What can I do? Can I pass on the costs?

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

My nanny/ housekeeper has just let me know she's ruined the work surface in my (rented) flat. By text:

"I've found some marks on the kitchen surface and it seems to be from where I've put a hot pan down for a second and its burnt the top layer"

My first reaction is:

Not again :(

She's a very nice person and has done work on and off for me for years, she's almost part of the family in that way.

But, she's also caused a huge amount of damage over the years, as she's very careless and a rather chaotic worker who gets half way through a job then never quite finishes it and is very surprised when it's pointed out.

However it's always been my belongings and I've either replaced or just let it go if I cannot afford it. This time it's the land lords and there will be a major bill which I can't pay.

FYI, I'm disabled which is why I need household help as well, and the job has always been nannying plus cooking, tidying etc.

So here's my question. Would it be unreasonable to charge for her some proportion of the damage?

I've never thought about asking her to pay for what she's broken or damaged before, as I guess the buck stops with me. But I have made it clear that such a large amount of damages is not acceptable... And she's seen me dismiss another person for treating my home and my belongings (& me) with utter disregard. Yet I've always paid for anything she breaks, so I guess I've been giving mixed messages.

I've even sat down and explained to her that getting into a chaotic flap/ trying to rush around doing things quickly is when she's making mistakes, and when the damage and breakages happen. I've explained the whole 'more haste less speed' thing a few times, and I've even gone through some specific tasks and showed her how to do them in a way that is focused and doesn't risk damaging things.

I'm really torn as I don't want to lose her though she only works sporadically with me, I like her and have known her for years, and my son adores her.
BUT this latest damage is so major, and she can't just say sorry and walk away surely? It's not somethi g that can be considered 'normal wear and tear' as who on earth puts hot pans down on a working surface? Surely everyone knows that you just never do it? And I can't be expected to suck it up when she's done something that would always just end in disaster?

Am so conflicted, want to a fair employer but I find I'm often a push-over employer and don't want to end up taking a stand at the wrong moment - but this is very bad damage and I should be reacting to Tibetans 'oh dear please don't do it again?'

Arggghhh!

I put pans on ours but always worry I'll damage it and only do it as the kitchen needs replacing.
I think you should claim on insurance but ask her to pay the excess. And she should be making your life easier not ore stressful!

Has the OP at any point confirmed what this work surface is made of or how bad the marks are? When she posted on Saturday she was relying on a text message about the damage.

OP, this is something that the landlord will inspect at the end of your tenancy, surely? Unless it's now unusable I wouldn't get it fixed now - what if you do and then another accident happens next month?

I'd never put pans on someone else's surface without a trivet or a mat.

Some people are just a little careless and she sounds like she is too. You can't legally make any deductions from her wages unless its specifically stated in her contract, so unless she offers to pay you're stuck either claiming on the insurance or paying yourself.

Maybe look around for someone else?

I live in rented house and our kitchen tops are wood but have a laminate pattern on them, probably the cheapest option, and I looks like previous tenant put a hot pan on the side and as a result the surface has burnt and become all bobbly (only way to describe it)

Can you not claim on insurance?

I always put hot pans on the worktop too.

Do you have insurance? Does she? Does her contract say anything about deductions from wages?

I don't even know why it would cross someone's mind to put a hot pan on work surfaces. of course it could burn! Yes, you may have heat proof tops, but majority don't so why do it at someone's house!
just have a discussion with her and say it's getting expensive now

I'm another one who finds it really odd how many people on this thread seem to think it's normal to put a hot pan straight onto a work surface!!

It's surely only OK on a stone surface, which is very expensive and a long way from being the norm.

OK, you MIGHT get away with it on another surface, but why take the risk?

Surely she should have insurance for this sort of thing?

Or you claim on yours and she pays the excess

Or the landlord pays on theirs and she pays the excess.

Or you leave it until you move and claim it as wear and tear.

Could you give us picture of the damage to worktop?

I am mixed on the worktop specifically. I also try hard to avoid putting hot pans on worktop BUT worktop is not fit for purpose if it can't take a brief exposure. Depends what her 'second' is.

I don't think a landlord would expect to foot the bill for a tenants error. It would come out of your deposit. I think you should claim on your house hold insurance and decide in balance whether she's more hassle than she's worth .