The au pair at the weekend: does an au pair have to work on Saturdays and Sundays?
Does an au pair have to have the weekend off? Can a host family plan for the au pair to help with childcare on Saturdays? And does a joint family outing on Sunday actually count as working time or free time?
The weekend in particular matters a great deal to many host families.
During the week, school, nursery, work and appointments shape everyday life. At the weekend, parents may want support so they can catch their breath, give a sibling some attention, or get something done.
In principle, an au pair can also help out on Saturdays or Sundays. All the same, there are clear rules on free time and rest days.
Does an au pair have to have every weekend off?
No.
An au pair does not fundamentally have to have Saturday and Sunday off.
In Germany, an au pair is entitled to at least one and a half full rest days per week. These do not necessarily have to fall on the weekend. However, at least one Sunday per month must be free.
In addition, the au pair is entitled to at least four free evenings per week.
In other words: weekend work is possible in principle, as long as working hours and the prescribed free time are respected.
Even so, free time should also fit around a social life
Just because something is possible in principle doesn't automatically mean it's the best solution for the whole au pair year.
Imagine your au pair has built up a circle of friends by now. The other au pairs regularly have Saturdays or Sundays off – but your au pair's free days always fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Purely in organisational terms, that can work.
But for the au pair's cultural exchange and social life, it's difficult.
An au pair year is, after all, meant to allow the au pair to make friends, get to know Germany and spend time with other young people.
Perhaps the au pair would like to visit a friend in another city and stay overnight there, or go on a day trip together with other au pairs.
That's why, at Besondere Sterne, we recommend finding a good balance when planning the weekend.
Host families are also allowed to want support at the weekend
At the same time, the other side shouldn't be forgotten.
Of course, host families are allowed to say:
"It's precisely at the weekend that we need support." (Translated)
Perhaps the week is well organised thanks to school and childcare, but on Saturday all the children are at home at the same time.
Perhaps the parents would like to get something done together for once.
Or one parent wants to take the child with a disability to an appointment or on a special outing, while the au pair spends time with the siblings.
Exactly these kinds of individual needs can be taken into account when drawing up the weekly plan.
It isn't about every weekend having to be free.
It's about finding a fair rhythm that brings family life and au pair life together.
What does free time actually mean for an au pair?
There's a very helpful question for drawing the line:
Can the au pair do as they please with this time?
If yes, then it is, in principle, free time.
The au pair can sleep, meet friends, go into town, stay in their room or go on an outing.
They don't have to stay in the house, and they don't have to wait around in case the family needs them after all.
If, on the other hand, their presence is required and they are expected to look after the children or support the family, then it is working time.
A family outing with the au pair: working time or free time?
This is where misunderstandings arise particularly often.
The family goes to the zoo, the swimming pool or a theme park on Saturday.
The au pair comes along.
Is that working time?
If the family says:
"We're taking the children to the swimming pool today and need your support. Please come along." (Translated)
then that is working time.
Even if the au pair swims, eats ice cream and has a lovely day.
They are there because their presence and support are expected.
“We're inviting you along – but you don't have to come”
It looks quite different when the au pair genuinely has time off.
The family might, for example, say:
"Today is your day off. We're going to the zoo for a few hours. If you fancy it, you're very welcome to join us. Of course, you're just as welcome to spend your day off with friends or relax at home." (Translated)
Now the au pair has a genuine choice.
If they choose to come along of their own free will, they can experience the day as a family member for a while.
Naturally, it's still fine to briefly discuss beforehand how this shared outing is meant to work.
If the au pair voluntarily joins in as a family member, that doesn't automatically mean they should take over childcare for several hours.
At the same time, a joint family outing is of course a shared experience in which everyone looks out for one another a little.
Two versions, one outing
Version 1: The au pair accompanies the family because they are expected to help. This time counts as part of the agreed au pair duties.
Version 2: "You have tomorrow off. We're going to the swimming pool. If you'd like, we're inviting you to come along." (Translated)
The au pair decides for themselves.
This same distinction also helps with the zoo, a park, a family celebration, an outing or other shared activities.
Weekend work belongs in the weekly plan
If you need your au pair at the weekend, plan these hours in as early as possible.
It's best to discuss the following as part of the shared weekly plan:
When is the au pair needed on Saturday? Is Sunday free? Is there any evening babysitting? Which free days does the au pair get during the week to make up for it? Does the au pair already have private plans?
Weekend work naturally also counts towards the au pair's permitted working hours.
Being part of the family while still respecting free time
It's precisely this mix that sometimes makes the au pair model special.
An au pair isn't a conventional employee who goes home once their shift ends.
They live with the family.
They might sit at the table for Sunday breakfast even though they have the day off. They come along to the zoo voluntarily. They watch a film together in the evening or join in the family celebration.
That's being part of the family.
But being part of the family must not be confused with constant availability.
An au pair is allowed to be part of the family and still be off duty.
Finding a good middle ground
An au pair is allowed to work at the weekend.
A host family is allowed to want support, particularly on Saturdays or Sundays.
At the same time, the au pair needs enough opportunities to maintain friendships, meet other au pairs, get to know Germany and, now and then, spend a weekend away from the host family.
That's why not every weekend has to look the same.
Perhaps one Saturday is a working day and the next is free. Perhaps the family regularly needs support on Saturdays, but makes sure to allow a whole free weekend again and again in return.
What matters is clear agreements and a fair weekly plan.
Because in the end, both things should be possible:
The family gets support when it genuinely needs it – and the au pair gets enough free time to make the stay their own au pair year too.
