I think my nanny smokes

[Gangle]

Just employed a new nanny. She has worked about 2 weeks and seems great. Only thing is that I got a definite waft of smoke when she turned up this morning. Not sure if she herself smokes or if she'd just been out somewhere smoky. She's via an agency and trying to recall if it said she's a non smoker but it's a given that she cannot smoke during the day (it also says so in her contract). My only concerns are her handling the baby after having smoked but she always washes her hands when she comes in so this probably isn't an issue and also whether she would try to sneak in fag breaks during the day. I don't really think she would do the latter but not sure how addicted she is. She would probably find it very insulting if I said, just checking but you know you can't smoke around near the children and are not entitled to cigarette breaks?? I suspect my 2 year old may tell me anyway. What should I do, if anything?

I don't smoke (and am currently an esol teacher but returning to nannying) but surely as long as they don't smoke while on duty why is it a problem. Why is it any business what they do, within reason, whilst off duty. There is no other form of work which would be so controlling over every aspect of a persons life. A nurse, doctor, teacher would not have these restrictions placed on them.

I get if they turn up smelling of smoke a parent may have a problem with it, however, thats an easy nip in the bud problem. Sniff and make a comment like oh, does your boyfriend smoke type comment. Job done.

harriet even if she was, it wouldn't mean anything. Ofsted say you cannot smoke while working with the children it doesn't mention what she/he can do off duty.

Also thinking about it, perhaps the night before she was with friends who smoke. The smell just doesn't go away and makes you hair stink. Perhaps she just didn't realise and wash her hair.

just had a look on the acas website and it does suggest that you mustn't say directly what you suspect

If she is smoking in her own time, I can't see why you would object. You wouldn't want her drinking, surfing the internet, or having sex, either, but she may do it in her own time

'If the cv does not say either way, then I would assume they do smoke, as if they didn't smoke, wouldn't the cv say non-smoker on it?'

My CV doesn't say either way and I don't smoke, never have. Shouldn't assume nannynick...

Wouldn't be offended if boss asked me if I smoked, but bit offended maybe if told I smell of smoke when arriving for work in the morning....

If someone smokes socially would that mean that you woul not take her on? Whats the problem?

I would have a problem with a nanny I hired smoking in her own time because a smoker usually carries the smoky smell with them, not something I'd want my ds to be around with his carer. As the employer that would be my choice. :) totally different from drinking...etc in spare time. That doesn't bring lingering toxic fumes into my home.

Does Your Boss Owns You 24 Hours A Day? - worth a read.

Smoking Ban in the Workplace - cites some cases.

There isn't an easy answer to things. I have not yet located a tribunal case covering a domestic employee smoking in their own time.

cinpin: If someone smokes socially would that mean that you woul not take her on?

If it were me... Yes, I would not take them on. Be that legal or not.

Plenty of people won't take me on, because I'm male. I can't prove that... but I feel it is definitely a factor as agencies have told me how hard they find it to place me (In recent years, mothers seem quite keen, it's their husbands who aren't). Sex discrimination is illegal - yet it still happens.

StarExpat - someone who drinks excessively in their own time could result in problems with being employed, such as a nanny who loses their driving licence due to drink driving. If they turn up to work drunk, then it's a problem. So while I agree it is different, it is also the same. A social smoker turns up to work smelling of smoke. A social drinker turns up to work drunk after a heavy night out!

my cv says non smoker as think its better to state this

so maybe you should add it onto yours excusemoi

I agree. If a nanny does not smoke at all, then stating non-smoker on the CV will help get a job.

Oh yes I agree with that, NN. I was comparing a quick drink (or anything else) socially or on own time to a few cigarettes per day in own time. Cigarettes bring toxicity with them on smoker unless smoker is vigilant about cleaning, changing and washing clothes after, never in house...etc.

I have a friend who only smokes when she goes out which is every friday night. Iam a non smoker and I have never smelt cigs on her. I have a cv and never mentioned I am a non smoker, maybe I should blondes.

