Tips when employing a nanny

[Pufflemum]

I would like to share a few tips for anyone new to employing a nanny. This is following two recent very bad experiences that I hope everyone else can avoid.

1. Ensure you have a signed contract and employ an agency to manage payment, but don't expect your nanny to honour terms, particularly notice periods.

1. Always remember the nanny is your employee, not a friend or family member. Write down all the hours they work and take off, particularly holidays and sick days.

1. Document anything you agree that may affect your contract and make sure both parties sign. Document any conversations you have had that may have an impact on your arrangements. Assume that the nanny is doing the same.

1. Try and avoid communicating with the nanny by email as these can be used against you at any time in ways you never imagine.

1. Finally, as lovely as your nanny may seem, you are just a job and pay packet to her.

Apologies for sounding negative and scary, I am sure there are many genuine nannies out there, just be careful as forgetting any of the above can be very stressful and expensive for innocent parents :-(

Thanks Pufflemum

I couldn't agree more! =-D

A. x

I would probably go so far as to have a time sheet that both you and nanny check and sign each week/ month...

It's really for protection of both parties...

Disagree with point 4 as email is very good as a way of recording changes to say working times on a particular day or other one-off change. Email is stored so can be referred back to easily in future, unlike a verbal conversation.
It avoids No.3 as email is documenting the discussion/agreement.

No1 will depend on the individual nanny, notice periods in contracts are there for a reason so should be honoured by both parties.

It is a business relationship at the end of the day with parents running the business and the nanny working for the business. Don't confuse duty of care with friendship, employers take an interest in their employees wellbeing but they aren't friends in the same way as if there was no business relationship.

Boy, that's a disgruntled list if ever I read one! If you are at the point where you not trust or even like your nanny, it's time to say goodbye.