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Original poster

CM Club: Oopps..I've cocked up

57 replies

Katymac · 25/09/2006 20:45

I employed someone - she started today

She smokes (not at my house) and she stinks

Already 3 parents have commented

I posted in Employment Issues asking if I could sack her & the consensus is no

Which means I am stuffed as who wants to collect their child from the C/Mers smelling of smoke

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StrawberryMoon · 26/09/2006 17:51

and now you have one more thing you have to add to your employment contract/discuss in interviews!..thankgod she went so easilly tho'!

dmo · 26/09/2006 17:09

poor you but you did the right thing
her attiude was wierd
anyway back to the grind and advertise again i think you had a lucky escape imo
at least you know what to look for now

smeeinit · 26/09/2006 16:55

you back to advertising for staff now then katy?!
shame in not in norfolk!

RTKangaMummy · 26/09/2006 16:03

Weird response

Must have very heavy smoker to stink that much !!!!!!!!!!

IMHO you are well rid of her

StrawberryMoon · 26/09/2006 15:48

??????????????????????????????

well rid IMO if she's not that botherd!

phew..now thats over with!

Original poster
Katymac · 26/09/2006 15:30

WEll I rang

And I said "I found it really embarrassing but would just come out with it - that some parents had mentioned the smell of smoke and that it was unacceptable in a childcare setting"

Then I said "I don't know if you smoke or if someone in your household does"

She said "it's someone in the house...well we better forget it then as I can't do anything about it - I had a shower and changed my clothes"

"Oh" said I "ummm i'll send your cheque for the work you have done"

"fine" and the phone goes down

I felt a bit......non-plussed (I think that's the word)

OP posts:
StrawberryMoon · 26/09/2006 15:26

how'd it go?

Original poster
Katymac · 26/09/2006 07:50

Gee thanks

I have all the fun jobs

OP posts:
dmo · 26/09/2006 07:38

good luck today

nannynick · 25/09/2006 22:51

Is that nicer, then just telling her to leave immediately? After all, she may be good at the job.

nannynick · 25/09/2006 22:50

One possible way to do it, I think would be to class it as Misconduct:

When she comes to work smelling of smoke, issue a verbal warning - so that she has the opportunity to improve. Make it clear that the non-smoking policy includes not smelling of smoke. May be a good opportunity to write this into the policy if it's not there already.

Next occasion, issue a written warning giving consequences of failure to improve, and an opportunity to appeal.

Next occasion, issue a final written warning.

Next occasion, tell her to leave.

See ACAS - Taking Action

Could be gone by Friday!

Original poster
Katymac · 25/09/2006 22:43

Thanks Nannynick

Apparently I don't even need to say why

That seems a bit unfair

But then polluting my house is a bit unfair too

OP posts:
dmo · 25/09/2006 22:38

gald i got out
still friends with owner of nursery we pass bussiness each way

StrawberryMoon · 25/09/2006 22:37
Shock
nannynick · 25/09/2006 22:37

Just a thought. If they were sacked for smelling of smoke, what could they do about it?
To claim Unfair Dismissal, they have to have worked for you for a period of 1 year.
See DTI - Dismissal

It may be worth contacting ACAS for advice, 08457 47 47 47.

dmo · 25/09/2006 22:36

always happy to help

Original poster
Katymac · 25/09/2006 22:35

Gee thanks......

OP posts:
dmo · 25/09/2006 22:33

i once empoyed a nursery nurse who had 2 children seemed lovely, refs good
got talking after a week or so about our kids and she said hers had been taken off her by social services
i left not long after to be a childminder but the nursery is across the road from were i live and she turned into a nutter, set fire to the nursery by leaving the fish tank heaters on somehow (at night- no children)
not putting you off Katymac but its so peaceful just being me to reley on and nobody else i love being a childminder

StrawberryMoon · 25/09/2006 22:25

just tell her to your/ your business this is a big no no and something must be done.shit..it a tough one this!

dmo · 25/09/2006 22:23

thanks strawberry
rather full myself but ...................
anyway have a word tomorrow and see how it goes for the rest of the week if nothing changes you will have to end her conract
good luck and dont worry

StrawberryMoon · 25/09/2006 22:19

well daaaaarlings i may soon be rather fully booked....!

DMO got your email, will post asa p.although STBM went home in pair of the trews today after accident

Original poster
Katymac · 25/09/2006 22:15

Can you manage the comute?

OP posts:
dmo · 25/09/2006 22:14

strawberry and i will come and work for you were both no smokers

StrawberryMoon · 25/09/2006 22:10

id mention it to her..seriously she may just have overdone t with 'dutch courage' tabs before she got there!
take her to one side before she starts and tell her that the smell of smoke on her being is very strong and as well as creating a bad impression when you advertise as a non smoking home/company, the passive/after smoke may cause probs with asthma?!

dmo · 25/09/2006 22:08

i would quiz her tomorrow and if she is unwilling to change tell her its not working out

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