How much to pay 2 girls to water deck plants for a week?

[sam_gordon]

I pay by hour minimum. If it takes an hour you get paid for an hour, if it takes 15 I pay for an hour. I once had a young teen come to my house after school while my twins were sleeping to sit on my couch while I picked others up at school. It took about 20 minutes but I’m not paying her $5 a day to keep every afternoon free for me.

I think that's reasonable. I would not include travel time.

 

[mjkacmom]

How many plants are there? Are we talking a dozen on a porch or porch plants, indoor plants, and a dozen flower/veggies beds?

Well I’ve never been in the backyard, and there is a sprinkler system, it takes about 20 minutes per day. Unfortunately I won’t have any daughters around in august to do it this year, I was just with her next door neighbor who watches the dog and she’s guessing it will be her this year (she’s 70).

 

[TLSnell1981]

US employers do not pay for travel to the job and I would not pad it, but your other ideas have merit. Part of the idea of employing young people is so they can realize some realistic work experience. So, if it takes 15 minutes a day for about 8 trips (7 days plus 1 for orientation) at minimum wage rates of $15/hr, then $30 total for the whole job would be fine. Make the payment in $5 bills x 6 with the envelope addressed to both of them and leave it to their partnership as to how to divide it. Pay after the job is done. Offer a reference letter if they did an excellent job.

They are 12 and 14 year old kids not employees. It is simply a loose formula to calculate compensation for watering the plants. I would consider travel and actual time to water the plants plus a little extra. I am extremely appreciative of others helping me.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[sam_gordon]

Well, sort of. It is actually employment or at least a contract for labor. But, if you want to treat it as a gratuity and pay more (by whatever formula pleases them and/or you), you are welcome to do so and I am sure that is appreciated too.

I'm confused. Isn't EVERY job paid based on an agreement between employer and employee? Don't think minimum wage would apply here, so there's nothing forcing a certain amount.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm confused. Isn't EVERY job paid based on an agreement between employer and employee? Don't think minimum wage would apply here, so there's nothing forcing a certain amount.

Well again just a formula I use for adequate compensation IMO. There have been times they refused cash and I gifted movie tickets and maybe dining cards, etc I’ve NEVER hired a 12 or 14 year old much less provided a 1099.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well again just a formula I use for adequate compensation IMO. There have been times they refused cash and I gifted movie tickets and maybe dining cards, etc I’ve NEVER hired a 12 or 14 year old much less provided a 1099.

Oh, I totally get it. I was more questioning @Ms Bibbidi's comment of "if you want to treat it as a gratuity and pay more... " Pay more than what?

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

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[Ms Bibbidi]

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[sam_gordon]

A gratuity is often just a gift or donation. I am not talking about a customary tip, but a real gratuity. It depends on an intent to give a gift. So there is no amount for that. How much is transferred depends entirely on the donative intent or the recipient’s need and a donative goal. It does not have to bear any relationship to current market value of the services rendered.

But why worry about classifying it as a "gratuity"? Nothing HAS to bear any relationship to "current market value".