other safety concerns. For example, an undocumented nanny may not call the police if something goes wrong, fearing that they may be caught. This leaves your children at risk in the case of an emergency.
Risk of Being Caught
Hiring an undocumented nanny means that they could be caught and forced to leave Canada at any time. This isn't a reliable solution and could leave you stranded without a nanny at any moment.
Financial and Legal Concerns
Engaging in the grey market can have financial and legal implications as well. Not following tax obligations and employment standards or misclassifying employment relationships may result in fines and legal battles. Additionally, if a nanny is injured on the job, you could be liable for costs or medical care. Understand these consequences to make informed decisions and safeguard your financial standing.
No Background Checks
If an employee isn't legally in the country, you likely will not be able to do a criminal record check. Since you don't have the proper identification documents, you cannot check within Canada. Criminal record checks offer you peace of mind, which is why all AmbiMi nannies are background-checked. Without it, you are unsure of a nanny's history, which can put your family at risk.
Impact on Reputation
Grey market employment can tarnish your family's reputation and affect future hiring prospects. If you’re in a regulated profession, such as a lawyer, doctor, accountant or company director, legal issues could have an impact on your employment and professional standing. Word-of-mouth travels fast.
How to Make Sure You Legally Hire a Nanny
You can follow our instructions in this blog to learn how to hire nannies legally in Canada. In this process, you will get their SIN number and work permit to submit to the CRA. This will ensure that they are documented in Canada. Understanding employment regulations is essential to creating a secure and ethical work environment.
Connect with platforms (like AmbiMi) that focus on ethical and legal employment practices for a trustworthy hiring process. AmbiMi conducts thorough vetting, fostering positive, respectful working relationships.