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Original poster

Coronavirus- can nanny still work?

390 replies

ChloeR81 · 18/03/2020 17:43

Hi, hope I’m not duplicating a thread but I couldn’t find one.

I have a lovely nanny who comes 2 days a week. Where do we stand regarding isolation etc? Can she refuse to come to work when we’re all well? At what point would she be able to not come to work, e.g. what level of official lockdown etc.

Want to be totally fair to her and follow the rules, but equally if I don’t have childcare I can’t work and earn money to pay her. Thanks, it’s so difficult to navigate

OP posts:
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LottieBees19 · 24/03/2020 07:40

Update
This morning BAPN have said nannies can work. But urge nanny families to consider nannies health.

cloudchaos · 24/03/2020 07:44

Is it possible to link to the notice @LottieBees19 ?

We told our nanny to stay at home last night for the foreseeable. We haven't been out as a family for weeks, but I think she has been out socially and her husband is a key worker so I'm more worried about her bringing something into the home. But if this is the advice, I'm now not sure what to do for the best.

SparklySeal · 24/03/2020 08:14

How about pay? What is the difference from a disease spreading persepctive if nanny drives and has been with kids only for past few days ?

Everyone might lose my job if nanny doesnt work

GracieMouse1969 · 24/03/2020 18:22

I'm a nanny for two heart doctors who are poised to go back into front line services. They say in a matter of days/ weeks there'll be a swathe of people needing hospital beds and the NHS will break. They are taking this very seriously and are only wanting me to work when they literally have to. That means they're paying me to stay at home but when they get THAT call (that they both have to go in at the same time) - I will too! I'll have a foot in two homes and that scares me....
My advice would be to only have your nanny come if you are a Keyworker. All the while people are still moving about the virus will keep spreading and we'll be in this situation for longer than we need to. Every single time you let her step into the house you're cross contaminating the germs that might be breeding. Remember it takes 14 days for symptoms to occur and she might have picked up the virus out and about shopping, seeing her boyfriend, kissing her own auntie, taking money off a counter in the local shop, taking the letter off the mat in her home that morning, packing the shopping away that's she's taken delivery off from the tesco man ...It's that easy.
My bosses are desperately trying to protect their household as well as trying to protect me and my family. I'm immensely grateful that they're thinking of me in this way.
Todays briefing talked about STAYING IN YOUR FAMILY UNIT so if I were you I'd be thinking very very seriously as to whether you want to take the risk of cross contaminating. Morally, is it fair to keep expecting your nanny to step out of HER family unit to come into yours??? If you're not one of the ones who're on the list of keyworkers - don't put her in the position.

SparklySeal · 24/03/2020 18:38

Thanks for sharing. I told my nanny not to come in the end and got little work done.

Checking with payroll co but doubt I can claim the 80% as I'm not a business.

Considering asking my nanny to take paid + unpaid leave for 3 weeks or even letting her go immediately with full notice pay. I dont want to at all but if I cant work I cant afford her + what looks to be prolonged school closures and likely a long time before I can find a job my level again + I need to sort childcare for DH to keep his job...

Childcarehelp · 24/03/2020 19:35

Our nanny payroll company has said we are likely to be able to claim the 80% as employers of nannies but they are waiting to confirm.

LottieBees19 · 24/03/2020 19:41

@sparkyseal
Nanny tax are saying you can claim the 80 percent as nanny paid under PAYE

Bringonspring · 24/03/2020 19:49

Hmmm it’s says ‘suggest’

The information we have suggests that all employers (who have a PAYE scheme) will be eligible for the Coronavirus Job retention scheme. HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs (up to a cap of £2,500 per month).

Original poster
ChloeR81 · 24/03/2020 20:24

There has been some clarity on this today which is great. Hancock (Health Secretary) has said people who can’t work from home absolutely should go to work, as we need to keep the country running (lead article on BBC news website).

Also had an email from NannyPaye today saying the same, that Nannies should still be going to work under the new guidelines.

OP posts:
Bringonspring · 24/03/2020 20:33

That extra guidance is helpful

Whatthefunk · 25/03/2020 13:51

Does anyone else feel really down about this situation? I'm a nanny, not working for key workers. My NF are isolating at the moment, but expect ne back in, next week. My husband is a key worker, so he has to work, and I just feel that with him mixing with other people, and the fact that it's impossible to follow social distancing with the tiny children at work, we're caught between a rock and a hard place...

