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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that if nursery closes for the state funeral I shouldn't have to pay for it?

60 replies

Katlow · 12/09/2022 19:07

So government have declared a bank holiday but said it's not a requirement for staff to be allowed the day off. My work have decided no day off for us. Yes it's shite but whatever.
I don't begrudge the nursery workers a day off but I've just had a notification saying that they'll be open half a day but we'll be charged the full day. So this means I'm going to have to take the day as authorised absence unpaid as it won't be allowed me swanning in at half 1 when I finish at 4 and I have no annual leave left. I'd be ok-ish with paying for the half a day that they're actually open but to spring this on a weeks notice is a bit crap.
I'm not sure whether I'm being annoying or unreasonable I just think why should I pay 53 quid when I'm losing out on a full day's work.

OP posts:
Downbythebayy · 12/09/2022 20:04

That’s awful. I don’t begrudge the staff a paid day off but I am shocked that they would make them take it from their holiday

I’ve worked in 2 nurseries since leaving uni and we’ve always been paid for bank holidays, not taken from our holiday entitlement 🤷🏼‍♀️

MiddleParking · 12/09/2022 20:08

I think the owner of our nursery would happily assassinate a monarch if it saved him a day’s pay for his staff. I actually like the nursery, but the management absolutely take the piss sometimes. So do the owners of all my friends’ nurseries.

Yohohaha · 12/09/2022 20:08

@Senmum2013 I don't think it'd be safe to look after a 2 year old on no sleep. I can't sleep the day before my night so I'd have been awake nearly 24 hours when I get home

Olsi109 · 12/09/2022 20:14

Yeah it's in my T&C's that they still charge for such things as they still have to pay the staff. Not ideal but it's what I signed. Sounds like it's the norm.

Senmum2013 · 12/09/2022 20:14

@Yohohaha i hear that, my youngest is older so they can entertain themselves whilst I have a little nap when I get in.

mycatisannoying · 12/09/2022 20:16

YANBU.

Emmacb82 · 12/09/2022 20:17

@Yohohaha thats what I do every single week 🤣 work a night, don’t sleep before it, don’t sleep after it and look after a two year old! I’m sure you could do it as a one off, much easier than losing 2 shifts.

It does seem very unfair to charge you for a whole day when they are shut for half of it. I’m sure there will be a whole load of other parents that won’t be happy about it! Not sure there’s a lot you can do about it though unfortunately.

Yohohaha · 12/09/2022 20:24

@Emmacb82 😂 as appealing as that sounds, I'd rather owe the hours back and book in alternative shifts!

SatinHeart · 12/09/2022 20:34

Our nursery is arguing that the reason they are closing is that they can't staff it due to schools being closed and the nursery staff not having childcare. So therefore it's 'circumstances beyond their control' which in the T&C's means we have to pay.

Olsi109 · 12/09/2022 20:40

I've actually just received an email from our nursery (doesn't affect me as A. I teach and B. Not on a Monday anyway) but in the email it says they have received a reminder from dept of Ed of the need to provide childcare to those who may still require as it's a paying service therefore they are remaining open and will watch the service with the children of sorts. Might be helpful to some it affects.

Bunnyfuller · 12/09/2022 20:46

I would say it’s your employer BU unless you are in some vital role (such as NHS/Police etc). She was on the throne for 70 years, royalist or not, there’s going to be massive disruption and most people will be off watching it. This is a huge historic event, of course things won’t be normal.

sounds like your nursery are trying for the best of both worlds - making customers pay for a full day, whilst only paying staff for half a day. Gotta love capitalism! 🙈🙈🙈😣

RockAndRollerskate · 12/09/2022 20:58

I’m really shocked at the nurseries still charging while being closed. Do you get a day in lieu for that?

I pay if I take my children out on holiday or sick for example but We don’t pay for bank holidays. We’ve been told we will get a refund for Monday.

