to think this is a total pisstake and turn the job down?

[WaterGypsy]

Was offered a job as a CM assistant months ago by an aquaintance. Had to do 1st aid course, CRB check etc.

Have just been informed that I can start next week as the paperwork is all back. Apparently I need to register as self employed, and am then expected to do 2 school runs and a nursery run, plus trips out to soft play, parks etc in my own car and 'claim the fuel back'. All for the princely sum of £5 ph. Apparently 1/2 mile each way is too far for the 4year olds to walk to school. It is probably also worth mentioning that I walk almost eveywhere as my old banger is on her last legs and when she goes I won't be able to replace her.

Is this legal? Will my insurance cover me to do this? And most importantly is it even worth it? She also wants me to fork out 40 bleeding quid for 2 printed work shirts!

£5 an hour? That's below nmw isn't it??

I think you might need to make sure that your car is covered for work purposes

No, I think you need special insurance for that. I don't know that for sure. Isn't £5 per hour below minimum wage?

Plus why is she only paying you £5 per hour. The minimum wage is £6.08 for an over 21 year old

You have to have your car insured for business purposes and it'll add quite a bit on to your premium.

Not sure about the NMW to be honest. It is below but then if you are registered as self employed I don't think you'll be covered by the legislation as most self employed people wouldn't have an hourly rate as such.

She says thats all she can afford. I think that is tied in to why she wants me to register as self employed. I don't think min wage applies then? The school runs are up to 7 miles away, so I wouldn't be earning much after I'd paid for my fuel!

Well, the fact you're going to be paid (from what I understand) below minimum wage, no that's not legal if you're an employee. The fact that you'd be expected to register as self-employed gets round that legislation sneakily I think. As long as you're doing it as someone who is self employed, it's all legal.

Also, I doubt your insurance will cover you there. The car insurance will be for personal not professional use.

Whether or not it's worth it...I don't know. It depends on your finances/skills/personal situation and so on. That's probably not very helpful. Sorry! I'd certainly find out a lot more about it before you commit yourself. Being self employed particularly. You have to complete tax returns, keep receipts etc so make sure you know what you're doing.

Not sure I understand, is that £5 per child per hour, or are you being paid £5 per hour?

My CM took the kids out in her car and paid for extra activities etc all in with the price per hour that she charged me. And provided all the meals and toys too.

I don't know the legal side of things but I suspect that you need extra insurance for ferrying other peoples kids around, your car certainly needs to be safe and legal.

I think you would be able to claim tax back on the extra expenses if you are self employed though but I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will be along shortly.

As others have said, £5 per hour is below minimum wage. Your normal car insurance is not valid if you use your car for work, rather than just to get to work.

I would be earning £5ph, and paying for my own fuel out of that! My car is legal, she's just getting on a bit!

Agree you would need more expensive/comprehensive car insurance.
My son's CM has to so all manner of risk assessments for trips out and car journeys - I think she had to have some sort of roadworthiness assessment done on her car too. If yours is a real banger I would be surprised if it was OK - what about car seats too?
1/2 mile is not too far for 4 year olds with no mobility problems - if there are mobility problems, maybe a double buggy/buggy board/scooters? Again my son's CM provides these (for the younger children who go along on school runs not the school age children)...
Requiring you to register as self-employed and only paying £5 an hour sounds off - presumably if you are self-employed she doesn't need to pay you nmw? Plus she avoids having to pay employers NI etc.
Doesn't sound good to me...

As for claiming tax back, it's hard to see how OP will earn enough to pay tax.

Minimum wage doesn't apply to the self-employed folks

As others have said, why the below minimum wage?

Is the trying to get round that by saying you'll have expenses?

And insurance is easily fixed by ringing your insurance company and putting business use on.

Also if she wants you to waer a uniform she has to provide it.

Actually I have my car registered for business purposes and it didn't add anything to my premium. I do think your potential employer is taking the mick though!

CecilyP - I'd only get the tax back though wouldn't I? Not the full amount? And as I would be working soley for her, how can I be self employed?

There are government guidelines for what is considered to be a reasonable distance for children to walk, they are useful to know if you are trying to get a free bus to school. But I think 1/2 mile is fine for a four year old to walk.

Why do they need you to purchase tops?

yes but making someone register as self employed just to avoid paying properly is illegal.

I don't think you can be self-employed if your only work for 1 person though - then you're a contractor (v limited understanding here). Making you go 'self-employed' so she can pay you less than NMW is taking the piss

Massive piss take

well £5ph is the going rate for a CM (per child) in outer London, I am afraid to say!!

did you not do any resarch on this before you started OP??

Oh missed the bit about being self employed. Surely if you are self employed you get to charge what you want, not what someone wants to pay you??

'claim the fuel back' - from whom?

That doesn't sound good at all. I'm self employed, I worked as a note taker for a student for a while which was at the rate of £12 an hour. You need far more then £5, considering you have to pay expenses (national insurance, tax, insurance, petrol, MOT, uniform etc).