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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

133 replies

WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 15:40

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!

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 14/08/2012 18:53

Unless you're a total doormat, don't take the job!

Sallyingforth · 14/08/2012 18:55

The car insurance is the least of it.
She needs insurance to cover her personal liability for accident or injury to the children. Unless her employer has insurance that covers employees and OP is genuinely employed the OP will have to buy her own insurance.

TheDoctrineOfEnnis · 14/08/2012 19:18

OP, I would turn this job down personally. With a first aid certificate, I would have thought that babysitting jobs would pay more than £5 per hour less expenses and be a lot less hassle.

LordOfThe5Rings · 14/08/2012 19:25

Sounds a bit dody to me.

inabeautifulplace · 14/08/2012 19:26

If she can't afford to pay you the legal minimum, is encouraging you to break the law to get round this and also failed to mention a critical component of the work initially, what kind of employer do you think she will be?

That's a rhetorical question, she'd obviously be awful. Don't walk away, RUN! You sound like a decent person, don't get mixed up with this dishonesty. And don't feel obligated in the slightest to refund the money she spent. Not your problem, perhaps she'll learn to be more honest in the future. I'll have a £9 note on it...

shewhowines · 14/08/2012 19:37

How many children are you allowed to have per childminder or assistant CM?

Say it is 4 for example - She is taking in 4 x £5 by employing you, therefore she is earning an extra £20 and only paying you £5.
It may be more than 4 children......

Tell her to find some other mug.

starfishmummy · 14/08/2012 20:05

If she wants you to be self employed then it would be for you to set your charges. So an hourly rate, that there is a minimum period - so she can't just say she wants you/pays you for half an hour; and a decent mileage rate which covers not just your petrol but extra insurance and extra wear and tear on the car.

Goldrill · 14/08/2012 20:06

Her employers liability insurance will probably cover freelance/self employed staff too - but I would make sure she actually has some in place!

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 20:07

I'm not sure of the ratio. She's often on about her numbers. I think it depends on their ages.

Hadn't even considered that I wouldn't be covered by her insurance tbh. Christ, what a minefield!

OP posts:
Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 20:10

Given that her only staff would be self employed, I doubt she has employers liability, would she not just get public liability instead? Or would she have to have it to comply with Ofsted?

OP posts:
TheDoctrineOfEnnis · 14/08/2012 20:29

Water, do you still want this job? Do you think it will help you get your mortgage? Might be worth talking to an adviser (at a different bank if you like) to understand if this would actually help.

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 20:48

I don't think I do tbh.

8.30 am til 6pm, for £42.50 a day, minus fuel, NI,entry into soft play etc for dd, plus the uniform cost, not really worth doing is it?

As another poster pointed out, I'd be better off babysitting!

OP posts:
gallifrey · 14/08/2012 21:10

Car insurance for business use is not a problem to get at all and isn't that expensive.

EightiesOlympicGolds · 14/08/2012 21:15

Business use for car is not terrible, no. But it's all the other stuff. Haven't read whole thread but she sounds like a potentially terrible person to work for be self employed contractor for. If you can possibly avoid it I would.

altinkum · 14/08/2012 21:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShellyBoobs · 14/08/2012 21:18

Normal business insurance for a car might well not cost much more (if anything) but that definitely doesn't cover carrying other people (children) as part of your job.

That would definitely be extra on top of class 1/2/3 business use.

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 21:21

Altinkum - the taxman, so wouldn't get much back, if anything, as would only earn £95 pw, minus expenses, for two 10 hour days. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 21:22

9.5 hour days actually, but close enough!

OP posts:
Glitterknickaz · 14/08/2012 21:30

I don't think it's legal to register as self employed if that then means you're only going to be contracting to one person. For eg my stepdad was a self employed builder but as he sub contracted constantly to the same company then he had to go 'on the books' and stop being self employed.

It's to stop employers doing as your acquaintance is doing and avoiding NMW, national insurance contributions etc.

expatinscotland · 14/08/2012 21:57

'not really worth doing is it? '

NO. No apologies, either. Just, 'This job doesn't work for me. Best of luck finding someone.'

Much better off babysitting and then you're probably self-employed.

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 23:38

Thanks Expat, will tell her exactly that! :)

OP posts:
Jinsei · 15/08/2012 00:23

If you were self-employed and not the childminder's employee, would that not make you an unregistered childminder rather than a childminder's assistant? Confused And wouldn't that be illegal?

She is taking the piss OP - I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole!

expatinscotland · 15/08/2012 09:26

IIRC, you don't need to be a registered CM to offer babysitting on an ad hoc basis.

Flobbadobs · 15/08/2012 09:53

Sounds exceptionally dodgy. Why don't you look into childminding yourself? Some children's centres run courses I think. Our local council has all the info on their website, might be worth taking a look.

ConferencePear · 15/08/2012 12:04

I wouldn't consider taking this job. Now that you have your CRB check and First Aid Certificate in place, try casting your net wider for a job.