Complaint - Au Pair Agency LCC Not Doing Her Job!
I have a complaint to register. I live on the East Coast and I use one of the leading agencies where I am very happy. I match with Chinese au pairs - my adopted baby is from China and we want our daughter to learn about her culture and background. So, for us, the au pair program has been great.
We have issue with another agency and a local cluster where the LCC does nothing for her au pairs, and these au pairs tend to show up at our meetings! I usually host 3 events during the year at our home (we have a pool) and each time one of these au pairs shows up. Yes, the girls in our cluster invites them but when you start talking to these girls you understand why they come around ( our counselor says they show up for other meetings all year).
These au pairs say their LCC does not hold meetings or even bother to call them. When they do have an issue or problem, it is very difficult to get in touch with her.
I would like to share this with your readers - I live in the NJ/NY/CT area and I would like to see this LCC fired but we have no way to handle this since this is not our au pair agency. What would you suggest? I even hesitate to name the agency here.
Advice on LCCs not doing their job....
Hi Jake, I think that Mitchie outlined exactly what I would suggest to you - you need to take charge of the situation and have a good discussion with your LCC first, then if nothing changes, go up the ladder, starting with her immediate supervisor. This usually works pretty well!
What you are describing is not uncommon and au pairs will meet and make friends outside of their agency cluster. They go to classes together and meet in the supermarkets, libraries and on the Internet! Brazilian au pairs have a strong and large base throughout the U.S. and find each other on the internet.
Try talking to your counselor and ask her to call this LCC - if she feels uncomfortable insist or tell her you will. You can always ask the au pairs from this other agency who the LCC is and what is her phone number.
But, try to understand that these au pairs want to connect and belong, and try to be tolerant until this gets worked out for the best!
Let us know....
Edina
Complaint - Au Pair Agency LCC Not Doing Her Job!
Hi Jake,
Aupairclearinghouse has become a great place for families to express what is on their mind.
But expressing it on here alone will not help to resolve the problem.
The only way the agency can help to resolve the problem is by making them aware that one exists. Encourage the au pairs to contact the main office of the agency and discuss their concerns.
On another note monthly meetings are not a requirement of the au pair program but rather monthly contact. Some of the information in the regulations I have included below and can be found on the U.S. Department of State web site http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/programs/aupair.html
" (6) Require that each local organizational representative maintain a record of all personal monthly contacts (or more frequently as required) with each au pair and host family for which he or she is responsible and issues or problems discussed"
(l) Monitoring. Sponsors shall fully monitor all au pair exchanges, and at a minimum shall:
(1) Require monthly personal contact by the local counselor with each au pair and host family for which the counselor is responsible. Counselors shall maintain a record of this contact"
The agency that I am a coordintor with does require all their coordinators to hold monthly meetings.
At the minimum the coordinator should be speaking to each au pair monthly and if this is not happening than the agency should totally be made aware.
Hoping these Au Pairs speak out soon.
Michele
http://mchazen.aupairnews.com
Thanks for the kind words!
Hi Michele, thank you for the kind words about our website! I do appreciate the feedback! I think you are so right, if the organization does not know there is a problem, how can they address it?
I don't think it is relevant what agency this LCC is from, the fact remains the au pairs are getting the short end of the stick and they need more contact and assistance from their agency!
Best,
Edina
why not name the agency, why hesitate
I think for purposes of aiding other families, you should name this agency!
Sounds familiar
We had this problem with our old agency, Cultural Care. Could that be who it is? Hmmmm?
No kidding aside, this agency does have issues with their LCCs, either they are really terrific and care about their families and au pairs, or they are in this business just to make sales (money). Unforutnately, we had the former. She dazzled us with her personality and sales polish, but sadly, that is all that is was. We couldn't get her on the phone during a crisis and she was pretty much absent for the entire length of our contract. We did switch over to another agency, that we will name: Au Pair Care.
cultural care's LCCs
I have had very good experiences with my LCC from Cultural Care! No issues and she is very good with our au pairs too. Why do you say this agency has "issues" 'with their LCCs? What issues are you talking about?
Cultural Care Host Mom
I can confirm this too
Cultural Care has had mixed reviews regarding their services in the past few years, but one thing I hear over and over is how great their LCCs are (yes, there are some host families who say the opposite). If you can find a great LCC (or any counselor) in your area, and the agency is sound and reliable, I would consider choosing the agency based on your impressions of the LCC or counselor.
If you and she (or he) do not see eye-to-eye and basically do not get on with one and another, move on and find a LCC that you can relate to and who has a great track record. How can you find out? Do a little research. Find her blog (does she have a lot of info and interesting events listed?); ask around town and find out who creates the most positive buzz; google her (you can find out if she is a writer, or has posted on other blogs, etc.); ask au pairs in the area (who is your counselor) and find out if they like her or not, etc.
It takes work, but if you set the groundwork you can have a fantastic cultural exchange program at very cost-effective prices! Today, stretching the family dollar matters!