A job advert for baby sitter offering $1.36 has sparked outrage among internet users. The pay, the post indicated, said that the parents are willing to pay $15/day-$45/week and $90 by-weekly, on a bi-weekly basis. The post explained the rate is due to the recent rising cost of gas.
The post was shared on Reddit's Choosy Beggars forum by Merlotded, who captioned it "$1.36 an hour."
Netizens believe a parent based in Utah made the ad, further explaining that they were looking for a couple of new babysitters for their daughter.
The babysitters will be working on shifts for three days each. One will work from Monday to Wednesday, while the other will work from Thursday to Saturday.
The parents explained that the babysitter would also need to assist in the medication as their six-year-old daughter takes it twice daily. The babysitter is expected to give her night medicine to ensure her routine, and expressed that the new babysitters are needed the soonest time possible and must have at least two references.
Using the mom's rate, the babysitter would earn $147.40 daily for almost 12 hours of work.
Outraged reactions from Reddit Users
As per Newsweek, the post has garnered over 10,000 upvotes since Saturday, sparked a lengthy and fierce discussion online. Some Reddit users said that although rough times, it was insane for the babysitter to work for 12 hours for $15.
CryptoCharcoal shared that they are paying their sitter $15 an hour and thought the rate was cheap.
A comment from Kali_Yuga_ raged said that the parent did not even consider that gas is more expensive and the times are tough for everyone, not just her.
Another user said the parent's rate was the babysitter rate in 1970.
As per the Automobile Association of America (AAA), the current national average gas price is $4.981 per gallon. In Utah, where the parent is believed to be from, the average cost at the pump is $5.111.
Ihatethesidebar thought that the rate is because the mom does not, and "likely never has," respect other people's labor and not about the tough times.
What's the fair rate for babysitters?
In 2021, Love to Know said that the national average hourly rate for a babysitter is $18.36/hour for one child and $21.23/hour for two children, depending on the state.
The average rate for babysitting in Texas is $15.00/hour, while in big cities like San Francisco, the rate of sitters is higher, at $21.17 per hour for a single child.
Other factors to consider in coming up with the rate are the applicant's experience and education. According to Parents, the price is higher for college-educated sitters who lead kids in activities like art, music, dancing, and homework.
Couples should expect a higher babysitting cost if they have more than one child under the age of two or if they are getting together with friends for a shared nanny or sitter.
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