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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
RumourOfAHurricane · 26/11/2009 17:37

This reply has been deleted

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BreadAndJam · 26/11/2009 17:41

I would say to her -

"I'm only getting paid £5 an hour on weekends so I'm actually making a loss after paying for childcare, don't think I'll be able to work weekends anymore, it's a shame because I could really do with the money"

If she wants to help you out by reducing her fees, she will then offer.

Sassybeast · 26/11/2009 17:44

YABU to consider asking your CM to reduce her fees - your boss should be paying YOU extra for weekend working.

scottishmummy · 26/11/2009 17:45

so you work weekend at enhanced rate,but want her to work week end normal rates? that is unreasonable

issue isnt what cm charges it is that your weekend rate isnt adequately covering childcare cost. you need to let your boss know week end working isnt financially viable for you. so dont do favours that leave you out of pocket

Original poster
muggglewump · 26/11/2009 17:47

My boss is not aware what it is costing me, no, but I like her, she's great to work for and she goes out of her way for me and the other staff.
That's why I agreed to it.

I know that even paying my CM £4 would not earn me much, it is still more than nothing.

If you work in a minimum wage job, particularly one that has you cleaning 18 toilets in a day used by incontinent folk, you could do with the cash.

Anyway, as I've said, my boss can't pay, I work for Southern Cross, I didn't say no, as I wanted to do her a favour, my CM charges £8 an hour.

I just wondered if I was being U to approach her with this.

I am, so I won't!

Please do think of me at 7.30am on Sunday when I'm knackered and have my arm down a shitty loo
And I won't even get to see Jedward on Saturday evening.
gimme some sympathy

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 26/11/2009 17:48

apologies!maybe you don't get enhanced weekend arte.but this isnt CM issue.she is within rights to charge weekend rates

it is a shame your weekend rate is so low, can you ask boss about an enhancement?

LisaD1 · 26/11/2009 17:48

I'm a CM and wouldn't be offended to be asked to lower the rate, however, my reply would be a very firm no! I set my weekend rates high for one very simple reason... I don't want to work at the weekend. Maybe your CM feels the same?

Original poster
muggglewump · 26/11/2009 18:04

I work in a 7 day day a week job.
I accepted that when I took it, and accepted the pay-£5.83 an hour, except for bank holidays.

I am paid by a Big Company, not by my direct boss, who I am referring to, and is the Housekeeper.
There is nothing she can do about my pay, and I totally accept what I am being paid, and my CM fees this Sunday.
I willingly agreed as a favour to my boss who is becoming a friend.

I would do it again, if I could afford it.

I can't, so was considering approaching my CM, about a reduction of fees for a few days a year.

I will still use her whenever I need.
She has DD booked in for the Christmas holidays, for example and had her at 7.20am today, as I had to work.

I have no problem with her saying no, I was asking if it was unreasonable to ask under the circumstances?

It is.

I will not ask.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 26/11/2009 18:10

are you on a flat rate eg same week &weekend?

if your boss is a pal she will understand this. no point being out of packet doing a favour

greedygreedyguzzler · 26/11/2009 18:15

OH DEAR!!!! i have obviously spent too long on the trying to concieve threads!............i read CM as cervical mucus!!! didnt make any sense!

CarGirl · 26/11/2009 18:17

If you use your CM every week you should qualify for childcare element of CTC? Perhaps it would be worth paying an overall higher hourly rate for you CM with the understanding that she will do say 6 weekend days per year at the same rate. That way you will get it back in CTC childcare element and she is receiving her extra money for it IYSWIM

Original poster
muggglewump · 26/11/2009 18:19

Yes, the same rate.

My boss would understand, I know that, but I agreed as a favour.

I get on with the other girls I work with too and if I can't work, one of them has to, and one has no transport on a Sunday, the other is a lone parent, the same as I am.

I work for myself to make money, don't we all?, but I am part of a team and it's hard to be a team player (Gah, I hate that phrase), if you have to say no to every weekend.

