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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be shocked at random drug-testing your kids nanny?

14 replies

Lauren850 · 16/02/2022 23:15

My daughter works as a nanny for a family who are 'kindly' considering giving her a written contract (and paying tax/NI) after 6 months employment. Today they announced a random urine drug test, to be undertaken before she left work - as a 'normal' preliminary to signing the contract. I am shocked by this, it feels abnormal, intrusive and borderline abusive to be forced to wee in a cup after giving the kids their bath. My daughter has never been late for work, gone in with a hangover or acted flakey in any way whatsoever - except for catching covid and Norovirus off the children! Obviously she has a clean DBS. Views please!

OP posts:

Returnoftheowl · 16/02/2022 23:21

The fact they are only giving her a contract 6 months in is a big red flag to me.
Conditions of employment and a contract should have been set out to start with, including drug testing if they planned on requiring it.

YetAnotherChanger · 16/02/2022 23:22

From Gov.U.K.

Employers have to have consent if they want to test for drugs. Usually this is when they have a full contractual health and safety policy, which should be in the contract or staff handbook.

Are they only considering paying tax/NI after the 6 months?

FirstTimeSecondTime · 16/02/2022 23:22

Why haven’t they given her a contract yet?

Is it even legal for them to drug test your dd?

LaBellina · 16/02/2022 23:25

No, that’s intrusive.
If they had any concerns about this they should have voiced this to her and get her consent to do a drug test instead of demanding out of the blue that she does a pee and just hands it over to them .
I wouldn’t want to work for people who think it’s ok to treat me like that

hibbledibble · 16/02/2022 23:26

I wonder if they are planning on doing a pregnancy test before issuing a contract, as they don't want to pay maternity pay.

Either way, she should refuse, and find new employers.

Beachsidesunset · 16/02/2022 23:27

@hibbledibble

I wonder if they are planning on doing a pregnancy test before issuing a contract, as they don't want to pay maternity pay.

Either way, she should refuse, and find new employers.

This

YetAnotherChanger · 16/02/2022 23:27

Also, how can they declare what would be a pass or a fail without a drug policy in a contract?
I assume there’s no concerns that’s your DD is on something whilst in charge of the children and they are testing for anything which could be happening in her own time.

OpheliaThrupps · 16/02/2022 23:28

Red flag - she should not work for them.

sadpapercourtesan · 16/02/2022 23:28

Yeah, they want to make sure she isn't up the duff before they sign a contract with her.

EastEndQueen · 16/02/2022 23:31

Completely wrong and if I were here I would be looking for a new family. I have employed two wonderful nannies for my DC over the last 5 years and I can tell you this is not in any way normal or acceptable.

I would advise your daughter to hold out for a written contract and legal above board payment next time - good nannies are extremely hard to find and there is no need whatsoever to put up with CFs like this family. Has she approached nanny agencies for consideration?

EastEndQueen · 16/02/2022 23:32

*her

Need to sleep more

willstarttomorrow · 16/02/2022 23:37

I work in child protection, I am forever having to explain to other agencies that we have no legal authority to drug test even when there is overwhelming evidence of drug use. The only time we can seek a test without consent is when in proceedings and ordered by the court. I have previously worked in addiction services, and even then it requires consent and is not routine for various reasons, mostly because treatment and support is based on motivation to change unless engagement is part of a court ordered community sentence.

Original poster

Lauren850 · 16/02/2022 23:41

Wow thanks everyone I feel relieved readi g your responses - was wondering if I'm out of touch or something. Am so upset by these people, they've treated her badly in other ways too - plus no contract up to now and no tax/NI paid. Problem is she adores the kids and is really bad with change- she on the autistic spectrum and very vulnerable. I'm so upset just watching all this and would like to go round and shout at them right now. Sadly a couple of other families she worked for were even worse. She got fired from a job last year for failing to cut a 2 year old's finger nails without being prompted

OP posts:

Hairyfriend · 16/02/2022 23:47

Ridiculous! Does it specify WHAT drugs they are testing and how, also how often??? I worked in a facility doing drug testing on patients. We could purchase tests, similar to a pregnancy test, so any number of drugs. Generally they tested for 5 drugs, 10, 12 etc. This rings alarms that there is currently no contract and just being added in now.

Did they have a previous nanny with a drug issue? Did they explain WHY they want this done. I assume she isn't employed via an agency to get advice from? I'd seek advice from ACAS and leave.

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