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Original poster

Would you be comfortable keeping nanny on who is on antidepressants?

34 replies

watchthisspace · 23/10/2009 12:56

current nanny has had an unusual amount of things happening in her life recently and have taken many days off as a result.. breaking up with her boyfriend, sick relatives, death of a close friend etc. The GP offered it to her before and she turned her down but now she says she will ask her prescription.

Has anyone experienced anything like this?

OP posts:
frakula · 23/10/2009 13:03

I think you need to try and talk to her, but without intruding. It's one of those awkward employer-but-something-more moments. Is it the idea of ADs you're opposed to or do you have existing concerns about her performance?

alwayslookingforanswers · 23/10/2009 13:02

would you be happy if your boss got rid of you because you were on anti-depressants?

PumpkinsCantDanceTheTango · 23/10/2009 13:02

Any nanny could be on antidepressants and not tell their employer anyway. She sounds responsible that shes recognised she needs some help and seeing her GP and not burrying her head in the sand, thats a great step.

Original poster
watchthisspace · 23/10/2009 13:02

I don't know about the legalities but wanted to see if other mums have had this experience or what they would do..

OP posts:
Original poster
watchthisspace · 23/10/2009 13:00

I don't want to intrude into her personal discussions with doctors or ask how severe her depression is etc. but my concern is of course for my DCs. Will she be distracted, can she do her job. She is hard pressed for money so I know she wants to stay but if she is not capable I wouldn't know as I'm not home to observe. At the end of the day although I feel for her my responsiblity is firstly to my kids.

OP posts:
Tambajam · 23/10/2009 13:00

I would rather have a nanny who has recognised she has had some trouble coping, has looked for support and has perhaps ended up takings antidepressants than one who has had some trouble coping, has not looked for support and has not ended up on antidepressants.

UndeadLentil · 23/10/2009 12:59

Wouldn't it be illegal to consider letting her go on grounds of her mental health?

Perhaps you could sit down with her and chat about how things are going and how she feels she is coping at work so that you can plan a way forward together.

PumpkinsCantDanceTheTango · 23/10/2009 12:59

Surely if she is feeling low its better for her to be on antidepressants than suffering from depression and not getting help.

What matters is her performance with the children. As long as she is still doing her job well there is no problem - if she isn't then maybe she needs to take some time off to recover - same as if it was a physical illness.

FABIsInTraining · 23/10/2009 12:57

Why have you got concerns?