Coronavirus and latest guidance

[squirrelnutbum]

So latest guidance on the government website (sorry I can't seem to link). Is that people who provide services in other people's homes can continue to do so but should observe the two metre rule. Clearly that's not possible with kids.

We have a baby, toddler and five year old with SEN at home. DH and I are working from home. We are self isolating for two weeks as one of DC had a temperature a week ago. Nanny is full time and drives to work. We have stood her down for the self isolation period which she understood but was very sad about. We are of course paying her in full.

We are working in split shifts to cover childcare starting from 5 am to midnight. Neither of our employers are being particularly sympathetic (we are both in industries and at levels where it's not common to have both parents work) and we're falling behind in our work and both being asked to work at times when one of us needs to look after the kids. We're also not doing the best job for our kids, especially the eldest.

So our options seem to be:

1. Ask nanny to come back in after isolation and work as normal, if she is comfortable doing so. We are not in contact with anyone and so far have managed to get all food delivered (albeit I accept that there is still risk with this). She lives with one other person who is a key worker. I am OK with the risk that we may be infected by her (or may already have had it) I think we will all eventually get it.

1. One of us takes unpaid leave. We would either move to furlough or make her redundant. We could only do Furlough if it covered all of the costs as if one of us is on unpaid leave we will need to ask for a payment holiday from our mortgage shortly too. This makes me super nervous as I suspect there will be mass redundancies in both industries after this is over. This will be a drop in income to her of between 20-50% depending on how the cap works out.

1. We ask nanny to move in. We have a spare room and can create some living space for her. This seems to be more compliant with government guidelines.

Any other thoughts ? Nannies can I ask your view?

Thanks

B

Hi
I had a conversation with my boss yesterday. My husband is also a key worker, still working, and my nanny family have been in isolation too.
She said it was upto me if I came to work. But I was aware that if I said I didnt want to work, then that would mean legally they dont have to pay me.
According to BAPN there is no confirmation that the furlough will apply to nannies.
I cant afford to not work, I rent and there is not holiday for renters. So I will keep working. But if furlough applied I would be happy with 80 percent, as would most nannies so no need for it to cost you more.
I would not live in, we could be out of our homes for 6 months. I wouldnt see my husband or own children. If your nanny live alone that might be an option but otherwise it's not reasonable.
If people get ill and have to go into hospital, your last goodbye could be at that point. I wouldnt want to miss that if living elsewhere.
It's a terrible situation for everyone and I do feel for nanny employers too; trying to work from home and getting stress from their bosses.
My family have been self isolating for 2 weeks and will now only go out for food.
My children and I wont be going anywhere but my husband is going out. So i think I could take the infection to their home, more than the other way around, but who knows.
At work I will try to minimize contact, maybe read stories with children sitting in front of me, rather than cuddling. Toddlers still need help toileting and dressing.
It's a difficult situation, but you as the employer need to make the call. A nanny cannot legally lay herself off or make herself redundant.