New nanny's a smoker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mosschops30 - I do remember when ds1 was born (1993) reading evidence that a smoker breathing on a new baby is harmful - the levels of toxins in the breath were said to be sufficient to be detrimental to a very young child. Don't know if that's been discredited since, though.

It's not that is is harmful when on clothes. But the fact that is smeels and IME that smell lingers in my house/car and on me too. Hence I would not employ a smoker for this purpose.

I work with a couple of smokers and you can definitely tell.

custardo - not from 1st July - it's the law.

In her defense, I can manage to get up, go to work, come home and not have a fag until Ive had a cup of tea, so with some willpower she might do it.

I think youre all being a bit harsh, like being a smoker is on a parr with something terrible. Passive smoking is dangerous but getting smoke on your clothes from someone else clothes is not passive smoking. And anyway it doesnt transfer like that unless the clothes are hung up together, or she smokes in the car and your kids sit in there.

I would tell her that she must not smoke in the car she uses to take your children in or at anytime whilst they are in her care (alseep or not), what she does in her own time is up to her.

not really hard shit as she can get rid of her in the two week probation for any good reason such as she feels that the nanny doesnt bond with her kids!

agh! thanks fortyplus....

as i say dont smoke anyway and would never let any person smoke in my car or house!

I wouldn't be happy and wouldn't employ a smoking childcarer or nanny. The smeelll of smoke lingers on clothes and hair. Not pleasant. you can always tell if you've had a smoker in your house or car, even if they aren't smoking whilst with you.

Reallly this should have come up in the interview. You need to build it in to your interviews and put no smokers only on your ads.

'Do you smoke?' would have been in my first 5 questions.

as long as the car is her car - its hard shit.

even if she doesnt smoke when they are around your not around so you cant be sure also wont them smell get into your little ones clothes etc no sorry I would get someone new tell her sorry you dont think it will work out

NannyL If your contract includes driving the children around in your car then your car becomes part of your workplace during your working hours. You can smoke in it outside of those hours.

Hi!

could you write it into her contract, something simple like Nanny shounld not drink any alcohol or smoke during nannying duties?

I think this is perfectly reasonable.

Im a non-smoker, and withoiut wanting to offend anyone, I cant stand the smell of cigs, escapcially on clothes.

I think eight might be right about the new smoking law if its your car, but not sure if its her own?

Business Class 1 Car insurance.

Is what a nanny needs to have if driving employers children around.

If nanny is on Employers insurance it is best to check as some allow nanny as a named driver others list as employee and the rate goes sky high!!

Exactly Kerry, which is why she needs a course of action outlined in the contract.

I also think it would be wise to have a two month, not two week, probationary period.

I don't think you can realistically expect to tell her what she can or can't do in her own car on her own time. You can, however, say my kids are not to get in this car. But, then, as you say that whole plan will fall over as she won't be able to ferry kids to/from school. But, are you comfortable with your kids riding in this car? Don't forget to check that she has the right insurance fro driving your kids around (business use or something).

should have said the house where i am working not my house where i am working!

yes.... luckily neither they are I smoke!

Ok, so they can smoke in their own house and there own car...

I can smoke in my own house (but i dont and nor do i let anyone else) so are you saying i cant smoke in my own car?

I accept i cant smoke in my house where i work or in my bosses cars if i were to drive them!

NannyL - your bosses can smoke in their home even though you work there, but you as an employee couldn't smoke in their house. Bizarre, isn't it?

Surely you wont have to worry after July 1st. After all it may be your home, but it's her workplace.

forty plus.... are you sure..... cause my workplace is the house where i work and my bosses CAN smoke in it if they want to!

Though if the car stinks of smoke because she smokes in it away from work you can't do anything about it. Smelling of smoke is not an offence!

If she's ferrying the kids as part of her contract then her car is a workplace and she can't smoke in it. Trust me - I work for my local council!

Hmmm....there's a fair amount of time 'til september...if it was not something you knew about when you offered her the job then I would tell her hat you have changed your mind....smoke lingers about the person...check the legality of letting her go first though...it might be the impetus she needs to give up ?

i dont smoke and i HATE smoke btw.

I suggest you provide a car for her to use while on duty and have it in her contract that she never ever smokes during work hours... and if you want to be brave have it as a reason for instant dismissal.

Smoking kills and passive smoking kills .... there is no way i would allow anyone smelling of smoke to look after my own kids either.... end of.

A lesson for all mums to ask at interview if their nanny smokes!

In the same way that you as an employer can smoke in the house that is our (a nannies) workplace.... im sure a nanny can smoke in her own car

In one of my contracts i had that i was never ever allowed to take my charges into any atmosphere with smoke.... ie if a cafe was smokey i wasnt even allowed to tkae the chidlren in... didnt bother me as i hate smoke!

You should also put that smoking on the job is grounds for immediate dismissal. God knows how you'd ever prove it.