Cutting hours?

[Ljca]

Hi,
I currently nanny for 3 days a week, for 12 hours per day therefore 36 hours altogether per week.
The family have told me they need to cut my hours, due to the little one attending a preschool, therefore I'll work 6 hours per day instead of 12 and therefore 18 hours altogether per week.

I am after some advice really, as the family will still want me to be available should the child be sick and therefore I need to be available every day, on call in case this happens. Therefore, I couldn't get another job for those hours.
Also, I would still be needed fulltime during all the school holidays.

Please advise, as I can't afford such a drastic cut in wages and I can't be expected to be on call and work for free during the holidays.

Thanks...

[Chippychop]

My childminder told me to keep my dd's place she'd charge me half rate. I think it's unrealistic for them to assume you would be able or willing to manage on reduced money/hrs. If I were you I'd look for another child to take on too.

[flowery]

Have they actually said they expect you to remain on call for no pay and to work for free during holiday time? Because that would be very surprising. Assuming they haven't actually said that I don't think you need to assume that's what they think will happen, especially the bit about working for free.

Ask them to clarify exactly what they would like to happen in terms of your availability both during the 'core' 18 hours and at other times, and ask for their proposal in terms of pay.

[Ljca]

Thanks Chippychop and flowery! My boss hasn't specified what she will pay me, what should I suggest?

Thanks...

[Chippychop]

I think you need to work out what is acceptable and what's not for you.
IMO I think it's unacceptable for them to expect you to be on hold until they decide what to do. At least I'd want hAlf pay for the hours you don't have the child if they want to keep a place open. Also I'd be looking to take on another child in order to makeup your pay. It's not up to them to decide what you can do

[Ljca]

Thanks Chippychop, I get paid £9.70 per hour at the minute before tax and NI. Plus I'll still be woirking the full 12 hours in all the school hols (Summer, Easter, Christmas, half-terms etc.)

[Ljca]

I have since been told that they would pay me the full rate for the full days I work and for the hols but as a goodwill gesture an extra hour pay (£9.70) for being on call for 6 hours per day.
This is not suitable what do you think?

[Ellypoo]

I guess it would depend how much notice they would plan to give you if they needed you to work, and what you would be happy to accept.

If you could take on another child during those 'on call' hours, would you be able to look after both charges if the original one was sick (or not at pre-school for any other reason)?

I would imagine that you wouldn't actually be needed most of the time that you were on call - is there possibly another job that you could do from home which could be flexible if you did need to look after the child afterall?

[Chippychop]

I think they are obviously wanting to keep hold of you so they must like you/ you must be good.

I'd ask for half pay/per hour or negotiate a set extra amount not just 1 hrs extra pay, thats a liberty...and I'd look for another child to look after.
Have you actually worked our how money you are going to be down? Perhaps you should and point this out to them.

This isn't about the child it's about you and your family and what YOU will have to do without.

[Ljca]

They are not willing to pay half pay just the £9.70 for the 6 on call hours, back to the drawing board...

[Chippychop]

Lets lay out your options:

A) agree with what they are offering
B) don't agree to it and find another job
C) agree to it and secretly look for alternative employment
D) agree to it and look for other children to look at the same time

FYI I paid £4.20 to my childminder PER CHILD per hour you wouldn't need many children to beat your hourly rate now.

Now I'd work out the pro's and cons of each option.

[CelineMcBean]

They are taking the piss. I suspect what they want is a nanny share arrangement. Perhaps suggest that?

[CelineMcBean]

How long have you worked there? This may be a redundancy situation. Childminding is not comparable because you are an employee and childminders are not.

[Chippychop]

I agree childminding is not a comparable option but it is an alternative option..

I also agree a nanny share is an alternative though

Give some agencies a call tomorrow to find out what other jobs are going

[Ljca]

...update...since found out that by cutting my hours, it was my boss's way of letting me go! She didn't want me any more and therefore wanted me to leave on my own accord!!
I should learn from experience really after 2 years they said I was part of the family but no was just hired help...back to the drawing board...out of work come January!
Thanks everyone for your advice...

[CelineMcBean]

You should get redundancy pay after 2 years and she should write to you giving notice.

What a horrible way to behave towards you. If she had been straight and done things by the book I bet it would have been much less painful all round :(

[Chippychop]

What a dirty trick! Sounds like you are well rid. Ask her for a reference now. And start looking ASAP

[Ljca]

Thanks Celine, I will be getting redundancy pay!!
I have asked for a reference Chippychop and I'm looking now...
x

[Chippychop]

Good luck x