What is reasonable to provide my Au Pair for room and board?
The U.S. Department of Labor calculates 40% of minimum wage as the amount contributed to the Au Pair through room and board expenses. At minimum Go Au Pair requires the following:
- Au Pair’s room has a door which closes and which is not used for any other household purpose outside of housing the Au Pair (i.e. cannot also be used as an office, den, access to laundry room or porch, etc)
- Au Pair’s room be furnished with basic necessities such as a bed, dresser, closet and have basic amenities such as windows and pleasant decoration
- Au Pair have access to private bathroom or share a bathroom with the children only. Au Pairs cannot share bathrooms with the Host Parent(s).
- Au Pair’s board includes food which the family normally buys and consumes including eating out in restaurants when the Au Pair is invited
- Au Pair’s board includes basic toiletries such as toilet paper, tissues, shampoo, soap, etc.
As a general rule Go Au Pair recommends providing your Au Pair with the same basic supplies you would provide a friend or family member who was staying in your home. Au Pairs are financially responsible for any special furnishings, food, toiletries or any other accommodation which you normally would not purchase for your family or use in your home.