A580Hojas · 12/09/2022 21:04

SatinHeart · 12/09/2022 20:34

Our nursery is arguing that the reason they are closing is that they can't staff it due to schools being closed and the nursery staff not having childcare. So therefore it's 'circumstances beyond their control' which in the T&C's means we have to pay.

Good point. I'm sure this is the case in many nurseries. I'm not fussed if I get a day off on the 19th or not but the logistics of this are a nightmare for businesses.

JustKeepLookingWithYourEyes · 12/09/2022 21:21

My nursery have informed us that they will be closing for the whole day because it’s in our T&C’s that they close on bank holidays 🙄 it sucks but there’s nothing I can do about it, and thankfully my work have said I have the day off too. I guess everything child related will be closed on that day so I’ll have to come up with some fun home-based activities for me and my 2 toddlers!

JustKeepLookingWithYourEyes · 12/09/2022 21:22

Oh and we will of course be charged the full fee!

sunlight81 · 12/09/2022 21:28

How are they expected to pay the wages of the staff for the bank holiday if everyone doesn't pay for the bank holiday.

I assume people realise that if they "didn't pay for a bank holiday" the owners would have to increase the price of your daily rate to accommodate the days when they have to pay the staff but don't have any little ones because it is a bank holiday.

All schools are off. As an education establishment, I would expect private nurseries to follow suit.

FFSandmoreFFS · 12/09/2022 21:36

Yanbu.

we got notified today that they’re closed but will credit us the days fee to next months invoice.

Original poster
Katlow · 12/09/2022 21:40

sunlight81 · 12/09/2022 21:28

How are they expected to pay the wages of the staff for the bank holiday if everyone doesn't pay for the bank holiday.

I assume people realise that if they "didn't pay for a bank holiday" the owners would have to increase the price of your daily rate to accommodate the days when they have to pay the staff but don't have any little ones because it is a bank holiday.

All schools are off. As an education establishment, I would expect private nurseries to follow suit.

I would expect them to be open. It's a paid service so I expect to receive the service I pay for.
Would you expect to be paid for a job that you didn't do?

OP posts:
Doyoumind · 12/09/2022 21:40

As this is an extra bank holiday the normal rules don't apply. They should be providing childcare for those unable to make other arrangements at short notice.

Downbythebayy · 12/09/2022 21:42

As this is an extra bank holiday, the normal rules don’t apply

Says who?

WingingIt101 · 12/09/2022 21:44

Ours have sent a text tonight saying they can't afford to close (our contracts say we don't pay for bank hols) but also feel it is wrong to open. So the long and short of it is they just don't know what to do.

Which is really helpful when you're trying to work out what alternative childcare you might or might not need.

In my opinion it is totally up to them - I understand if they want to close but if they do, under our contracts we don't pay. If they open then they are there to provide the usual level of care to my child.

I'd be saying in your shoes OP that you're happy to pay a half day rate for a half day provision!

upandmummin · 12/09/2022 21:48

Yep, our nursery has closed for the whole day but at full pay. I've spent all day scrambling trying to rearrange clinics (work in NHS).

It's a shambles for a lot of people. The working class paying the price as usual. And it annoys me that it didn't even fall 10 days later but they instead decided to extend that just to pick a weekday.

Perfect28 · 12/09/2022 21:50

Having the same conversation now. I fail to see why I should pay for a day not used in this circumstance. The government simply don't give a shit about working families.

Sanch1 · 12/09/2022 22:46

We've been told we'll get a refund for Monday. Which is great for us, but I do think a bit unfair as it's not a bank holiday they will have planned for 🤷‍♀️

Jumanji89 · 13/09/2022 00:19

I agree OP YANBU.

I scrambled to find our contract yesterday and it stated that we won't be billed for bank holidays or Christmas closure. I remember they did a new contract during COVID to state we would pay if nursery couldn't open if it closed due to events outwith their control but is clear that bank holidays aren't charges. We've fortunately received an email this evening to say that we will be credited the day next month.