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Original poster

Nanny damaged food processor

34 replies

SuiGeneris · 27/03/2019 13:45

Our nanny has become increasingly distracted during her notice period and a few days ago left the food running while she was doing something else (unclear what as the children were not around). Somehow the large Kenwood mixer ended up on the floor and it is seriously damaged. The quote for repairing is £100 and they might well be unable to repair it. What would you do?

Accidents happen, of course, but one needs to take care and I suspect the nanny set the food processor running and left the room. We use the food processor a lot, so having it out of action for a month is in itself a problem. Let alone the fact that we might have to buy a new machine at >300gbp. And no apologies.

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coffeecoffeecofffee · 27/03/2019 13:47

I wouldn't be asking her to replace it/pay for repairs personally as accidents do happen and she may well have had to leave the room urgently to attend to one of your children. Rather a mixer got broken over a child!

They always say, don't own things you can't easily replace.Wink

wigglypiggly · 27/03/2019 13:48

I'd buy a cheaper mixer.

babysharkah · 27/03/2019 13:49

I'd accept accidents happen

nutellalove · 27/03/2019 13:49

Personally I'd write it off since she's leaving anyway and just pay for a new one. I'd sort of mention though that she shouldn't be careless like that and good it was a kitchen appliance and not a child.

Her behaviour is bad though. If I were in her position I'd be very apologetic and would have replaced it as soon as I broke it.

BlueMerchant · 27/03/2019 13:50

Even if she admits she left the room with food processor running you can't really expect her to pay. She will know you are upset about this and will likely be extra careful in future but there's not a lot you can do.

Lisette1940 · 27/03/2019 13:51

I have a large Kenwood which was edging towards the edge of the counter on top speed when my back was turned. I think she should have apologised but I wouldn't charge her for the damage. It's just one of those things.

Original poster
SuiGeneris · 27/03/2019 20:15

I do accept accidents happen but at the same time care needs to be taken and, as the children were at school, I struggle to see what urgent matter could have called her away so urgently she could not switch off the mixer before going.
And the complete lack of apology is annoying. We would not have made her pay anyway but I would have expected her at least to offer to cover the repairs. And apologise.

OP posts:
MsInconspicuous · 27/03/2019 20:31

Id say accidents happen and it be "one of those things".

MsInconspicuous · 27/03/2019 20:32

Perhaps making sure that your child wasn't in any danger? God. I'm glad I don't work for you!

Babygrey7 · 27/03/2019 20:35

It's just one of those things.

We had a babysitter who blew up the microwave by leaving it on max for 5 mins

I never thought to ask them to pay, just glad the house did not catch fire

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 27/03/2019 20:37

OP said twice her DC were at school.

AntiHop · 27/03/2019 20:39

You're unreasonable. She's a human who got distracted. Would you be expected to pay for a breakage at your work? I certainly wouldn't.

Loopytiles · 27/03/2019 20:41

Nothing you can do.

SmallFastPenguin · 27/03/2019 20:42

Cant get the staff.

HeronLanyon · 27/03/2019 20:44

I’m a bit shocked by this. How on earth would you expect a low paid nanny to pay for repairs to something which was damaged accidentally. ? Good god !

IncrediblySadToo · 27/03/2019 20:45

Nip to the loo
Answer the door
Collect the post
Put a wash on
Fetch something from the utility

...honestly, the distractions are endless. You think ‘oh I’ll only be a minute’ & in that minute either you get distracted or the kamikaze mixer hurls itself at the floor

Shit happens.

I’d be really pissed off at her not apologising though.

tatalondon · 28/03/2019 06:31

I once damaged the lid and went on spareparts and just bought a new one.Does your nanny have a nanny insurance?

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/03/2019 07:02

Do food processors move? I don’t own one

Accidents happen but yes would have been nice to have said so sorry

Tolleshunt · 28/03/2019 07:06

It would have been bode for her to apologise. But you can't ask her to pay. Accidents happen, and to expect somebody on a nanny's wage to cover that is unreasonable. If you are asking somebody to regularly complete tasks in your home, I think you have to accept there might be occasional accidents.

redstapler · 31/03/2019 11:09

This is so annoying, as it's a significant sum of money but very unlikely to be worth claiming on hour house insurance - cheaper and you wouldn't be so fussed, more and the insurance would pay. You'll have to write it off.

Callaird · 31/03/2019 13:21

I’ve broken so many things belonging to my employers during my 32 years as a nanny, I have never been asked to pay for repairs or a replacement.

Wrote off 2 cars (although I wasn’t in one at the time!)
Broke 2 wedding vases (different families)
Flooded the same kitchen, twice.
Covered the entire kitchen in boiling caramel and embedded the saucepan lid in the polystyrene ceiling and melted the saucepan to the carpet tiles (it was a very long time ago!) MB found concrete caramel all over the place when she moved out 8 years later.
Broke a christening bowl.
Cracked a butler sink.
Lots of day to day crockery.

All silly accidents, I didn’t mean to do it. But I did apologise profusely and said I’d replace everything/pay insurance excess on the cars. My employers always said, don’t be silly, accidents happen and refused to take any money from me.

I think the 2 vases hurt MB’s the most but to be fair they were left in places where they were easily knocked off/over.

redstapler · 31/03/2019 15:32

@Callaird you sound very clumsy!

Callaird · 31/03/2019 15:48

@redstapler - I think 10 major accidents in 32 years isn’t terribly clumsy.

BatFace1 · 31/03/2019 15:51

@Callaird what a clumsy nightmare you sound

OP - I hear you and get it. An apology would have been nice

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 31/03/2019 15:57

Accidents happen, she didn't do it on purpose.

Do you really need a mixer which costs £300? What's the difference between a Kenwood which costs £100/£150 and a £300 one?