I've worked at my current position for nearly two years. One charge, 9 year old girl. Dogs that I walk/look after.
Never had an appraisal/pay review in that time even though I believe I earn below market rate (live out and in central London) I sometimes do proxy parenting and staying over as MB is a single parent and goes away on business quite regularly. Some weekend work too at same hourly rate as mon-fri.
I was very much a Nanny initially but over the past year or so it has lapsed into more of a housekeeping territory, with expected tasks creeping in that were not in my initial job description but I've just sort of accepted as girl is becoming a little more independent (I say a little, as she needs constant badgering to shower/brush hair/ teeth, do homework etc etc)
Last week the girl and the mum went skiing. The day before was half term Monday so has my charge all day. We went for long dog walk, finished a project she had to do for school, baked a cake, went shopping, then she had time on the iPad while I ironed all her clothes and put them out ready to pack, as instructed. Packed her toiletries. Cleaned her shoes, washed and dried her hair, cooked dinner from scratch for her and her mum. Kitchen tidy and clean, dishwasher on. Mum had text earlier in the day to say I needed to find and pack a certain pair of trousers. Did not find them- haven't seen them for months- I am sure she left then when she has a sleepover party.
Mum gets back at 7:30- I'd been there for 12 hours at this point. First thing she asks about is the trousers. She was annoyed I hadn't found them. Said I needed to be better organised. We went together to my charge's spare room school uniform wardrobe as she said it was in a state. (It was- I'd been looking for the trousers but as it was half term planned a big tidy of it while they were away)
It's difficult as I constantly pick up after my charge- she will literally chuck her clothes off where she stands and leave them there, hair bobbles all over the place, constant mess and rubbish on the sofa when she gets in from school. Maybe it's par for the course but she is nearly 10. I feel like I'm forever picking up after her.
Anyway my boss seemed really frosty with me and as I was dog sitting while they were away sent me a list of jobs to complete- washing all the towels, sewing buttons, tidying the pantry, cleaning the fridge, things like that. Tone was that I was lazy and needed to do more!
I've always done my charge's washing and ironing, keep her room tidy, no issue with that.
Sure enough when they got back my charge was full of 'mum wanted to fire you before we went away! She was so mad because she says you don't do much!' (Didn't say in front of mum)
Is this unprofessional?! Could she actually just fire me? What would she be able to say the reason was? Would I have any rights? Notice period on contract is one month. She seems okay with me at the moment. Has not said anything directly. But feels like a big black cloud.
I do want to leave and have had a couple of interviews since Christmas but the last one that was promising wanted to fiddle the tax and do under the table payments and I'm not prepared to do that.
Sorry it was so long. Wanted to vent and seek any advice if possible!