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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Going on holiday, what to do with au pair?

12 replies

marigio · 22/05/2014 00:02

We have saved hard for a week's holiday in the Maldives and we are not planning to take the AP because the flight costs £800 pp and most importantly, we have hit max occupancy for one room (2 adults 2 children) and would have to spend a few grand more for the second room if we were to take her. Money aside, we do want some private family time with the kids and don't really need any help for the week.

I have not told her yet as not sure if it would hurt her feelings that we are going on a "family holiday" without her.

Has anyone had any problem with this or is it a pretty common situation? What would the usual expectation be from the AP?

I will of course pay her for the week but I wonder if I could use this as part of her 4 weeks annual holiday entitlement? Is this too harsh given that she doesn't get to go with us already....?

OP posts:

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EldonAve · 22/05/2014 00:22

You need to pay her
You can try to see if anyone else you know wants her services for the week

justmuddlingalong · 22/05/2014 00:29

When are you going? She needs some notice if it's to be part of her AL. She might want to make her own plans.

Original poster

marigio · 22/05/2014 10:20

Not until end of July so there is enough notice for her to make own plans I guess.

Yes I am going to pay her as after all it was our choice, not hers. I just wonder if I should make it count as one of her four weeks paid holidays as I can choose 2 weeks as per the contract.

Also wondering what the usual expectations are regarding family holidays. Would they expect to be taken and get very upset if we don't take her?!

OP posts:

eeyore12 · 22/05/2014 10:58

I would just say you are going away and so don't need her that week so it is one of your two weeks of paid holiday choice.

Karoleann · 22/05/2014 13:46

I wouldn't dream of taking our au pair with us to the Maldives!

We've three holidays coming up Cornwall (she's not coming), center parcs (she is coming as I need her to help), Caribbean over half term (def not coming as its costing a fortune).

Itsfab · 22/05/2014 13:50

It should definitely not come out of one of her 2 weeks choices as it isn't her choice. Pay her, she has the week off and still gets to choose 2 weeks later. If she works for someone else - her choice completely, she should be paid by whoever uses her.

Headofthehousehold · 25/05/2014 02:08

We rarely take our AP's on holiday and I can't imagine she would be hurt. You definitely must pay her. Personally I dove tail all my annual holidays to theirs and lay it out in the contract so mine have 5 weeks off plus BH but no choice on dates.

I usually give them a choice of stay in our house and I then stock up with food etc, go home, go on holiday with their mates themselves which if in Uk I will help organise, have a friend to stay here. It really depends.

Crowen85 · 25/05/2014 08:01

If you don't take her on holiday then no you cannot then make her take her precious holiday time! You choose to go and leave her behind.

Charlotteamanda1 · 25/05/2014 09:14

Don't feel guilty about leaving her. But you can't force her to take annual leave !!!!! It's your choice not to need her.

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/05/2014 09:22

Charlotte is incorrect if it is listed in her contract that you can dictate two weeks of her holiday then with plenty of notice (at least twice the length of the holiday) you can tell her that this is one of her weeks holiday. You pay her as normal and she gets her other benefits so staying in the house, food and car etc.
The above sounds very cold, but it is the employment law bit. With my au pairs I sit them down explain it to them, give them money for food so they can choose they're own food while I am away (normally I shop and cook). I set any rules, in my house friends are allowed over, overnight guests need to be pre approved except in emergencies and no parties.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/05/2014 18:04

you are going away so it is your choice of holiday, so she still gets to chose 2 weeks of her choice when she wants to go, but yes it counts as 1 of 4 weeks off paid

yes you need to pay her

no aps wont be offended if you dont take her she will prob enjoy the break

i assume you are happy for her to stay in your/her home while you are away, if nothing else added security/ie house not empty sure i read one post a while back with a mum on here saying she didnt want ap in her home while she was away :(

SiLovell · 01/06/2014 14:43

What we do is state in our conditions of the job that we choose two weeks and the au pair chooses two weeks - that way she doesnt expect to come on holiday with us and its fine in a situation like this - i would suggest doing that from the start though. Just talk to her, she would probably be glad of the time alone :)

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