Nanny doesn't want paid by vouchers - why??

[toomuchtodo]

I could pay my nanny using childcare vouchers through work, but she's very hesitant. I usually just give her cash, the vouchers would save me money though.

Has anyone else got a nanny or other childcarer who has refused these vouchers?

I think she doesn't want them going through her account but why?

How do you pay her each week? Do you organise her tax? Maybe she is claiming benefits on the side and doesn't want a paper trail. Or she could just be a bit ignorant of whats involved. I can't see a valid reason to refuse tbh.

Agree with Nannyj. I think she's avaoiding a paper trail that proves she has an income.

I have had nurseries worry about these too - it can take a bit of time for them to be convinced payment isn't going to be delayed. However, if she's normally paid in cash what the others have suggested may well be the reason.

Is she your employee? I'm assuming you pay her tax and NI. If it's all above board it does seem a bit strange that she's refusing them.

Nannies have to be registered somehow on order for you to be able to use the vouchers to pay them.

Maybe she can't be bothered with the hassle of getting registered.

ok... i know lots of nannies who end up being paid late because of these voucher things...

not the parents fault, but not the nannies fault either.

I will be paid using them as of his month so will see how i find them!

Maybe that is WHY she doesnt want the hassel of them! afterall they dont make life any easier for the nanny, and if anything only complicate things!

Will the nanny have to send the vouchers off, and wait form the money to arrive in her bank account? Maybe she just like to handle hre mondy in cash. You'll be saving money - is she due a pay rise? Maybe you could give her some of the money you'll save as a pay rise?

I think she's worried she'll be late paid

could you offer to pay her cash if the vouchers are late and then deduct the appropriate amount from the next pay packet? - that assumes that the vouchers don;t cover the full amount

DO all you can to reassure her that she will get prompt payment. I get part of my salary paid by vouchers, and it arrives in my bank account typically 14 days before my monthly salary is paid in - so voucher payments can arrive early! Only use electronic vouchers, not paper based ones, saves a lot of hassle and ensures fast payment.

We pay the cost of our nanny getting registered - since the vouchers are to save us money it seems unfair for her to be out of pocket as a result. Is that part of the reason?

We are just about to start using a nanny and she's self employed. Does anyone know if this prevents her from receiving payment by vouchers ?

RuthHawkins...Slightly concerned re your Nanny being self employed...I may be wrong but as far as I'm aware Nannies can't be self employed unless they're temps???

I don't think a nanny can be self-employed. YOU have to sort out and pay her tax and NI.

The vouchers are nothing to do with that, but to get them she has to be registered which involves (I think) being qualified as a nanny, and having first aid and a special CRB check.

And registration costs money.

Uh oh....
"Nanny" and "self employed" don't generally belong in the same sentence.

Is she temporary? Are you paying an agency directly for the service?

If you are paying her directly and she is coming to you on a regular basis for say more than a month or so, I think you have to be her employer.

I thought you would know, Eleusis!

do you know I am still getting hassled by inland revenue for my "nanny" who left after 4 months, in Sept 2005?

I paid every penny right away back then (tax freaks me out) but 2 letters and 3 phone calls later, they don't seem to be able to stop sending me demanding letters, covering the last few months.

Now I am using a childminder, because it is easier to pay her with vouchers, and no tax hassle for me-she really IS self employed, and qualified, first aided and CRB'd.

I had to persuade her to accept the vouchers but now she is happy knowing she will be paid early, if anything.

Oh no. That sounds dreadful. Why are they still hassling you?

When I phone with the latest letter, they are very polite, know about my previous calls, and assure me not to worry about it. Then another letter comes, saying I owe them again, for more months that I didn't have a nanny.

It's quite worrying.

Maybe this is standard, they assume I am trying to cheat or something? I keep saying I will never have another nanny, I had to cut my working hours to do the school/nursery runs myself, and that both kids will be in school soon anyway.

Having been paid 9 days late by Busy Bees last month I now understand why some people are so reluctant to take vouchers. Its very hard to budget when you can't rely on being paid on the agreed date.