Nanny asked if I would pay cash in hand!?!

[PDR]

Am currently interviewing Nannies to start after Christmas.

One Nanny asked me at the interview if I would be paying cash or putting it through the books. I said I was going to put it through the books but what would she prefer?
She said cash and went on to say it would be cheaper for me . She then asked the hourly rate and I said the same as if I put it through the books!

I am not sure what incentive she would have to want to be paid cash in hand as she would only be working for 16 hours a week and therefore barely earn enough to pay tax anyway! So she'd be doing herself out of all her legal rights as an employee, SSP, NI contributions etc. She said she would not be looking for a second job so AFAIK this would be her only job.

I said I would speak to my husband as I was a bit shocked that she would ask this TBH!

She didn't indicate to me that she wouldn't take the job if it wasn't cash in hand.

Is it me or is this really odd?

Avoid her if she wants cih

You the employer will be the one who gets accused of tax evasion and face the possibilty of a fine/ prison sentence

I interviewed someone once who said she preferred CIH so she can continue to receive her housing benefits (and maybe jobseeker allowance too?). It was a short interview.

Oh right I get it now so basically she wants to claim benefits and work too. And it's my neck on the line. Great ! Shame as she was very qualified.

Don't hire her. That sort of thing is a red flag for me.

Yes I was wondering too if she was perhaps on benefits. Obviously check before making assumptions but that does sound like the most likely reason to me.