Nanny contract - what to put for sick leave?

[fludnelb]

Hi all, we have a p/t nanny starting with us soon so I am trying to get her contract sorted. I have a basic one that I am updating, but I am coming a bit stuck on the sick pay thing.

Is it OK to just say: The Nanny shall be entitled to receive statutory sick pay in accordance with the Government SSP scheme during periods of sickness absence.

Or should I be more specific, ie, you can be off sick for 3 working days in any 3 month-period, after which SSP kicks in? Would be grateful if anyone had any views/examples/advice!

Thanks

I would say SSP. Then if you want to pay her more than that you can - it just means you're not compelled to.

I had a nanny once whom I suspected of pulling sickies... At first we paid her in full, despite the contract saying SSP. Then we said if we had to pay for alternative care, or take holiday to cover her sick days, sadly we would have no option but to stick with the terms of the contract. Her health perked up no end after that

SSP is Really Mean. It would make you think twice before having a duvet day....

Just write "SSP". I've never held back a day of pay for being sick, but I would if I thought she was either pulling a sickie or I couldn't afford to cover her and alternate care.

Cool - thanks, I'll do that!

From a nannies point of view - my contracts have always just had SSP. As others have already said, if you pay a specific number of sick days - then your employee will make sure they take those sick days each year. Better to put SSP in the contract - then you can pay for sick days if you feel they are genuine (and can afford to pay).

i have 4 weeks sick before SSP comes in

ie for each illness i can be ill fot 4 weeks until i stop being on full pay (my bosses are adament that if i was really sick, (as you would ahev tyo be for being off for 4 weeks) they would continue to pay me for as long as possible.

in 8 years of nannying i have only ever had 3 days off sick (all this year). Am only ever off when i am so poorly i cant physically get out of bed!

NannyL, I have about the same in my job, which is why I was wondering whether I should offer my nanny a better deal than just SSP - but on the other hand I've just had a bad experience with CM who took the p* when it came to sickies and charged full pay as well (one of the reasons I have decided to employ a nanny instead!)

I think I will do what the others recommended - offer only SSP but pay in full unless I feel I am being taken for a ride.