Following on from worst au pair job in the world AIBU

[Sleepyhoglet]

I think I may just have found another. Come on Mumsnetters. Lets send some emails to this ridiculous advert. £25 a week pocket money to do childcare for a 4 year old. £25!

www.gumtree.com/p/jobs/au-pair-4-months-summer-job-by-sea-woolacombe-to-look-after-4y-old-boy-help/1022523111

[BatmanLovesAllan]

There is something about that Jersey lady that really rubs me up the wrong way.

[bbcessex]

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that it's very unwise to post some like:

"This is my child, his name is William. He leaves at school at 8.00am. everyday - sometimes his little brother is with him"..

I just feel that posting that much detail, along with a very clear photo of young children in their school uniforms is asking for trouble.. Although I accept that its unlikely they will be targeted, when posting for childcare myself I've been very very careful not to give any 'recognisable' details...

[LilacPeony]

I interpreted the Jersey English lesson thing as "You had better be fluent in English already as if you think we are funding you to learn English then think again."

[HoneyStepMummy]

Actually I'm more concerned about the young people advertising to be an au pair ( Please don't link any of their ads on here). Most of them are very nice looking, obviousley a bit naive, speak terrible English and are a bit desperate. Not only am I concerned that cheapos looking for almost free childcare will exploit them, but they are putting themselves at risk for sex trafficing.
I know a girl who runs an licensed au pair agency. Since the parents are paying the agency and have to abide by their guidelines they very seldom have problems with either the parents or au pairs.

[InViennaWeWerePoetry]

The SAHMs wanting au pairs to work 35+ hours a week looking after their children really bug me. Why bother having children if you're just going to leave a badly paid au pair to play with them, take them places, put them to bed etc AND on weekends?

[Mintyy]

The Jersey one works out at £3 per hour. I don't know if its just me, but I consider that to be just a leetel bit cheap from a couple who live in Jersey and have a pool.

[Mintyy]

"Do people think au pair is just another name for cheap nanny/ slave?"

Yes, I think they do.

I honestly believe that some people think they can advertise for an au pair when what they actually want is a nanny and cleaner or gardener. I think they think they are being terribly clever to sidestep the expense of employing a qualified nanny, when what they are actually doing is exploiting people and only getting away with it because there isn't proper regulation of this sort of work.

I have many friends who employ au pairs. They work part time hours of less than 25 hours a week and get other benefits from living in London - usually learning English and having some fun away from home. As it should be.

[expatinscotland]

That gumtree is allowing these ads is shameful.

[InViennaWeWerePoetry]

The host family is meant to pay for language school aren't they?

[Mintyy]

That is certainly how it used to be Vienna.

Aupair worked mornings or afternoons and spent the other half of the day at language classes.

I see that's all changed on Jersey and thereabouts.

[IgnatiusSprat]

Are you experienced with luxury clothing? Used to looking after luxury clothing? Do you wish to work for a family dripping with luxury clothing? This is for you!

[IgnatiusSprat]

Oh God you've got me addicted to Gum Tree now, I can tell this is going to replace Trip Adviser in my obsessive internetting....

Is this legal? £80 p/w? Seems crazy!

[IgnatiusSprat]

Bit creepy this one...

I cannot imagine anyone having the gall to offer this sort of crap money then saying 'You have your own toilet.' Some of these ads... Jeeze. There's one on there asking people to work 60+ hours a week for £250 p/w. Er, no thanks!

[IgnatiusSprat]

"Pocket money" of £80 p/w!!!!

Sorry, I'll shut up now I had no idea that people were allowed to do stuff like this. It's shite

[Yamyoid]

The Jersey dad looks like a character from The League of Gentlemen.

[Yamyoid]

Ignatius, that one is creepy.
How many times they mention appearance and nothing about the children. Or maybe the dogs are the children!
And terrible grammar

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've just emailed the Jersey fuckers and called them some choice names.

Cunts.

[Yamyoid]

Hahaha laurie!
Some awful people in the world just out to take advantage of others less fortunate

[foreverondiet]

A good rule of thumb about the "wages" is that the accommodation food and having no bills is worth about £100 - £150 a week.

So say £120 + £80 "wages" = £200. Say £7 - £7.50 is reasonable for someone not very experienced.... so around 25-28 hours a week would be reasonable.

A live in job for 50 hours a week on that basis would be (£7 x 50) - 125 so around £225 cash.

The £80 for 50 hour looking after 2 year old is £4 an hour and hence unreasonable.

[Wereonourway]

laurie "jersey fuckers"

I've just pissed my pants at that, I missed the ad, it had disappeared when I clicked link.

Also agree luxury clothing family will be nuts.

I have been a live in nanny and always loved the family I worked for, knew I was lucky etc but boy I realise it now after reading these beauts!

[Whippetwarmer]

I can still see the Jersey fuckers link when I click on it.

[humdumaggapang]

Those sorts.of wages were average really when I was an au pair at 18. I always felt it unjust but I wanted to be in America and away from my parents so I put up with it. Annoys me now.

Why does Jersey bitch need 2 au pairs? That's just greedy. Lazy cow.