Help! Can’t fire nanny! Advice??

[Curiousfruit]

Given the COVID situation, it’s basically impossibly for our nanny to get to us, as she lives miles away and doesn’t drive. We’re therefore looking to hire someone else who lives closer but the info I’m getting from our nanny company basically seems to be that not being able to get to us isn’t grounds for dismissal, so I have to keep her on furlough even though she isn’t coming, and find temporary childcare - ie pay 2 salaries, which isn’t doable. Help!

How was she getting to you before covid restrictions? You don't have to keep her on furlough surely?

Taxi, train, bus. Not your problem to get her to work. You aren't however paying 2 salaries if she is getting paid furlough from gvt but that's beside the point.

She was getting the bus, and train, but neither she nor we are comfy with that at the moment / for the forseeable future.

Good point on furlough @tarscout - guess I’m just wondering when the government will pay us back for furloughed employees!

I don't think you not wanting her to get public transport is a reason to furlough her if I'm honest. You either do without a nanny or this one tells you she is not wanting to get public transport and can't get to work so she'll have to hand her notice in I imagine. Or get a lift?

To be blunt, she needs to use public transport, or find other work. I know that sounds harsh, but it is reality. There are many people e.g. nurses, bus drivers, posties, train drivers etc whose job relies on them to go out there and take the risk. And we have to be honest, if she is in good health and under 60 she has next to zero chance of dying of the virus. She has more chance of being knocked down by a car when walking to the bus stop!

It is harsh, but she has to choose - live with a minuscule risk, or find alternative employment.

Could she come and live with you for a while?

Our nanny is on furlough. I apply for furlough payments from HMRC each month, and it has been paid within a couple of working days of each application. Have you actually applied for it?

I'm confused. Is she your employee or the employee of the "nanny company"? If she is your employee, you can decide whether to furlough her or not - it's your choice. But you can expect her to attend work, and if she doesn't you certainly can terminate her contract. If she's am employee of the "nanny company" then your are paying for a nanny, and you expect a nanny, and how you get a nanny is their problem.

I’m pretty sure if my company wanted me in the office and I said nope, not taking the train they’d fire me and find someone else. They wouldn’t let me be on furlough if there’s a job which needs doing.

I'm also pretty sure you can't ask the government to pay for someone to be furloughed and then use that money to employ someone else.

It's all well and good the posters saying she needs to use public transport. If the nanny takes public transport she increases the infection risk for the OPs household.

OP if you need your nanny could you not go and collect her and take her home at the end of the day? It would provide her with safe transport which in turn is safer for you and your children.

How far is the journey? I know it will be time consuming for you but the current situation is rather extraordinary. If she is a good nanny and has cared for your children well then you should try and help her continue her role - not moan that you can't ditch her and replace like an old kitchen appliance or similar!

Well you can't expect her to do without any money and wait around for you to be comfortable for her to use public transport again, the same as she can't expect you to pay her if she refuses to find a way to work.

Another one here suggested you tell her to come back to work, using public transport. If she refused then she'll have to leave. Many people are going back to work now.

It's not that she can't get to work, she won't, and that's on her. Fire her and find someone else.

Is it a case of that you don’t want her working for you if she uses public transport or that she doesn’t want to use public transport? If it’s the first you need to collect her.

I don’t think it’s right to carry on using the furlough scheme when the job is available and can be done.

A lot of nanny employers are giving nannies a lift instead of them getting public transport. It sounds like it is as much you who doesn't want her to get public transport as her.

To be fair to the op I wouldn't be happy with someone coming to look after my children who's just been on public transport.

Would you really want her to use public transport, though?

Just furlough her on the 80%. there's no need to top up.

Do you aren’t happy with her using public transport ?

Is she happy to use pt?

So yes you need to furlough her

Which means you aren’t paying 2 salaries

And each month you put in claim and I gather levels paid by Hmrc quote quickly

Yes you can furlough someone and employ someone on A temp basis To help you out

Is it 5 days ? Could you pick her up and she stay at yours ?

Tho again the government is trying to move the economy on
And people are going back to work