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?

Find a new job. They aren’t going to get better. Start the next job as you mean to go on, with firm boundaries and please please stop bending over backwards for people. It achieves the opposite effect and they lose any last bit of respect they had for you. Learnt the hard way.

Also i should get paid on Monday and will probably get half - so I’m thinking not to take it and quit straight away - our contract doesn’t say anything about notice. Or should I get paid half - go on holidays and finish by end of June?

if they arent paying you your holidays why would it matter. Just leave- your "contract" sounds very dodgy!!!!

Oh sorry Just read my contract and it says 2 months notice...I see the contract is for their favour mostly

What does your contract say about your wage and holiday pay?

I'm shocked they didn't pay you when the child was sick. They are absolutely taking the piss. I'd give them one months written notice. (Two months is ridiculous) they aren't sticking to the contract, why should you.

Give them no notice and report them.

I wouldn’t worry about any contract, the terms of your employment are not legal.

Just give the amount of notice that suits you and you feel is fair. Personally I would be worried that they wouldn’t pay my last wages though.

If they used a nursery and the child was sick they would still have to pay, so why should a nanny be treated differently. Find a new job OP.

Wait until you get paid then tell them you are leaving with no notice, they may try and backtrack and give you more money. If they don't leave and report them

I would firstly just informally point out that they aren't paying minimum wage and you are entitled to £x amount an hour - they actually need to pay you back everything they owe you from underpaying you.

You should also raise the holiday issue, say you are entitled to 20 days paid holiday a year and they can't dock your pay when their child is ill (unless this is in the contract?).

If they refuse to pay you, I would resign with immediate effect - make sure you get your wages first though!

Quit with no notice. And report them to HMRC if they say one word about the ‘contract’. I have a nanny, not only does she get paid when my child is ill, but full pay when she’s ill, paid holidays and a pension !! This is normal for a nanny job. You can do much better even bringing your child along !

I would put all of your concerns in writing, including pointing out the contract you have. I would set out very clearly that if they are not willing to make changes/honour the contract then they can take the letter as your resignation. I would add that if they won't honour their contract etc then you won't be honouring yours re your notice period. Basically, they can follow the contract properly or not have you at all.

Find a new job. Give weeks notice.

Contract isn’t legal if not paying nmw or holidays

They are already in breach of contract for not paying you properly so I would give as much notice, or none, as you like. Once you resign they will probably never pay you again though as they will say you should have given two months notice so you might want to factor that in when deciding when to tell them.