Would you expect your nanny to work if your child has covid?

[Samthenanny]

Jus as the title says really, if you employ a nanny would you expect her to come into your home and look after your child who’s tested positive for covid?

No. And I can't understand how the pressure on them makes it ok to ask you this. It's not remotely reasonable to ask this of you, much less to expect it.

No!! I’m sure it’s against gov guidelines too.

Why have you agreed to go?

Wow. No.

I hope you’re ok OP.

Absolutely not.

@Thatsplentyjack

Why have you agreed to go?

I’ve not agreed, it’s been expected of me. I just wanted to get options to validate what I thought was right

That's awful. I would call in sick for work and start looking for another job. Awful way to treat you.

No! How awful that they are expecting you to work

Ask them to provide full, hospital standard PPE. The child can stay in their room and you'll talk to them through the door and leave meals for them outside the door.

In all seriousness though, they're completely unreasonable and if I'm not mistaken they're breaking a law or two there too. They can't make you go. They'll just have to manage like millions of other people do.

I am livid on your behalf, OP. I wonder how they would have reacted if you were the one who had Covid and you wanted to work as normal. Unbelievable.

No. Well I wouldn't if I were a nanny. No thanks. Your child, your problem I'm afraid....

Please say no! Bloody cheeky idiots.

I sent my nanny straight home when my two kids had positive LFTs. But she's said since if any more is in the house, she still wants to come to mind the non covid kids but would expect us to mind the positive child away from the others or if one of us, stay separate. Dunno what we'll do if the scenario crops up again.

Are they trying to say a nanny is providing essential care? I'm not sure that is what is meant by essential care.

www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/shops-branches-and-close-contact-services#retail-2-5

2.5 I feel is clear, do not enter a house where someone has Covid symptoms. Would be nice though if it said clearly that it also meant where someone had tested positive and was not yet showing symptoms.

Nope & you should have a clause in your contract regarding illness & contagious illness and it's time to update re Covid specifically!

I wouldn't go. They can expect all they bloody well like!!

You should definitely refuse as it's against the law as you would be regarded in law as a visitor as the child has able parents at home who can and should be looking after them.
My DH had Covid recently (caught from my DD) and was bed ridden even though he is double jabbed so you could still catch it.
Think of the safety of yourself and your own family - it's a nasty virus.

I would only expect this in exceptional circumstances such as if the child had a medical condition/ disability and required waking care 24/7 which parents couldn’t provide or if parents were away abroad and there was no option for them to come home to be with their own child.

If you did have to support a child with covid I would expect to have full PPE and a clear risk assessment and for the 2-metre rule to be stuck to as much as possible. I work in a children’s home where there is no option to have parents look after children who are unwell and our covid policy is very clear on the need for full PPE (cuffed full length gown, gloves, medical grade face mask, visor) and social distancing if caring for a symptomatic or positive child.

Good lord. The selfishness of some people.

They're asking you to do something dangerous.

Tell them that's not possible.

Imagine if you caught long Covid from this, are they going to fund your expenses until you recover, or just forget you and find another nanny to exploit?

No!

If you get covid, then you’ll be out - so at the very least they need to engage their brain and realise that.

Seriously, I would find a new position.

If you feel bad saying 'no' (which you shouldn't!) text them saying your doctor has told you not to attend.

Then spend the time off job hunting. They sound like complete arseholes.

Thought I’d update,

Told them I wasn’t happy nor comfortable coming in so they said they would talk to my charge about sensible distancing, I obviously said no to this as it’s completely unrealistic and not allowed!
I said the only way I’ll be coming in is if my charge is isolating completely away from myself to which they’ve agreed to reluctantly I think.
I’m just taking the younger one to and from school and normal duties in between.

I don't think I would trust them to enforce this properly.

My DS has just had covid, and he was restricted to his room and en suite, with meals being left at the door. Given your employers' cavalier attitude do you really think they will be enforcing this when you aren't there?

No, of course not, obviously.

Nope of course they haven’t been I know that.
It’s just selfish, I did say it’d be like me coming to work with covid.
They’re way too busy for me not to be here, their words

Nope