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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Bit cheeky?

119 replies

Nannybyday · 04/08/2021 19:36

I'm a nanny currently in between jobs. I will hopefully be starting with a new family in September. In the meantime I thought I'd just do some ad-hoc work. A family contacted me asking if I could help them out a couple of days a week until I start my new job so I met up with them tonight to have a chat.

They put me on the spot and asked if I'd be happy to reduce my hourly rate, £2 an hour difference. My rate is clearly advertised on my profile so they will have seen that when they contacted me. I said I would go away and think about it and get back to them. They then asked me that if I can't reduce my fee, would I be happy to pick up/drop off mum (she doesn't drive) to work on both days.

Again, I said I would go away and think about it and let them know my decision by tomorrow morning. I can't say I've ever experienced that before, especially the travel request (maybe I'm just lucky). All families that I've worked for have made their own way to and from work. Obviously I've been expected to transport the kids around but that's different. In regards to my fee, she explained that she's still training in her new job so she's on a low salary (I do sympathise but I'm trying to earn a living myself). The dad is a doctor.

AIBU?

OP posts:

ChittyChittyBangBangChicken · 04/08/2021 19:54

I think it's cheeky to ask for a price reduction, but agree with the PP who said that if you aren't likely to find another position that suits you, and if this is still good enough pay to make it work, it's entirely up to you whether you take it or not.

It's such a short job that even if you don't love them as employers, you can just count down the days and get through it. On the other hand, if you don't need the money, particularly, or just don't like them because they're cheeky, you're under no obligation to agree. Just tell them that you've considered it, but you're not able to work for less than your usual hourly rate.

godmum56 · 04/08/2021 19:55

cheeky as hell! also they are the sort of folk that will add stuff on to what you expected to do....

SirGawain · 04/08/2021 19:56

My rates are noted on my profile. Rinse and repeat.

clickychicky · 04/08/2021 19:57

@phishy

Tell her that childcare should not be paid out of the mother’s salary!

I wouldn’t agree to the £2 reduction or the chauffeuring.

They will be a bad family to work for.

I bet that's what they've done. Thought mum is on a low salary so can't afford it. Forgetting the childcare allows dad to work too.

JaffaRaf · 04/08/2021 19:57

I think if they don’t want to pay your rate, they don’t think a nanny is worth the money, so they probably won’t be satisfied with whatever work you do as they won’t feel they are getting value. I’d turn down the job personally. They are very cheeky!

custardbear · 04/08/2021 19:58

I'd suspect their CF behaviour would continue - just going to be a bit late - no payment
Can you babysit - reduced rates again
Can you drop off / pick up, use your fuel etc ... I'd tell them you're a business so you can't reduce or quibble in your rates and expenses

pigsDOfly · 04/08/2021 20:02

Goodness, so you either lose £2 an hour or you have to pay for petrol and wear and tear and transport the mother around.

So lose, lose, as far as you're concerned.

Don't know what her still training has to do with what they pay you. Seems like you're expected to somehow subsidise her training.

Your title is misleading, it's not a 'bit cheeky', it's taking the piss.

I'd steer very clear of them. If you agree to this nonsense there will be all sorts of other ways they will try to take advantage.

MuddyStiletto · 04/08/2021 20:03

No chance, their circumstances have no bearing on what you charge
If you decided to charge less you'd be inundate without having to act as a chauffeur, plus the possible added cost to you insurance

Looubylou · 04/08/2021 20:05

I wouldn't work for them, even on normal rates, for fear of ongoing cheeky requests and failure to value you.

AlmostSummer21 · 04/08/2021 20:08

I'd say 'no' to working fir them, they'll be a complete bloody nightmare.

LtDansleg · 04/08/2021 20:08

@Looubylou

I wouldn't work for them, even on normal rates, for fear of ongoing cheeky requests and failure to value you.

This. I’d be mortified putting a childminder on the spot, demanding that they lower their pay by such a huge amount or expecting them to pay for my transport fees. These will not be good people to work for

Jerseygirl12 · 04/08/2021 20:08

I’d reduce hourly rate by 50p and that’s it.

Xmassprout · 04/08/2021 20:11

I would be concerned whether or not they're in a position to pay at all

LotLessBovver · 04/08/2021 20:12

It's a bit like telling a taxi driver that if they won't lower their price they'll have to come in and do half an hour's childcare instead to offset it.

Incredibly cheeky.

SunshineCake · 04/08/2021 20:13

I went to meet a family with a job for three weeks. They asked me to drop by 2.50 an hour, this was late 1990s. I said no, we'll stick with the rate stated. They said okay and that was that. I think better to make the decision there and then.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 04/08/2021 20:13

They would be nightmares and I promise they won’t pay you properly.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 04/08/2021 20:15

They cant afford you. Move on asap!

Brefugee · 04/08/2021 20:16

Just say "my fee was clear, and i came to you in good faith. You should think about what you have done" and flip them the bird

Hopeisallineed · 04/08/2021 20:16

I think chauffeuring should be an added extra, not factored in to your duties. What if you had an accident with her in it? Would you be insured as it’s part of a job?

MauveMagnolia · 04/08/2021 20:20

Net or gross and do they understand the actual costs involved?

alongtimeagoandfaraway · 04/08/2021 20:24

I remember interviewing a nanny almost 30:years ago. She was perfect but her rate was too high for us and she told us, very nicely, that we couldn’t afford her.
We got someone else, who was fabulous, but I always respected the first candidate who had the guts to be honest with us. Her charges went to the same school as my children, as did her own kids at a later date, so we ran into each other from time to time.
Have confidence in your own worth.

Spotsandstars · 04/08/2021 20:25

Ruuuuuun! They will be nightmare clients!

EnjoyingTheSilence · 04/08/2021 20:25

No and no. You know you’re worth, stick to it. I doubt it’ll be the last of the requests that if you go ahead with it

HalzTangz · 04/08/2021 20:27

How far is mums work from the house, this would be the deciding factor for me(especially as the job is only for a few weeks).
If it's 10 minutes up the road I would do it, any longer I'd say no

DeRigueurMortis · 04/08/2021 20:28

If being her chauffeur is part of the job you would need to ensure your insurance covers business usage which typically costs extra - otherwise you'd be driving illegally without appropriate cover.

Frankly I'd walk away unless you need the money or at the very least stand your ground and make clear you won't let them them take the piss.

The fact they are "negotiating" your role before you've even started is a red flag to me that you'll quickly find your job description expanding well beyond what's appropriate.

What they can afford is irrelevant.

You have a specified day rate which they knew before contacting you.

Simply go back and say "I've considered your proposal and I'm neither willing to reduce my rates or fund your travel costs.

If you want to employ me at my standard rate then we can proceed otherwise you will to find someone else to provide your child care."

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