Nanny share advice

[Janoschi]

Hello

We have a truly brilliant part time nanny caring for our 15mo DD for two afternoons a week. We pay her £6.50 per hour plus tax, so it's approx £8 per hour.

We are working away for 6 weeks now and I'm not sure of how things are handled. I'm assuming she's still paid the full amount? She's kindly agreed to put her 8 days holiday in the 6 weeks. Just don't know what to do.

Also, would there be any benefit in us trying to organise a nanny share? Would it lower the costs?

Just a bit confused and would welcome some advice.

Thank you!

You should really have a contract in place detailing these things (for example can you insist she takes holiday when it suits you) but I think the general rule is if she is available for work then should be paid. If she's taking eight days off you're only going to have to pay her for two weeks/ four afternoons over and above holiday pay.

You could try for a Nanny share but you'd still have to pay your share of the Nanny's wage and do you really want to permanently change things on your return?

Thank you so much.

I didn't insist she took those holiday dates. I asked if she might take a few to help us out and she was very kind and agreed. We do have a very flexible arrangement though so if she wanted another day off here or there, we'd work around that.

Is holiday pay the same as the usual pay though? I've assumed it is. I'm a freelancer and have no proper idea of employment rights. Just want to do the Right Thing!

The nanny share I was thinking of setting up as a long term solution. Just wondering if it'd actually save us much though. Very short of pennies at the moment so I'm trying to think of workable options!

She is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year, so 11.2 days which cannot be rounded down and must be paid at the full (gross) rate. This can include bank holidays.

Unless the contract specifically says otherwise, you must pay her at the full rate whether you need her or not.

I don't think a nanny share is practical with you needing so few hours each week.

That's really helpful, thank you!

I was given 8 days as the right amount because she only works 10 hours a week but I seem to have the wrong info then.

This really isn't my forte, is it?

It only went up to 5.6 weeks in 2009; unfortunately many people have not caught up!