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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask my CM to reduce her fees?

111 replies

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 16:48

I've known my CM for 5 years, she's been having DD on and off for that time.

She's great, I trust her completely, she will go out of her way for me and DD is happy there.
Last year she had DD from school till 5.30 three days a week.

I have a different job now, where I only need her in holidays and for overtime, but she only does wraparound and holiday care anyway, as she works in a Crèche termtime.

Now, here is the issue.

I have to work this Sunday, from 7.30am, until I finish, probably around 4. (I'm a cleaner). CM charges time and a half for Saturdays, double time on a Sunday so it'll be £8 an hour.
I've agreed to work this as a favour to my boss.

I do NOT think my CM is being unreasonable to charge this, but I really can't afford to work a weekend day again, after this as I'll be out of pocket as I get paid £5.83 an hour.

Would it be U to approach her and ask if she'd consider charging the weekday rate?

That way, I earn a bit more, get to help out at work when they need weekend cover and she makes a bit, rather than me never working a weekend and no one earns extra?

OP posts:

CarGirl · 26/11/2009 16:52

all you can do is ask but at the end of the day she may really prefer her weekends off rather than working!

shopalot · 26/11/2009 16:52

Why don;t you explain to your boss the problem. It does seem a little unfair to ask the CM. You should get paid more to cover it.

Ivykaty44 · 26/11/2009 16:54

I've agreed to work this as a favour to my boss.** so you will have to explain to your boss to either cough up double time or the favour is going to cost you and tell him how much

hanaboo · 26/11/2009 16:59

i agree your boss should cough up more but you should have asked your boss this before you agreed really

if i was the childminder i would be annoyed to even be asked tbh, she's giving up her sunday for you and you knew the cost beforehand

shopalot · 26/11/2009 16:59

Can't you take your dd with you. My Nan used to clean offices at the weekend and we used to go along too. Even if your childminder charges you the usual amount you aren't breaking even are you? Is it worth it anyway?

Original poster

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:01

Yes Cargirl, that's what I'm wondering?
She's always enjoyed having DD though, by her own admission and after 5 years, with our kids in the same class I do think I'd have picked up on any problems.
Her DH is away (I live on a navy estate) and she mainly is at home at the weekend.

shopalot, I work for a big company, my boss can't do anything about my pay.
She has been so good to me since I started 3 months ago which is why I've agreed to work.

OP posts:

IvanaDK · 26/11/2009 17:01

The pay you get for cleaning on a Sunday is ridiculous, I shudder to think of what you get on a weekday.

If you are doing this as a favour to your boss, then why do you even get paid?

It is not your CMs problem that she charges more than you do.

Seriously, with an attitude like this, it's no wonder women are paid less than men.

GibbonInARibbon · 26/11/2009 17:02

Not really fair to put CM on spot. I would explain to boss that you will be out of pocket and did not realise when you agreed to work. No one would expect someone to work on a Sunday and pay for the privilege.

hanaboo · 26/11/2009 17:04

can you not take her with you? i do cleaning and my dd comes with me sometimes she's 4.. i take snacks and colouring pens and books, she enjoys coming so much that she asks to come most times

Original poster

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:05

To clarify , I am a cleaner in a Care Home. It's owned and run by Southern Cross.
The boss I speak of is the Housekeeper, there's a Deputy Manager and Manager above her, but Southern Cross set the wages.

OP posts:

LittleSilver · 26/11/2009 17:07

Yes, agree with Ivana. Really not your CM's problem and think £8/hr very reasonable for her giving up her Sunday.

Original poster

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:11

My thinking was that CM will benefit too, as I will take on weekend shifts?

As CM is never full, and only gets paid term time for her other job she may appreciate extra money?

OP posts:

EldonAve · 26/11/2009 17:16

you need to tell your boss that you need more money for Sunday work or you can't do it

they are only paying you 3p above minimum wage as it is

AMumInScotland · 26/11/2009 17:18

I think if the CM didn't mind working weekends, then she wouldn't set her rates differently for weekends. She has set it higher to reflect the fact that she'd rather not do it, but will do if it's worth her while, because she needs the money more than she needs her time off.

I think you just have to accept that you'll be paying out more this time, and explain to your boss that because of childcare costs you just can't afford to do weekend shifts.

MistergodthisisSal · 26/11/2009 17:20

If you do this now, your boss might think you're happy to do the same in future. If however she allows you to take dd with you, that's not that much of an issue.

I agree with most people on here - it would be unfair to expect CM to take weekly rates. I'm sure she loves your dd, but at the same time, the increased weekend fees are to compensate for the loss of a break.

Original poster

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:20

My boss can't do it.
I am doing it as a favour to her and fully accepted having to pay more an hour to CM, than I will earn.

My point is, should I explain this to CM and ask if she'd consider dropping her fees the odd weekend for me in future?

I'm not keen to work weekends anyway, as I'm a lone parent, but this will come up a few times a year no doubt.

OP posts:

Original poster

muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:23

I can't take DD. It's just not possible.

OK, I get that IABU.

It seems a shame that neither of us will earn extra but I posted on here for an answer.

I'm not going to be one of those who won't accept it!

OP posts:

MistergodthisisSal · 26/11/2009 17:25

I wouldn't, but obviously up to you, as you know her in real life.

MistergodthisisSal · 26/11/2009 17:26

Sorry, cross-post.

MaryBS · 26/11/2009 17:27

I think work should pay, not the CM.

MaryBS · 26/11/2009 17:28

Should have qualified it with this - when work wanted me to do temporary extra hours which meant I was paying more money for childcare than I was earning, they paid for the childcare as taxable expenses.

MadameDefarge · 26/11/2009 17:29

If you are doing this a favour to your boss, then she needs to pay out of her own pocket, not you.

EldonAve · 26/11/2009 17:29

even if you only paid the CM her usual rate of £4 and you work 8 hours

you would only gain £1.83 an hour minus any tax and NI

MelonCauli · 26/11/2009 17:31

I don't think that you are being unreasonable at all. You can ask her, but obviously she has the right to say no.

In this recession most people are aware that many of us have had our pay go down. Why are CMs immune to this?

RollCorpseIntoHedge · 26/11/2009 17:32

Even if your CM agreed to charge normal rates for a Sunday so £4ph you would only be making £1.83 an hour for what I assume is hard work.

Is it worth it?

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