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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

It's not working out with the AP

80 replies

ClaraZ · 16/12/2009 13:54

Our au pair has been with us for four weeks and it's just not working. She has sole charge of a four-year-old for three days a week while I am at work. I don't feel she has bonded with him at all. She seems to resent doing any housework and does it badly. I don't think she can cook, although she tells me she can. She hardly communicates with us at all. I am going to give her two weeks' notice, but I'm not proposing to pay her for those two weeks because I won't ask her to do any work. Has anyone else had to sack their au pair? I'm really not looking forward to it, but I think it has to be done.

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Original poster
ClaraZ · 16/12/2009 14:04

There is no contract as such. She's not performing her duties adequately. I am giving her notice so she's not being made suddenly homeless. Her room is part of her pay, so is getting paid for two weeks but not getting pocket money. Well, that was my thinking, but I'm interested in other views as I'm not really sure how to handle this, which is why I posted.

OP posts:
AtheneNoctua · 16/12/2009 14:03

Does this au pair know that you are dissatisfied with the level care and her standard of cooking? As her employer, I feel you have a duty to try to work through this and make a reasonable effort to provide a bit off on the job training. For example, if she is struggling to cook, show her how. If she refuses to learn, then you can discipline her.

Regarding housework, does her contract say she does housework? Has she signed it?

Lifeinagoldfishbowl · 16/12/2009 13:59

I think you should pay her for the 2 weeks regardless of whether she works or not

AtheneNoctua · 16/12/2009 13:59

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Clara, assuming you are in the UK and your "aupair" is actually your employee, you can not just sack her on the spot without going through some kind of disciplinary procedure (i.e. verbal warning, written warning, dismissal) unless she has done something which would constitute gross negligence like given your toddler G&Ts for lunch and then sent him out to dance naked in the street.

Heqet · 16/12/2009 13:58

can you really not pay her for those 2 weeks?