Having an issue with my nanny - anyone have any ideas/input?

Get rid now. Once she has been with you for a year it is much harder to get rid. Less than a year and you don't have to go through all the palaver UNLESS and this could be the sticking point if the ectopic thing is true, she could possible claim sex discrimination.

However you have to make sure that the notice period does not take you over the 12 months time scale.

Have a look on Nannyjob.co.uk too.xx

i dont know where you are but simply childcare is a brill place to advertise as well as look for work...and not as expensive they cover the whole of the area within the m25 ..any good for you?

Its nannies like this that give good nannies a bad name

she has to go!

I wouldnt dream of bringing my charges to my house to get on with my hosuework (for a start they arnt insured when in my house)

the most important crtieria for a nanny (IMO) is that you can trust them... if you cant then thre relaly isnt much point carrying on

• she isnt doing her duties, therfor get rid of her!

Oh God, get rid of her.

Now.

Your children are to precious!

It's a looong time since I took my law finals but afaik they can't claim for, amongst other things, constructive dismissal. We were worried about this with our old nanny. She told us a whole pack of lies about what she was doing with my dses and when I challenged her she resigned on the spot. I was worried about her getting arsey (which she was very very good at) and deciding to go for constructive dismissal but she couldn't because she hadn't been with us long enough.

Personally, I'd give lisalisa's nanny 6 weeks money in lieu of notice and get rid of her asap.

My first thought is that a close friend of mine had an operation for an ectopic and she was off work for 6 weeks (same as a c section).

We had a nanny with very similar outlook. She entertained the children as long as she had at least 2 of the older ones, but the baby would get driven to her house and back (in my car so I was paying for the diesel)
We also had problems with the lack of organisation, shopping lists etc. In the end we could do redundancy and stop having nanny which I guess is not an option in your case.
I would look at your contract and see what you need to go through to dismiss her.

She's been with lisalisa for less than a year so a whole load of the employment protection stuff doesn't apply.

Makes it far easier to get rid of her.

I'd have a conversation and give her a written warning. Then, next week if there has not been a dramatic change (i.e. full compliance with all of her job duties) I give her notice on Friday. If I could chalk it up to immediate dismissal, I would.

no no no you're not allowed to feel guilty! You can't afford to feel bad, you need to use your energy in a constructive way right now. She does not understand what this or possibly any job, actually means, and it was not your responsibility to teach her that. 6 weeks is a bit long IMO, make the next one 4?

You might have to look for some kind of temp nanny agency now, as she may just leave in a huff at any time once given notice. I can't advise you on that, I cut back on my work in the end myself in extremis (I sacked one by day 3, as very bad feeling, paid her for week and took key before she got her breath, got a lot of threats and harrassment later asking for more money, but she went away in the end) but a temp agency was the next thing on the list I planned to try...

Uwila I agree, if they aren't doing the job specified I would think you should be able to dismiss, but probably you have to do the verbal then written warning stuff...

lisa, your contract should have provision for immediate dismissal on the grounds of gross misconduct... otherwise you can initiate the disciplinary process... or you can just give her notice...

I can understand you concern re:slacking more/taking it out on the kids. You may want to mention the reference you'll be providing should the nanny get a bit arsey after you give her notice. She may then become perfecto nanny. [oh-the-irony emoticon]

Lisa,
Is there anything in the contract that allows for immediae dismissal? Like, say refusal to carry out your job (i.e. insubordinance)?

Majorstress,
Eh? The BBC is looking for me????? Think I better put my head down and get back to work...

HI Lisalisa
How are you doing these days, apart from crap nanny? I had to swear off mumsnet to get over my traumas about kids nannies work etc.

I was considering some sort of nanny-type arrangement again myself, but this one has reminded me why I don't want to try anymore! You need someone better obviously-I get the impression that there are more around at present but whether they are any good is the problem. [cross perplexed emoticon]

(Uwila, the BBC is looking for you if you don't already know. see MEDIA section about bad childcare choices.)

If you no longer trust her you must get rid of her for your own peace of mind. You want and need to know where your children are. I would be fumming if anyone disapeared with mine for 5 hours without phone contact.

Oh, Lisa, I'm so sorry. You seem to have your share of difficulties. I'm afraid I agree with the status quo here -- now there's a first.

I think Jura makes good points about the aspect of managing a nanny. You have to follow up and guide them into the job you want them to do, and that sometimes involves uncomfortable conversations. But, this nanny I feel has gone soo far that the relationship is beyond repair.

If my nanny was not contactable for 5 hours, I would not be happy. If she lied to me, I would pull her up on it. If I didn't/couldn't trust her anymore with my precious child who is not yet old enough to tell me about his/her day, I'd proceed to dismiss her.

Something to think about for the next one is perhaps a nanny diary. And perhaps put a list of chores up in the kitchen or maybe stick it in her welcome pack (if you do one).

PS How's the new job?

I too was also a nanny for 15 years, it sounds like she is fitting your child into her life and doing things for herself.

I worked late till 7 most nights and to some degree had to do bits for myself too, but she sounds like she is taking the p.

GET RID!!!