LottieBees19 · 25/03/2020 16:54

The health and safety at work act says employers must provide a safe working environment. The government have said that anyone going to work must maintain social distancing of 2 m.
So if families are not key workers themselves then you could argue a nanny is not essential.
My family will be suing my nanny family if I become ill/die for not providing a safe working environment.

TheWayOfTheWorld · 25/03/2020 17:03

What are you views on nannies doing some work from home during this time? Eg video calls to read stories/listen to reading/practice maths and spellings?

Original poster
ChloeR81 · 25/03/2020 17:09

Wow, suing your employer if you get Coronavirus...this has definitely made me feel that it’s just not worth the risk of keeping our nanny if this is how people are thinking. Isn’t it projected 60% of the UK will get it at some point?

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bjonesreborn · 25/03/2020 17:17

thewayoftheworld I’m a nanny and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I do 2 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon - although yesterday was longer. The children (5 &8) read to me, I do a spelling test and yesterday I did their science homework with them. It’s working well. The parents can get a few hours uninterrupted work done and I feel like I’m doing my bit for them. I am also researching resources for them online and trying to come up with ideas of things to keep them amused. Plus I get to see the children every day which is lovely.

LottieBees19 · 25/03/2020 17:18

ChloeR81
Only you can lay your nanny off or make her redundant. Your nanny can not refuse to come to work. If you lay her of you can apply to HMRC for 80% of her salary .
Otherwise check with your employer insurance and see if you are covered still.

OrangeTwirl · 25/03/2020 17:22

I wouldn’t work for anyone who puts themselves in close contact with people they don’t know. Thems the rules - for good reason. Why would you expect anyone to?

Let the nanny go for their own safety

cloudchaos · 25/03/2020 17:53

Your family will sue the nanny family if you get Covid19? I don't think they will get very far with that. You could just as easily pick it up from the postman, or you could spread it to them - should they then sue you?

The government says you should continue to work, in fact they provided updated advice clarifying that anyone who is unable to work remotely can go to work.

My nanny PAYE company have also said my nanny should work.

I've sent her home though, but this is just because we are taking this very seriously and not having contact with anyone and I'm not sure she is doing the same.

Hugglespuffed · 25/03/2020 17:55

Oh good god I would not be suing my nanny family if i caught coronavirus. And I don't think anyone would have a leg to stand on. There is no way to prove that is where you caught it. You could catch it walking down your street, touching a car door, popping to the shop, food being delivered, letters through the letterbox.
Whilst I feel strongly now that nannies should only really be working for key workers, saying that you will sue them is absolutely terrible since they are just following the (limited and extremely conflicted) advice.

LottieBees19 · 25/03/2020 18:38

I dont see the postman or go out other than to work. The virus lives for 24 hours on cardboard, so unlikely to get it from post or food shopping.
So if I get it I will be from my nanny family. My family is not going out either. So yes I would sue as they are not providing a safe work environment as per government guidelines. Like all nannies I have insurance for legal representation and I would use it.
If you have a nanny and are key workers that's fine. Otherwise you should consider your nanny's safety and not ask her to work.

cloudchaos · 25/03/2020 19:30

@LottieBees19 but you just said earlier nannies are allowed to work. So the government have said it's okay, so you can't sue for that. They are sticking to the rules and it's considered safe.

Covid-19 RNA were found in the Princess Cruise ship 17 days after its passengers had left, a lab found the virus on plastic and metal after 72 hours. You could get it from opening a gate etc.

It's impossible to reduce risk down to absolutely zero.

LottieBees19 · 25/03/2020 19:41

The government have said it ok to go to work as long as you can maintain social distancing.
Some people like careers, nurses etc obviously can’t do this either but their job is essential. Also a nanny for key workers is also essential.
But a nanny to two parents , neither in key jobs is NOT essential.
You said earlier you are a key worker, so my argument is not with you.
But there is no way employers are providing a safe environment.
Just accept unless you are a key worker , you should send your nanny home. Claim furlough payment for him/her. It won’t cost you anything.

LottieBees19 · 25/03/2020 19:42

Sorry care workers

Bringonspring · 25/03/2020 19:50

Lottie just quit then. Why aren’t you resigning?

Of course you couldn’t sue, no way could you prove it.