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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not return to this job

24 replies

Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 11:57

I work as a nanny for 2 families. 1 family Monday-Thursday the other family Friday only.

On Tuesday last week I received a text from the Friday family saying that both parents had tested positive for COVID. I then received the track and trace text telling me I must isolate which I have done.

Pay day came and the family who tested positive have not paid for me the Friday that I didn’t work for them. This means they will also not be paying me for the upcoming Friday I won’t be able to work for them. When I arrived to work the last Friday I was able to, the mum told me she wasn’t feeling well but insisted that she would feel better after a nap and she was sure it wasn’t COVID. I didn’t think anything of it and got on with my day. Am I wrong to thing that because she allowed me into the house when she clearly had symptoms which has now caused me to isolate for 14 days she should at least pay me? I suppose it was daft of me to continue my day but I really didn’t think much of it. Really I should have insisted I wasn’t going to work.

We don’t currently have a contract as she dropped my hours and I’ve been waiting for a new contract, so technically I could just not go back.

OP posts:
Ilovecheese53 · 02/11/2020 12:10

What was your understanding? I Have recently taken a childminder on and asked her different types of Covid situations just in case and so we are both clear.

I think you need to set the rules your basically a business and parents will hire you based on if your conditions are suitable for them.

Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 12:12

I used to get sick pay but because we are between contracts I suppose they’ve taken that as we aren’t currently in a contract so don’t need to pay me

OP posts:
AriettyHomily · 02/11/2020 12:15

How much do you need the job? Could you get another one day a week one easily?

EhUp · 02/11/2020 12:16

If they refuse to pay you for the missed days then I can totally understand why you wouldn't feel inclined to continue working for them

Perhaps push for a contract and if they are difficult then stopping working for them

It really depends how much you want/ need the Friday job though obviously as not returning (without alternative employment) wouldn't be sensible if you need 5 days work to pay your bills

Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 12:19

I don’t need the Friday job, they were planning to move away in January so I had planned for it to be ending then and wasn’t going to replace the Friday, but then their sale fell through so it doesn’t have an end date, the extra money is nice and before this happened I really liked them!

OP posts:
User0ne · 02/11/2020 13:23

I'd be tempted to send them a payment reminder. If they don't pay up then I wouldn't go back. I'd be pissed off enough at having to remind them

underneaththeash · 02/11/2020 13:28

That's awful OP. Are they very unwell and maybe have forgotten?
Employment terms and conditions can't be less favourable to a part-time employee so your sick pay should still be paid.

MrsMoastyToasty · 02/11/2020 13:34

Surely they need to pay to retain the booking...

Alternista · 02/11/2020 13:36

Email them and say your payslip appears to be wrong.

IliveonCoffee · 02/11/2020 13:40

Perhaps I'm being stupid... but if you've not signed your new contract you both still should be bound by the conditions of the old one? Unless there was an expiry date or review date that's passed?

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable that me can advise if by default you are still under your existing?

If so, she should pay as per the terms of that contract.

If not, chase for your new contract and review if she is / isn't obligated to pay anything.

Goodwill would say she should pay you something regardless give it's their actions which have put you in this position...

Mindymomo · 02/11/2020 13:45

I’m pretty sure that legally they should pay you for the days you didn’t work. Do they want you back on Fridays, if they do I would ask them to at least pay you some money and definitely get a new contract sorted.

Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 13:49

@underneaththeash yes she is quite unwell which is why I haven’t brought it with up with her yet. I don’t think it’s a case of forgetting as they pay directly to my bank and would know they were paying a day less.

@MrsMoastyToasty yes I would have thought so, although she gleefully told me they weren’t paying the childminder as the child wasn’t attending there and the childminder was closing due to it, so I should have realised then I wasn’t to be paid either!

@IliveonCoffee yes that would make sense. I’ll follow it up with her but i just hate confrontation and it’s especially difficult in a nanny role as it seems so much more personal.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 13:51

@Mindymomo yes they want me back as normal once both of our isolations are over

OP posts:
switswooo · 02/11/2020 13:55

You need to tell them to pay you, it's not your fault you couldn't work. Why aren't you askimg for your money? I know there's no contract but they should pay.

Did the M-T family pay you forbid the 2 weeks you were isolating? They should have paid you too.

billy1966 · 02/11/2020 13:59

They definitely should have paid you.

Very poor not to have done so.

I would completely understand if you drop them.

In fact you could take it by not paying you they are indicating they no longer require your services.

They sound very mean and opportunistic.

Flowers
Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 14:00

@switswooo I haven’t asked yet because she has been really sick so I didn’t want to bring it up until she felt better. The Monday-Thursday family have been very generous and paid me via a mix of annual leave and sick days.

OP posts:
notalwaysalondoner · 02/11/2020 14:06

Employment terms don’t suddenly cease because your hours change - I’m pretty sure legally you’d be covered under the entirety of your old contract, up until a new one is signed by both parties.

More than that, it’s horrible they won’t pay you for two days work when they know they are responsible for you losing two weeks work.

Don’t be a pushover, my sister is a nanny and it’s important to learn to have professional work conversations- I think it can feel more like confrontation as nannies don’t normally have the opportunity to observe others in an office or work setting to realise it is no big deal to talk about pay, hours, sick pay etc and demand what you are due in a professional way - it isn’t confrontational, it’s professional.

2bazookas · 02/11/2020 14:08

Send them a Get Well card with an invoice inside. If they don't pay up, don't go back.

fairynick · 02/11/2020 14:10

If I take time off to isolate for whatever reason it is classed as sick leave for which I am unpaid. I have never had sickpay for any job I’ve been at. Especially if you don’t have a proper contract imo YABU OP.

Original poster
Fabpinky · 02/11/2020 14:11

@notalwaysalondoner yeah you are completely right. It almost feels like arguing with a friend over money because of how personal the relationship gets, but they’ve just shown me that it is a work relationship!

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 02/11/2020 14:21

@2bazookas

Send them a Get Well card with an invoice inside. If they don't pay up, don't go back.
Oh for the love of God don't do this, it's so passive aggressive and unprofessional!
billy1966 · 02/11/2020 14:49

It most definitely IS a work relationship OP.

The minute you weren't required the stop your pay.

They are not your friends.

They are quite happy for you to take a financial hit for their circumstances.

ZombiePara · 02/11/2020 15:17

As a PP said, I would be under the impression that as you haven't signed a new contract you are both still bound by the old one.

Im not well versed in employment specifics like contracts though, but my point was made due to experience through family and close friends..

Thisismylife1 · 02/11/2020 15:36

You can’t work either as you’re self isolating (albeit probably due to them) so entitled to statutory sick pay (If an employee) unless your contract says you get full pay. Are you employed by them or are you self employed?

Question whether they morally should pay you full pay...

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