Asking my nanny to come in ?

[dreadpiratered]

We have been on two weeks quarantine as one of our children was unwell. Our nanny is due back next week and seems keen to do so (she's not someone who I think takes well to not being active). We of course paid her in full for the two weeks. My question is are we being unfair in asking her to come back ? I am quite clear that the government guidance allows it (it's 2 metres "where possible"). I know we could furlough her, but realistically neither DH will be able to do our jobs without childcare. DDs are quite young and we have 12 hour a day jobs - neither of our bosses are in any way sympathetic and there will be redundancies when this is all over, and asking for time off will absolutely count against us. We also have people in our teams who we have given time off to for childcare for the foreseeable future so are trying to cover extra work there. I'll have another chat with our nanny before Monday but she lives with one flat mate who has been furloughed and doesn't need to take public transport.

It might be safer if the Nanny came and lived-in. Is that an option? Otherwise it is mixing households.

I would - though I would also be realistic that there is a small infection risk, and if this happens, you will need to take leave to manage either your children’s illness, cover nanny’s absence, or recover yourselves.

If you can, from cost savings you are making by staying home, I would also consider giving her a bonus for the weeks she works whilst we’re in lockdown (10% is what supermarkets are offering....).
She’s taking a risk too, coming out, and I’m sure the children will be harder work given the circumstances.

Would not be fair on her flat mate whatsoever for nanny to go between houses.

I think she should either move in with you until lockdown is over or stay well away, anything else breaks the rules. Even then this really should have been sorted some time ago.

Are you, or your DH, key workers?

*Would not be fair on her flat mate whatsoever for nanny to go between houses.

I think she should either move in with you until lockdown is over or stay well away, anything else breaks the rules. Even then this really should have been sorted some time ago.*

No, it doesn't break the rules. The nanny wouldn't be going between households as a private individual but as an employee going to her place of work. As a nanny can't WFH and still do her job, it's perfectly within the rules for her to continue going to OPs home. What's so difficult about to understand about that? And FWIW there are plenty of occupations the nanny could have where she'd still be out working and putting her flat mate at greater risk than she is by being in OPs home. If she worked in a nursery looking after key worker children, for example.

OP, I'd do what you need to do and if that's having your nanny back then so be it, taking as many precautions as you can in the circumstances.

@rottiemum88

It breaks the rules of mixing households - nanny should have moved in with OP when lockdown started. It is a bit irresponsible to not address this until now. And strictly speaking now OP is wfh she doesnt NEED nanny, it would just make her job a lot easier, which I understand.

It breaks the rules of mixing households - nanny should have moved in with OP when lockdown started. It is a bit irresponsible to not address this until now. And strictly speaking now OP is wfh she doesnt NEED nanny, it would just make her job a lot easier, which I understand.

As I said, no it doesn't break the rules because the mixing of households doesnt apply if the nanny is going there to do her job. And it isn't only key workers who are allowed to work. It's anyone who can't feasibly do their job from home, which the nanny can't for obvious reasons. The OP has no more obligation to move the nanny in with her than any employer needs to house their employees

I am a nanny. Central London and employed full time.

I have continued to work as a live out. I drive to work. I don’t enter any shops for anything!

My bosses are paying for all my food (and partners) and he is working from home. He had to be on board.

I haven’t seen another person, or been into a shop in three weeks.

However all I can say is your nanny has no control over her housemates actions- be that a daily food shop I know many nannies housemates are doing, seeing the “odd friend”, accepting food deliveries etc without distancing.

I have and will continue to work full time- I stay safe- and I cannot work from home- I work slightly shorter hours with the same salary- it’s not easy but my employers need me- their work has doubled and if I weren’t there the children would just have iPads, food wouldn’t be done let alone laundry and the dog walked! I’m doing my bit to help and hopefully your nanny could too.

But- how does she commute, how can you ensure her housemate doesn’t continue as usual.

Those saying “she should’ve moved in” no she shouldn’t. Live our nannies aren’t under any obligations to work or move in- even for more money - it’s not their home- corona virus affects us too and home life and some normality is crucial.

I think- have her come if you’re willing to risk making your family or her sick

Furlough her if in doubt and can’t afford her full pay

Pay her in full if you can’t risk the contact.

Every situation is unique. I know families who’ve sacked their nannies on the spot even though they’re of extreme wealth, families who drive and collect their nannies and ask them to live in Monday-Thursday, families who are paying full and telling nannies not to come in (however hard it is living without your nanny) and some carrying on as usual but paying for taxis, or offering to collect am and pm.

I would, because people are allowed to go to work and being a nanny is her job. I wouldn't jeopardise your jobs for this - it could go on for three or four months. Articles in today's papers are talking about social distancing being necessary until June.

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/can-we-find-a-way-out-of-the-coronavirus-lockdown-7zq2bfmlt

We're in exactly the same position. We've furloughed our nanny and are working evenings / weekends to free up time during the working day. But inevitably we both need to be on calls at once and the kids get stuck in front of a TV. Nothing's ideal but I think the next couple of weeks are critical ones to avoid getting sick in, because the NHS will be at its most stretched.

Thanks all, I'm going to talk to her again and also ask if she would like to move in. We will also shorten her hours and will take the kids during our lunch hour.

I totally understand if she doesn't want to do this, but then I think we'll give her notice as one of us will need to drop down to reduced hours.

@Wolfgirrl if you read the post, you'll see we couldn't offer that she move in earlier as we were in quarantine.

I think some nannies- including myself- would’ve moved in rather than lose a job. If she still had time off and some separate space

@dreadpiratered

Ah apologies, I skim read and missed that part.

I think your approach is sensible.

I'm following the Government advice by not having my nanny come to work. Of course I'm still paying her as it isn't her fault. Where it's possible to avoid the risk, that's the option you should take.

Nannies can still work

If you need her to

Then shorter hours as you have no travel

Make sure not in same room as her

And no need to give her notice - she doesn’t need to lose her job

That’s what furlough is for

If you have been in quarantine for 2w and don’t go out now then there is no risk to nanny nor her to flat mate