Nanny employment

[Rossiroodle2010]

Two months ago I accepted a nanny job through an agency to start in Aug. This job starts part time and leads to full time. I have yet to see a contract but have since decided the job is not for me. I tried to advise agency about this to be told that once accepted I was bound. If I do decide to decline this job I would be liable to £1500 fee which is in their nanny contract of which I have no memory of signing but which I haven’t a copy to say either way. And I will be taken off their books.
I don’t want to fall out with agency but at the same time don’t want to start a job I don’t want and then give notice letting family down. What should I do?

OP why not post in legal - I strongly suspect they can’t enforce this penalty against you for various reasons although I’m not a practising employment lawyer so you may want advice from a helpful mumsnetter who is. It’s outrageous! They may never let you be on their books again but would you worry about that? I think you are well within your right to walk away and tell them to try their luck in court for the fee; I don’t fancy their chances!

You need to get a copy of the contract to check that clause is there. Depending on how it's written it may not be legally enforceable.

Also if you know the contact details of the family you should tell them directly. They won't want you if you are reluctant to work. (If you roughly know their contact details them do some digging to find the correct ones then contact them.) Oh and tell them verbally not using any firm of written communication as it then cannot be used by the agency against you.

Don't worry about what the agency says/threatens if you are never going to be in that line of work again. The agency will say contacting the family is unprofessional etc but it is because the agency wants to maintain control of it's workers and show to current/potential clients they are of use.

I’m new to this how do I post in legal?
I am still going to be in this line of work so don’t want to burn my bridges

I have never heard of this clause

You accepted a job. Job hasn’t started. No contract signed

So agency hasn’t a leg to stand on

I would ask them to send you a copy of the contract you apparrbrly signed

Even if contract has been signed most now have Clause stating weeks notice in probabtion period

No family would want a nanny to start who isn’t sure

Why aren’t you sure? What is troubling you ?

I need work, full time work and down here it’s hard to come by a full time role. There is nothing wrong with the role it’s just that since meeting the second family I have realised that I don’t belong. A nanny has to be part of the family and everything about this family feels wrong. I’m laid back and a country girl at heart and they are the exact opposite. Unfortunately I think I will just have to accept that I have to go and am bound and forget the second family and give it a try

Second family? As in nanny share or a different new job

If so then accept the other family

I went for another job which was part time until the full time one started. They are a lovely laid back country family and we clicked straight away. They want me to take the job full time but this job is through same agency and they won’t allow it. Say I am bound to first job

No agency can force you to accept a job

You have changed your mind. Just as families can decide they don’t want a nanny

No contracts are signed

Take the other job. You have already started working for them