Nannynick some people I have met say they would prefer a male nanny. But I think you have gone off from the original post.

Mmm, not saying I wouldn't employ her if she was a social smoker but definitely would have thought twice as a) I'd be worried about her sneaking in fag breaks during the day and b) I don't want someone with smoky hands and breath around my children. DH thinks he smelt it on her again - I didn't but if I do I will definitely ask. I may also check with the agency. We have asked her to get Ofsted registered so she will have to sign the declaration saying she is a non-smoker. Also, not sure how relevant this is but she is also Muslim - she doesn't wear a headscarf but doesn't eat pork. I am wondering if this would mean she is less likely to smoke?

The problem, as I see it, is that second hand smoke on clothing of a person regularly coming into contact with a baby is a risk to a baby who will be handled by a Nanny, and the breath of smokers contains increased chemicals such as carbon monoxide, long beyond when the fag is stubbed out and these also pose some level of risk to a baby, especially a young one. I would not want a baby or toddler of mine (i.e. child that needs picking up regularly) cared for by anyone who smokes at all. However, I have no idea if that's legal or not! Fortunately I've not been in that position. If I know someone is a smoker, even casually, I wouldn't deliberately let them handle a baby of mine. Not just being pfb either, as I'm cooking DC4 .

You're right that teachers etc can and do smoke. My DCs have been cared for by teaching assistants and holiday club staff who smoke off-premesis during breaks. I can't say I'm mad keen on that either, but with 3 year olds upwards the staff won't be in such close contact and risks are small as children become more robust.

declutterbug - where do you get that info? Is that really true - that there is enough CO in a nanny's breath to harm a baby? I just cannot see it myself.

I would employ a smoking nanny - as long as she smoked outside and never in front of the children. Having smoked myself I would be a hypocrite if I didn't.

I mean, where do you draw the line? Breathalysing nannies as they turn up for work in case they had a heavy night?

I don't see why it is offensive to ask her. Of course you can ask her.

Maybe her partner or flatmate smokes. Maybe someone who smokes gave her a lift.
Maybe something stressful happened-you are not close yet to know her problems. I'm not a smoker but i smoked today when i read the bad news here.

Or maybe she is a smoker and she lied.

You just have to ask her and to have a frank talk.

When handling babies it's not just the obvious risks of secondhand smoke etc - it's that smell is incredibly important to babies and they often come to associate 'love' with 'smell of smoke' - it makes it a lot likelier that they will become smokers themselves. That's why it matters less if teachers smoke (as long as they're not in sight of the children) - the associations between love/nurturing and the smell of smoke aren't going to be set up.

If I suspected at all that a nanny or someone looking after babies smoked, I would definitely ask them - it's not rude to ask.

I have a big thing about childcare workers smoking and even if its in a break and they change their top the risks of passive smoking remain for 20mins after that person has had a cigarette!!

I chose a childminder who didnt smoke and family doesnt and she doesnt have smokers in the house.

Nursery doesnt currently have any smokers although they cant only employ non-smokers they were the only one who actually listened to the above when I told them and said if they did employ anyone who smoked in the future this would def be taken into consideration.

This is 6mths old

Gangle - what did you do? Did/does your nanny smoke?

I think it's not any of the parents business out if work hours being honest, as long as they aren't having a fag just before walking in!

I've smoked on and ofF for eight years now, I would say I'm a non smoker but do, maybe once a week at most but usually only once a month or more, have a cigarette when at the pub with a drink. When I lived in a few years back I started smoking again a couple of months before leaving, my employers wouldn't have known if I hadn't told them! It's almost too easy to hide it.

blondes - it's a year and a half old!

Declutter - why revive old threads?

I didn't look at the date - wouldn't have posted otherwise. Declutter did you have a special reason for reviving this?

I'm so sorry, I have no idea why this came up in my active convos . Either a glitch, or just my incompetence. No intention to revive an old thread, please ignore.

yeah I didnt check dates either sorry

i cant add up

been a hard day with bubbas in my defence