Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

So annoyed - bosses are so tight!!

78 replies

NorthernNanny · 05/04/2011 14:52

I spent a day with my new charge and her mum last week to get her used to me and finalise a few things before I start properly next week.

I let MB know in the interview that the going charge is 40p per mile for petrol, going up to 45p as of tomorrow, she turned around last week and said that they wouldn't be paying me any more than 30p per mile, yet she's been saying she wants me to take the little girl (14months) to certain places which are miles away.

THEN at lunchtime she asked if I'd bought lunch with me, I said no and she looked SO put out - I felt really uncomfortable, apologised and said I could pop to the shops and buy my own lunch, she said ok at first and then said "it's fine, i'll give you a sandwich today but from now on, i'd expect you to bring your own lunch" - MB isnt going back to work until May and will be with me and charge until then - again, I only found this out last week and am not particularly happy about it - she will be making lunch for herself, I really don't see what harm a sandwich could do?!

In interview, I told her how much money I would be looking for - they managed to knock me down by £1 an hour - a lot less that I wanted but the days and hours are perfect for me and I thought that, after a year I could always ask for more.

It just really upset me that I'm going to give her daughter the best care possible and all this is making me feel like cheap labour - I agreed to a large drop in pay and they just seem to be taking the mickey a bit.

Sorry it's a long one but would love to hear from anyone with any thoughts on this. Thank you.

OP posts:
Karoleann · 05/04/2011 15:13

I thought it was very odd that my nanny wanted me to provide lunch for her, my previous one didn't expect it and i wouldn't expect to be provided with lunch in a job I had. However, as she pointed out nannies don't get a lunch break - fair point! You can't really nip out and get a sandwich.

I don't think that 30p a mile will cover your petrol either and certainly won't cover wear and tear on your car.

I'd bring the issue of petrol up again and if she won't budge then look for another position, something else with great hours etc will come along soon

PartyHands · 05/04/2011 15:12

These are not people who are going to increase your salary by a £1 per hour in a year's time. It is unconventional not to offer you some lunch. The 40p per mile charges are pretty standard too - I'm sure there are websites out there you could direct her to which indicate these are standard business charges.

Is there any chance that your initial p/h quote for the job was above market rates for the area or your experience? Whether you bother to point any of the above out to her, rather than just walk away and let her learn the hard way that her attitude isn't right, depends (for me anyway) on this question. If you think it may have been, it might be worth trying to restart the relationship by talking to her about the other stuff given that the schedule really suits you.

If you think it was entirely fair and that you are now in fact working for less than the market norms etc I would not continue with this family.

Strix · 05/04/2011 14:59

You should run away. She obviously is not an experienced nanny employer or she would have expected to feed you (or at least provide the food). And i don't think 30p per mile will cover your petrol. So, if I were you, I don't think I'd volunteer the use of my car.

Swipe left for the next trending thread