Nanny Cams- Yay or nay?

I wanted to take the time to address the subject of the nanny cam. Many parents are reassured at their nanny's work by watching a nanny cam, or are able to catch nanny doing things that may not be alright with them. Whatever the purpose behind the nanny cam, there are a few things parents and providers should keep in mind about them!

1. A nanny cam doesn't prevent your child from being harmed or neglected. The only thing a nanny cam allows a parent to do is to replay whatever horrible thing has happened to their child. Since most parents do not have remote-connecting nanny cams but ones that have to be watched AFTER the incident, it can become a sort of endless punishment that parents can watch time and time again. It only fuels the mistrust of a future nanny or any childcare provider, and in the long run could cost you the ability to even FIND another nanny.

2. Choosing not to disclose a nanny cam could result in an employee that quits on the spot. I personally, and many others I know like myself, will not work with a family who has a nanny cam. My personal beliefs are that it takes such trust to allow someone into your home to watch your children to begin with, and if I cannot be trusted to not be micromanaged and watched at every turn, I don't have any interest in working for said family. If I ever had a position where I found a 'hidden' nanny cam, I would immediately call the parents home and quit on the spot. Forget the reference, they knowingly hid something from me and possibly caught me doing embarrassing things like picking my nose, or a wedgie, or who knows what else! I have changed clothing in the homes of families before, I would HATE to think they could have possibly seen me nude or otherwise in dispose.

3. While it isn't illegal to have a hidden nanny cam, it is morally wrong on many levels. Most jobs nowadays have cameras placed throughout the building. The difference is that employees generally know of the presence of the cameras. It isn't illegal to have cameras in your home, hidden or otherwise, but it is not of very high moral character to not disclose this fact to your nanny. Many nannies are fine working with a camera about because they know it gives parents the ability to keep an eye on their children and feel safe. However, a nanny that is not told of that camera may choose to terminate her own employment when she finds it by accident one day.

All in all, I do not personally believe a nanny cam serves any purpose. A webcam that can be accessed at any time throughout the day seems a better option, and less intrusive/secretive from the nanny. If you choose to employ someone to come into your home, you should have the utmost trust and respect for that person. If you are uncomfortable enough to have a nanny cam, I would personally believe you did not trust me and thus would not accept/keep that position.