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ex-nanny ....worse than no nanny...must vent

27 replies

majorstress · 20/09/2005 18:33

After politely letting her go (more than she deserved) with an extra days pay, I am getting several texts a day from ex "nanny" (of course another unqualified useless person which is all I could afford) demanding an extra weeks pay, mentioned in the contract somewhere. Point is, she never signed it, or if she did, never brought it back for us to countersign (there are several blank lines to fill in or sign on it, and I never saw it again after handing it over to be looked at and discussed), or provided any of the details needed to do the tax forms for nannytax, or even provided an address, all as asked by me more than once in the first week. By the second week (10 am on 3rd actual day of work) I had decided I was not happy on a number of fronts and so I would have to give up on so-called nannies and go part-time at work myself (still trying not to be despondent over that). Now I am getting threats of court, tax etc. all by text. I was contemplating paying up a bit on provision of the NI etc. details so I could at least get the tax issues straight (I am actually a stickler for that). The pay in the contract is gross so, even if I had out of kindness paid up, I think I would have been within my rights to deduct emergency tax. Now, I am too angry and feel quite determined not to pay a thing.

DH says this texting shows that I was right about her instability....though maybe this is just how people communicate now? Is there any way I can save these texts as evidence? Is this stalking? I feel very upset and afraid as well as cross.

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majorstress · 20/09/2005 18:50

Good idea about the writing, now I know what to say if she phones. I think I won't text her back at any cost, I will await the threatened court documents. Well, it never got signed because she kept changing the day and time I wanted to go over the contract (I kept re-arranging others to childmind so we wouldn't be interrupted), then kept forgetting to bring it, and the 3 days she was here both I and the previous nanny were there to oversee everything. She never had sole charge. I don't see how she can hold me to it if she didn't do what it asked and my and DH's names are not signed (though there is space and our names are typed awaiting the signatures). DH never even saw the final version!

I have really put my heart into having good care at home for my kids for over a year and I feel almost suicidal now.

OP posts:
annh · 20/09/2005 18:41

As you have presumably paid for the services of nannytax, could you call them and ask for their advice? I've (luckily) never had recourse to it but they do have a legal helpline. Also, would suggest that you respond to ex-nanny to say that you do not communicate by text and if she will put her concerns in writing, you will also respond to her in writing. TBH, I am a bit shocked that you let her start work for you without having a signed contract or (more especially) an address.