Would you employ an "illegal" Philipino nanny?

[knakered]

this opportunity has recently come my way via an existing nanny (her friend wants a job)...what are the risks of getting involved in this?..would I be prosecuted?

I wouldn't even consider it.

No. I wouldn't.

No, I wouldn't even contemplate it.

nope

Yes I think you would be the one to get into trouble, as you are aware of her situation, i.e being illegal. Of course she would too, she wouldnt get off 'scott free' but you wouldnt be seen as the the innocent party either.

I wouldnt even think about it! Shes caring for your children, she maybe the nicest lady in the world, but if she cant be 'trusted' in the authorties eyes ie the government because she is illegal, would you want to trust her with your children? I wouldnt.

No, I wouldn't, and yes, you would be in big trouble if you were caught. For a start you would be avoiding taxes and NI (aside from the immigration issue) and I really wouldn't want to be in that sort of situation with the Inland Revenue.

If she is someone you are really keen on, is there any way of making it a legal arrangement by sponsoring her or anything (I know nothing about this, it's just a thought)?

As the employer the responsibility falls to you to ensure you have checked that the employee has the right to work in the uk. If not, then you will be held responsible.

Why would you want to do this?

No. Don't do it.

Dont do it. A family I know illegally employed a south american naanny and she was arrested and deported. Imagine trying to explain that one to your kids

NO way

inland rev can fine you up to £3k for not registering as employing a nanny properly and paying their tax / NI etc... i dont if thats just english ones but i wouldnt take the risk personally

And bear in mind that if you or she piss anybody off, it'll only take one little call to the Immigration Service before you end up with a dawn raid (yes, the IS do pounce at dawn, even in houses with children), she'd be removed to the Philipines and you'd very likely be prosecuted. Is it worth it?

NO chance.

Never mind the £3k fo ravoiding registering with the revenue,the fine for employing an illegal is £20k and a prison sentence.

I looked into this owing to a similar situation and there is no way on earth I would risk it.

Don't do it - v.dangerous.

But.... it's completely shameful that government policy on immigration is run by the Daily Mail et al. There's a big gap in the market in the UK for domestic workers and huge demand to do the job. It's particular to the UK that childcare is so prohibitively expensive - in the EU country where I live, you can get full-time domestic help for less than Euro 1000 per month, even for 600 or 700. And these are highly experienced, motivated and qualified people.

The only reason it's different is because there's no lobby suggesting that filippino maids might be responsible for rising crime.

Shame on the tabloid press for cynically making life so difficult for UK mums, and shame on the Home Secretary for not doing something about it.

there isn't a big gap in the UK market for domestic workers.

put an ad on gumtree and you'll have 50people beating your door down, 90% legal (new europeans, kiwis and aussies on visas etc)

I wouldn't in a million years

I wouldn't do it either. No way. Too risky.

Is she here legally? On a work visa for someone else? Are there any legal routes through which to employ her?

Peahead is right there are tons of people to hire legally. Everytime I go looking for a new nanny I find that CVs stampede their way into my inbox. Okay, most of them aren't qualified, but there are still plenty to choose from.

I wouldnt enter into a regular nanny arrangement with somebody without papers. It is too risky. She could be arrested any time, eg when out walking with your children. You can't run that sort of risk with a nanny.

It is a very unfair situation, but you can offer a job to someone from a Commonwealth country, and sponsor them for the visa, if you want to do your bit towards redistributing the worlds wealth to poorer countries.

Wouldn't even think about it. It is illegal.

Thanks everybody..I really had no idea of the consequences - wont be persuing that one any way....the legal live in nannys are earning £300/week ...when this girl called me she said that she charged £10/hr net!!...I feel a bit guilty and grubby as I keep trying to get cheap childcare - and I wouldnt buy cheap shoes

I would worry that if an emergency happened she wouldn't want to call the police or would be hesitant to take kids into hospital.

I wouldn't want to have to be underhand when it comes to my kids care I would want it all above board and probably do police checks. Normally you have to pay a nannies tax and insurrance so that would be another illegal part you would play.

Knackered,
How many kids have you got? What are the hours? How old are the kids?

Depending on your kids' ages and the hours I think less than £300 per week for live in is certainly doable.

uwila...would really find it useful to estimate what I should be paying....I have 4 children the hours are 8-6 the oldest leaves and returns to and from school with me so doesnt really count except holidays when often we will be away or i will arrnge camps. Then I have a 5 and 6 yr old at school 9-3 ...then a 6 month old...what should I pay live in per week full time?...is it possible to do live in part time ie they work 2 days elsewhere - happy to keep living at mine...what should I pay live out daily rate (gross)