My au pair manhandled my dog.... is it gross misconduct?

[MissionImplausible]

We have a camera in the house to keep an eye on the dog whilst we are at work. It's been off for a week or so but I put it back on today and it caught my au pair kicking our dog to get her out of her bed for a wee and then, when the dog didn't move, grabbing her by the collar to lift her clean off her feet and throwing her outside!!!

The au pair has been with us for over a year and knows about the camera but not that it was working again.

I am disgusted and want her out of my house straight away for what I see as gross misconduct - how can I trust her with my child (who is 10yrs old?) BUT a colleague who is playing devils advocate is suggesting a final warning is more appropriate as she has been with us for so long and we've not experienced this before (although perhaps it happens away from the doggy cam?)

Any opinions?

@SoloMummy you must know some horrible people. Most dog owners never kick or throw their dogs and wouldn’t dream of it anymore than we would kick or throw our dc.

This really does need to go to the police, it is animal abuse.

Animal abuse is a red flag as many go on to abuse children/other people.

What a Bitch

I admire your restraint OP as I am of a mind to treat her how she did the dog .
Get Rid.

That's disgusting!! Get rid of her now. Your poor dog! There's no way I could trust someone that heartless with animals to be with my kid unsupervised, ever.

@SoloMummy

She is neither a nanny nor employed.

Even if she were, her role as childcare does not give her a legal right to abuse animals because 'looking after a dog is not her responsibility'.

At the most she could perhaps argue it's reasonable for her to ignore the dog. Not to abuse it

I don't think that you having a dog that she has had to assume responsibility for is fair on her and being a great nanny doesn't mean that you'd be a great dogs woman!

She's not employed to look after the postman either but if she punched him in the face she'd get the sack. Ridiculous logic. Poor doggy and poor you what a shame. She wouldn't have come back in the house if it was me.

I don't think that you having a dog that she has had to assume responsibility for is fair on her and being a great nanny doesn't mean that you'd be a great dogs woman

I’m not a dog person. But I’d never ever mistreat one. Or any other living creature .

I’d fire her. What does her contract say about dismissal ? If shes young and / or from another country I think it’s reasonable to give her a few days to arrange flights home or look for another job. You can’t put her out on the streets tonight .

If you don’t want her in your home then you can always pay for a cheap hotel for a few days, to give her time to make other arrangements .

@MissionImplausible
Please report her actions to the police/agency.
Violence to the vulnerable affects animals and children. Please see this link
thelinksgroup.org.uk/about-us/

This person should not be allowed to look after any child

Animal abuse is definitely a red flag for work in any type of care setting.

Did your colleague see the footage?

My only possible explanation for your colleagues respond is that it was a very gentle kick.

The Au-pair will probably have to organise a flight home, but I agree with others she can't stay in your house if she's kicking your dog.
Does your child even like her?

It'd take me less to kick her out than it took you to write this post. This is unacceptable and I'd probably call the police too. Poor, poor dog!

Another one saying I’d sack her.

The poor sweetheart and a rescue dog. Yes, the right thing is to dismiss, there are no excuses for her. You'll find another au pair.

Oh my god, that made me so mad to read. I'd like to give her a kick for doing that. I wouldn't trust her with kids either and I'm sure you're justified in firing her.

Oh, I’d sack her and I’m not particularly a dog-lover. Cruelty to animals is really low, I think it shows some kind of personality disorder (aren’t most murderers cruel to animals!?) I wouldn’t want her looking after my child!

Ignore your bloody colleague too .

She would have known you had a dog before taking the job. She would also have known that the dog was loved and cared for.

If she hadn't liked dogs she should not have taken the job. Report it to RSPCA and Police. I would consider making it known to agencies, and if no action is taken, it would be in online too. You may have more to lose in that respect than I do but I hate animal abuse.

I wouldn't want her in my home for another hour, but obviously it has to be dealt with appropriately.

What are you doing about it op? Is the dog beating arsehole out of your house? Are the children she’s looking after old enough to say if she’s abused them as well?

Omg definitely dismiss her. If nothing else it shows what kind of person she is to do that to a dumb animal!! Please don’t let her near the dog. Show her the footage and ask her to leave as soon as practicable

I agree with others, dismiss her. Animal abusers are really low people and I wouldn’t want one in my home.

BUT a colleague who is playing devils advocate is suggesting a final warning is more appropriate as she has been with us for so long and we've not experienced this before

Please give me this colleague's address, so that I can rock up to her gaff, kick her while she's lying down, then pick her up by the collar & throw her outside.

It'll obviously be fine, because when she complains about it, all I need do is say "but you've never experienced this before".

Dismiss the au pair TODAY, OP.
How can you even consider allowing her access to your dog, or your child, after seeing this?

How awful. Sack her immediately

Gross misconduct isn’t a concept that legally applies to an au pair arrangement. You do not employ her.

So - thankfully - you can just tell the animal abuser to go.

I’d report to the RSPCA.

As well as terminating employment immediately too - but you’ve already said you would.