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

Is there some law about Au Pairs and how long they're supposed to work?

31 replies

plug · 11/05/2006 13:59

My lovely cleaner (aged 18) is an au pair for another family. Dad works away a lot and Mum runs her own business - they have three kids. Au pair has been doing more and more childcare, culminating in being left in sole charge of all three children over the whole Bank Holiday weekend Sad.

Is there anything she can do apart from leave? I feel very sorry that she's being exploited like this.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
plug · 11/05/2006 16:14

She's an EU citizen. She probably shouldn't be doing extra work now as she looks so tired Sad. What a mess. Thanks for the input though - think I'll talk to her and suggest she looks elsewhere.

OP posts:
Uwila · 11/05/2006 15:05

Is she actually here on an au pair visa or is she say an EU citizen?

annh · 11/05/2006 15:04

I think the allowance is more like £60 a week now, but the amount she may or may not be getting paid is really secondary to the fact that she is obviously working way too many hours. Don't know whether au pairs are or aren't suposed to do other work but any I have ever known have had additional income from babysitting, cleaning, ironing etc. In the case of your cleaner, my only real concern would be whether she is up to doing work outside of her aupair family if she is doing so many hours for them.

acnebride · 11/05/2006 14:57

No more than five hours a day, at least 2 full days off a week - I think. (I'm not legally qualified). Suggested allowance £45 pw?

And I'm afraid I'd question whether she should be doing other paid work as well.

annh · 11/05/2006 14:52

OMG, someone left an 18-year old in charge of 3 children for a weekend?! Some people really do abuse their aupairs don't they? I don't know that there is much that the girl can do. If she came here through an agency perhaps they could speak to the family? Otherwise, I think the only thing she can do is say that she's not happy to work so many hours or have so much responsibility. Sadly, that may well end up in her parting company with the family.

Original poster
plug · 11/05/2006 14:22

.

OP posts: