Very silly and naive but what to do now

[nannymm]

Hi everyone

I started a morning nanny role over a year ago for a single mother with two children.

Initially it was for the occasional morning and she would pay cash but I was then asked if I could do most mornings and she could get her husband to help out at other times.

As this become regular I registered as self employed as did not want to be doing anything illegal (I did not as for more money as mother was a single parent and struggling) and my choice to take on the role.

I guess I began to think of her as a friend and still kept the relationship pretty casual - I was producing invoices but did not ask her to sign a contract.

I was offered another role before the holidays which meant I could no longer work all the hours she needed and she got someone else to cover. I felt it would be best to find someone new permanently and did tell her that would probably be better for her.

I finished at the beginning of July with the expectation of being asked to return in Sept. This did not happen and I have called and e-mailed her which she has ignored.

I am owed money for 1 month and do not know what to do about getting it and am feeling quite upset at being treated in this way as I did consider us to have a friendly relationship and do not understand why she would not just tell me she didn't need me to come back (I do think this was for the best for consistency as it would have been hard for her to find someone for the weeks I couldn't work) and if she was having trouble with paying me I would have understood as I have before but do still rely on the additional income although small and would have appreciated some warning.

I know I have been horribly naive and actually feel quite hurt by the lack of contact after being with them for so long but is there anything I can do now or should I just put this down to experience.

Sorry very long

As you are self-employed, one of the risks you take in doing that is that you may be owed money by a customer.

Presumably you have invoiced for this money and it is money due for work done?
How much is it? Would it be worth taking it through MoneyClaim?

Not sure why you would assume you would be asked to return in September, as you had no formal agreement. Sounds like it was more an ad-hoc arrangement which you hoped would continue but for whatever reason as not done so.

Consider if the money owed is worth trying to obtain via a court. It may be, or you may want to write it off.

Hi nannynick

Thank you for your reply

Yes I suppose it was an ad-hoc arrangement as she would ask me to work and I was free to decline or if she didn't need me I didn't charge for the hours however I was usually needed and available for at least 6 - 10 hours a week usually in the mornings but I would work other hours as well(before I found my other role which was afternoons)

I see your point about assuming I would return (not returning was not a problem as I felt it would be better for her to have someone who was more available)

I guess as I had worked pretty regularly for over a year (some hours for almost every week)I did expect to just be told they wouldn't need me and to have said goodbye.

It just feels like a very abrupt end and I did not chase the money at the time as I assumed it would be paid.

Yes and the money owed is £378

Try sending a recorded delivery letter to her setting out the amount owed and giving a date that payment needs to be made by. Say that if payment is not made by the date, then you will consider taking legal action. You may also like to give the opportunity to let her pay in instalments over a period of time. Keep a copy of the letter - and evidence of delivery.

Court will want you to have tried to make an effort to contact her and offer her a solution to making payment. See Pre-Action Conduct

May be enough to get some payment from her.

Then it's a case of considering if it's worth taking legal action over the payment. Only you will know if it's worth the hassle, it may take some time, time spent form filling, some expense (such as court fees) and result in sleepless nights worrying about it. Is it worth the amount you are claiming... only you will know that.