The Work as Au-Pair
The day to day work of an Au-Pair is very variable. It depends on the nature and lifestyle of the family, which has accepted the Au-Pair. “Au-Pair” means” on equal terms” (living and working with each other). A young girl or a young man, who wants to come to Germany under this arrangement should imagine her/himself as the daughter or son of a German family temporally. But what would be required of them in the house/ apartment and family?
Everyday life of an Au-Pair involves: carrying out light housework, helping to keep the apartment clean and tidy as well as helping with washing and ironing; preparing breakfast and simple meals; looking after the younger children, which may involve supervising them and accompanying them to kindergarden or school or certain events, going for walks with them or playing; looking after the house/apartment, helping in the garden and tending to pets.
The following account of an Au-Pair might be typical:
“The morning begins with me waking, washing and dressing the children and eating breakfast with them so that they can be taken to school round 8 am. As soon as the parents leave home – the mother works half days, I begin to tidy up the room, then I prepare a simple meal and eat with the children.
In the early afternoon they mostly go out of the house and I travel by bus or tube to town to attend a language course and following that I do my homework. Then I have to bathe the little ones before supper and get them ready for bed. Naturally I read them stories. When the parents stay at home I have the evening off, otherwise I stay with children till they go to sleep. I spend the rest of the evening together with the parents in the living room or in my room. I read, sew or watch TV. It’s at least 10 km to the town centre and the bus connections are very good. Sometimes I meet other Au-Pairs or students from my language school and we go out for a drink”
Rights and Obligations
A European decree of the European Council relating to the occupation of Au pair contains guidelines for living and work conditions, language instruction, social protection as well as the rights and obligations of the host family and the placed Au-Pair. This decree was not ratified by the Federal Republic of Germany, but is generally followed in practice. In addition certain procedures prevail as people have been familiar with the role of Au-Pair in Germany for many years.
Duration of the Stay
Au-Pairs are mostly accepted by the family for a period of 10-12 months. The minimum possible stay by law would be 6 month. But the parents and the children have a big interest that you stay as long as possible.
Work and Leisure Time
The daily working time should basically not exceed 6 hours. If, for a special reason, more hours are required, then there must be prior consultation. The overtime must be compensated for by time off or sometimes extra money.
The division of working time is organised according to the conditions and needs of the family; however, a certain regularity can be expected in the daily routine. The Au-Pair has at least 1,5 full day off a week (not necessarily on weekends, but at least one Sunday in the month should be free). If the Au-Pair is accepted by the family for a full year a holiday of 4 weeks is due to her. When the family goes on holidays often the AuPair accompanies them and then must undertake certain tasks and obligations e.g.
looking after the children.
Language Course
Every Au-Pair must be given the possibility of participating in a German course in her time off, as well as attending cultural and mentally stimulating events. In general the AuPairs can attend a language school 3 times a week for about 3 hours a day. The family will pay the travel costs to go to the language school. Sometimes they benefit you with the language costs or pay for it If you are diligent, committed and highly motivated.
Board and Lodging
Board and lodging are naturally provided by the family free of charge. You will have your own room with a bed, locker and a table. You will eat together with the family and will receive the same food as the members of the family.
Pocket money and Travelling Expenses
An Au-Pair is not a household employee. The main thing is to develop language proficiency and broaden general understanding through a better knowledge of the host country. An Au-Pair receives therefore no salary in the usual sense but as it were merely pocket money. The amount of the pocket money is 260 EURO a month. The travel costs are not as a rule paid by the family. The family has to pay the travel costs if you go to a language school. In our agency the family pays the public transport ticket so you are mobile every day.
Medical and Accident Insurance
An Au-Pair must be insured in Germany in every case against sickness and accident and damage. The costs are borne by the family. The question whether compulsory insurance is covered in the regular medical insurance is unfortunately not uniformly addressed by the medical insurance schemes in Germany. In case the Au-Pair is not covered by the regular medical insurance a reasonable priced private medical insurance should be unconditionally taken out in conjunction by the host family. Please do not fail to go to the dentist before coming to Germany. Only painkilling treatments are covered no dental prostheses.
Cancellation of the Work Arrangement
The Au-Pair arrangement is restricted to a set length of time. Consequently it finishes on the expiry of the agreed upon time. Before the expiry of this time the contract arrangement can be in principle cancelled only by mutual consent (cancellation of the contract). If there is a serious reason then it is possible, however, to be terminated without notice. In most cases both parties agree that the Au-Pair stays as long as it takes to find another family or a replacement for the family. In general you should avoid changing the family. A change is always psychological stress for both sides and for the kids. Yet it should be understood that there is to be no separation during the early days of living together; from experience after a while the Au-Pair will get over the initial “culture shock” (e.g. because of different customs and food) with a positive attitude. Should it however not be possible to live together harmoniously then the Au-Pair agent should be informed as soon as possible. The agent will try to assess the situation as objectively as possible and find a satisfactory solution for both parties. There will be no charge for finding a new family if necessary.
Application and Placement
Au-Pairs must be at least 18 years old. Au-Pairs not from the EU/EEC countries should in applying for their visas be under the age of 25.
Those interested should complete their application details (application form, pictures, family letter in possibly in German, German language proof at least Level A1, 2 childcare references, character reference, criminal record, medical report) carefully and precisely if preferable in German language (or English) and include a suitable passport photo.
In selecting an Au-Pair the agent will take onto consideration as much as possible what the family and the Au-Pair have said about themselves. The supply of interested families is generally high in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Entry and Residence Requirements
Foreign Au-Pairs if they are not citizens of a country belonging to the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Community (EEC) need a residence permit and a work permit for the Federal Republic of Germany. The residence permit must be applied for before departure from the appropriate German representative (that is the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany or an appropriate regional consulate) in the form of a visa. The entry visa requires the prior consent of the appropriate foreign authority of the host family’s region. The work permit is issued on application to the appropriate regional employment office. It requires the existence of a valid residence permit or confirmation. Those belonging to non EU/EEC countries need for the entry and duration of the anticipated residence a valid passport from their country of origin; those from EU/EEC member countries need only their valid identity card for entry. It is recommended, however, to also have a passport (in case of losing the identity card).
Last of All
The Au-Pair agent can answer further questions. The agent will stand by the Au-Pair during the stay in case of possible difficulties. If there are problems with the agent the Au-Pair can turn to the appropriate German state employment office. For this there must exist serious reasons.
When you have decided to come as an Au-Pair to Germany go to your family with an open mind and talk to them candidly about the customs and habits – which you would really like to get to know in Germany.
Make an earnest and worthwhile effort to improve your knowledge of German and resolve to have a valuable life experience from the many fresh and different impressions, which are sometimes difficult but also fine. Nothing then can stand in the way of a successful stay in Germany.