My cousins daughter (M) has found a position in London and I think her employer is taking unfair advantage of her. She was offered a weekend job (Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon) looking after 2 young children, one 15 months.
In the first interview she found out that she would earn 400£ per month - about 90£ per week. That would have been ok as au-pair, where she would have also received accommodation and food, but is in my opinion too low for the time and type of work she has been asked to do. In addition to the Saturday 6:30 to Sunday 3pm the family "offered" her to arrive Friday evenings (6pm) and stay for the two nights, to safe the time to travel home. However, as it turns out, they asked her sleep in the children's bedroom and look after the kids at night. The parents also went out both evenings, effectively leaving her in sole charge until late at night. Even if I'd only count the two evenings with 5h each (they were longer) - as a babysitter she would have already earned more!
(M) however likes the family a lot and is really pleased she has found a job - particularly as she enjoys the work and has been promised more hour, recommendations to friends and a potential pay increase "later".
I'm really worried as I think she is taken advantage off - or am I being paranoid and should just see how it goes?
(M) is very sweet and goodhearted, but not from the UK and not familiar with local pay rates etc. She has 4 years experience as pre-school teacher, including disabled children, speaks excellent English plus an additional language which her employers requires (they bring children up bilingually), has a CRB check and studies child psychology, but has only 1 reference and not worked as a nanny before.
Please let me know what you think!