I'm honestly not annoyed with my CM's fees, it just doesn't make sense for me to work and pay them.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 26/11/2009 18:24

are you eligible for ctc and accor vouchers

pigletmania · 26/11/2009 18:26

I am sorry for your situation but YABU, weekends and evenings are classed as anti social hours so command higher rates, if it leaves you out of pocket you should tell your boss this and not expect your childminder to lower her rates for you. It is hard enough to find a CM who works weekends and evenings, this is a priviledge thus a higher fee. Dont you have any friends or relatives that could help you out for the odd weekend day you work.

Original poster
muggglewump · 26/11/2009 19:24

I do get CTC, and I get the Child Care element.
The problem with it is, that you can only claim for your normal working hours.
Of course I have, so I get 80% of School holidays paid for as that's the only childcare I need in my normal hours.

It doesn't cover any overtime or weekends, and according to the guy I spoke to yesterday, you can't claim it back.
I have tried.

Piglet, I'm not expecting anything, I'm asking if it's OK to approach my CM and ask.
I don't want to put her in a awkward position, so I asked here first.

OP posts:
TheProvincialLady · 26/11/2009 19:31

There is liking your boss and wanting to be helpful, and then there is paying for the privelege of washing shitty loos for an entire day. Come on, no reasonable person would ask that of someone. You HAVE to talk to your boss.

bibbitybobbityhat · 26/11/2009 19:33

Muggle - its great that you like your boss and get on with the other girls at work. But, please, don't go agreeing to any more favours like this that leave you out of pocket! I think I can understand why you agreed to it (reluctance to say "no") but it is a crazy situation that you aren't prepared to say no to your boss because you OBVIOUSLY are not going to work if it leaves you out of pocket, but yet you are prepared to ask your cm to reduce her charges to accommodate your company's refusal to pay you double rates on a Sunday. It really is all mad and yabu - but at least you now know it!

traceybath · 26/11/2009 19:40

Agree with others.

Talk to your boss - I suspect she'd be mortified that you will be considerably out of pocket.

scottishmummy · 26/11/2009 19:48

maybe there is a slight conflict of interest,she is your friend and boss. she needs her rota covered that's why she asks "favours"

but no way i'd be out of pocket doing a job

have a look at what other similar jobs pay, do they offer weekend enhanced rate
what does local nhs trust offer
build a case if other employers pay more

RumourOfAHurricane · 26/11/2009 20:00

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CarGirl · 26/11/2009 20:05

that's what I mean about CTC childcare element you need to pay your cm higher rates each week so that she will do these at "normal" rate or something.

Original poster
muggglewump · 26/11/2009 20:20

Yes Shineon, I know that, and therein lies the problem.
I have claimed for my normal working hours.
You can't claim for your estimated 'might have to work' hours.
If I claim for, say, 7 Sundays a year and then don't work them, I'll be overpaid.

To make sure your TC are absolutely correct, you have to work exactly the hours you said, and never, ever deviate.

Not many jobs work like that, including mine.
I've had a couple of days off sick, and worked overtime.

I hate this. I asked GB about it when he was on, but he didn't answer.

OP posts:
groundhogs · 26/11/2009 21:00

Muggle: you are paying your boss for the privilege of going to work for her on a weekend!

You are not doing her a favour, you are shooting yourself in the foot.

PLEASE! Don't ever agree to such nonsense again.

Go and explain to your boss that working for her, doing her a favour will literally cost you real money. At least she - out of her own pocket if need be - needs to cover your CM fees!

Can you please think about going out and getting your own cleaning jobs for goodness sake, put up cards in newsagents, you'd be earning more than £8/hour that's for sure! Go to an agency and see if there are contract jobs you could do, it can't be any worse than the amount you are getting at the moment!

groundhogs · 26/11/2009 21:10

"I willingly agreed as a favour to my boss who is becoming a friend."

Sorry, but you have known her 3m and she's asking you to do a favour that even without factoring in tranport costs... You are not just doing her favours, you are saving her behind, AT A LOSS!

This is madness, it is U to ask a CM to reduce 'her' rates for providing her services on a sunday.

Will you cut your rates in half on a sunday, cos your new boss/friend asks you to?

With friends like that, you'll be bankrupt in no time!

I really don't think you thought this through at all, it's just bonkers and literally doesn't add up.

groundhogs · 26/11/2009 21:11

I'm not beating you up btw, I'm just really cross to see you being exploited in such a manner, and you seemingly going along with it.