Boss always trying to pay me less!

[Melanie1811]

I’ve been working as nanny in London. I take my child with me. She pays me 1000£/month for 42 hours a week. Its not much but I really liked them so said yes. It’s been six months and 2 of them I got paid less, because the child was sick. Next month I’m having holidays and they are refusing to pay me. They said they’ll pay only 500£. They said they already paid my holidays in February (the girl was sick 2 weeks) and they wanted to pay me 300£ I said that’s not right and they ended up paying me 700£. Am I being unreasonable? Should I quit?

I would leave they’re taking the piss. Also tell them why.

They seem to be messing you around. I would quit

Find another job they are taking the piss

I’m getting so fed up with them. I’m always worried if they will cut me short next month. Also in our contract it says they’ll pay for 4 weeks of holidays + bank holidays.

I also supposed to work 7am-5pm and now they always ask if I can come at 6.15 I have no problem and I’m so flexible with them - it’s unfair I’m not treated the same way.

It sounds as though you're being paid under minimum wage without them slashing your salary further.

Umm not only are you not being unreasonable but I would say they're acting unlawfully. It's a couple of years since I had a nanny, so hopefully someone more up to date can confirm. We were in London and she worked 52 hours a week and we paid her £42000 gross per annum. She was paid for all statutory holiday allowance etc plus pension. They have no right to decide when you have holiday and definitely not to make you take it when the child is sick. They are absolutely shafting you.

Is it £1000 net or gross?
Are you getting payslips?

I would absolutely leave. They’re taking the piss.

I’m getting 1000£ after taxes. It is definitely under the minimum wage tho

They're awful for trying it on. Really crap. Can't imagine treating someone to whom I entrust my kids like that

Plus they have money - they are just buying second house but don’t want to psy properly s Person who takes care of their child. I feel like doing same to them and ask for more money or they can go somewhere else-they also keep comparing me to nurseries and how much they would pay (btw I’m qualified with 8years of experience)

Their child is lovely and I don’t want to not take care of her but it is stressful not to be sure how much I will get paid next month

You have to leave.

I agree that you need to find a new job. I would go through an agency as they can negotiate a decent wage for you.

If they're paying you under minimum wage you can report them.

jellycat Of course they have a right to decide when their employee takes holiday. But that said I think they have to give you notice if they are going to specify your holidays

They are definitely taking the piss op in terms of your pay and hours. You’re not even getting minimum wage and they are legally obliged to provide a pension

Why do you work for less than minimum wage? Is there a reason they think they can get away with this, i.e. do you have rights to work in the UK?

jellycat Of course they have a right to decide when their employee takes holiday.

You say of course but I and everyone I knew did it collaboratively. I didn't unilaterally tell her when to go on holiday. Clearly when we were away she took holiday. But she also had her own life.

I do! We are both from Poland so it so friendly at the beginning that I agreed. Well I told them about my holidays before I even started to work for them and they agreed

There was also planned vacation on their part and we agreed I will get it paid - now they are saying I won’t and that I misunderstood

think it's time to brush up on your working rights and start looking for another job

How much notice should I give them ?

You don't cut your nanny's wages because your child is sick! What sort of nonsense is that?!

whats your contract say?- though I doubt it holds up if they have broken your rights already themselves