URGENT

[PellMell]

Sorry but i need to know this ugently.
If I have been employed as a Nanny for 9 months and nothing is written in the contract....how much notice am I legally supposed to give.
I have to leave the job. I am so worried about the childrens emotional welfare that I can never get it out of my mind.
I care deeply for them actually and I am becoming more alarmed by what is happening to them
cant divulge anything personal but my concerns are not unique to me. Other people involved with them are expressing the same worries.
I just can't be in the loop and have a good feeling about myself iykwim.

think it will be a months notice - but could be wrong. I don't know much about what you can do re the kids - apart from social services if things are that bad. Can you not speak to the parents or is it more serious than that?

I am around just not able to say too much!!!
Thanks for your thoughts.

Some really odd things going on at the moment

Really need to discuss privately just to get it off my chest

If your contract doesn't say different you only need to give a week.

I would prefer to only do a week.
I'm desperate.....no job but money is not everything

If you're desperate, walk out- there's no way they'd sue you for breach of contract for not working a week's notice.

pell mell are there child protection issues with this job? If so, you need to make sure people are informed.

If you are really uncomfortable, giving one weeks notice is fine since there is no contract.

Typically, you should give 4 weeks after the initial 4 - 8 week peroid.

Give ACAS a call - 08457 474747 - if you want to chat with someone about your rights when terminating an employment contract.
Contracts of Employment: Termination is helpful to read. One section relevant is:
"Statutory rights to notice
Most employees (8) are entitled to at least one week's notice after one month's service, two weeks after two years and an additional week's notice for each complete year of employment up to a maximum of 12 weeks for 12 years' service. An employee must give at least one week's notice after one month's service and this requirement does not increase with longer service."

So from that it looks like you have to give a week's notice.

o.k I'm back. Sorry about the delay.
So if I give one weeks notice I suppose I should not expect my reference to be very complimentory or even forthcoming.
The emotional welfare of those children is concerning me and many others but I'm not at all judging their family. They are not coping

And you leaving is going to help?

Can you not find a way to support the mother or find the help she needs?

oh dear PellMell sounds like a bit of a mess
do you want to leave because you think this family will tarnish your reputation as a nanny?
do you think social services need to be informed?

Would leaving solve this - could staying help the children?

Sounds like a really tricky situation to be in.

I can only echo what others have said - have you informed people if there are child protection issues and is leaving really the best thing to do? Obviously if it's putting your mental and emotional health at risk then it might be the only thing to do, but if you could cope, would you consider staying?

Thanks for your replies
I completely understand those who's first thought is that me leaving is going to be a bad thing for the kids.
I actually have hung around precisely because of this when my gut feeling in the first couple of months was "gosh, this is crazy"
I do have a young child to consider who comes with me. I have to consider all members of both families and actually I don't think I am helping anyone by agreeing to these terms.
It is a fact that some poeple are not maternal/paternal and do not want (rather than can't) spend time with their children and I'm confident that this is the case.
It does have a very emotional effect on me .
When I said I wasn't judging because the family are not coping...I meant that in terms of things like coping with making adjustments to their personal and proffesional lives to accomodate the needs of small children. I was perhaps trying to be kind. No they are not coping, but not in the real sense of the word.
We all have to make choices and I know this is a terrible job for me.
The parents have pretty much no contact with the children beyond occasional half hour befor bed and the drive to day care. I am having problems contacting either parent during the hours I work.
The older child is regressing and displaying clear signs of emotional behavioral problems but no matter how diplomatic I am or try to be in discussing my concerns, I get nowhere.
Infact the pattern is that if I express concern for him at all I arrive the following day to a long list of chores to do which are written in a tone that implies I should shut up and remember I am there to serve.

The day care providers and I have experienced one of the parents lying loads especially about medical information.
Mum has been told her children are ill several times and just not arrived to get them.
A couple of days ago when I had a pre-planned half day off the kids were dropped off at day care without having been booked in. After Mum was told she couldn't leave them there as they were not expected and there and permitted numbers were exceeded, she just said "oh well" and left. the staff said they didn't believe she had left at first. The children became upset and no-one quite knew what to do because Mum did not reply to their phonecall so they rang me to come and get them.

Everyone who knows these children know they are exhausted and unwell (as are many at this time of year) but pinning down the parents and getting them to have any time at home is impossible.
Its painful to witness.
With Mum it's not all about work commitments preventing her from being around...she has a lot of leisure time too. the kids are cared for from 8 till 8 and regularly see Mummy dash in the house and back out...they are left screaming for her.
I am going to resign today.

And yes, there are much more specific details to do with welfare that would concern anyone!
I know that this has been picked up by the childrens other care providers.

How awful PellMell.

I knew a family like that - they had three nannies, day, night and weekend.

Why hte fck some people have kids, I do not know.
s

My grammar is terrible
Where are my paragraphs in that long essay?

Maybe this is the time for me to study...

PellMell

I used to be a nanny and stayed in one particular job purely because of the kids, so I can understand where you are coming from. FWIW now you have explained more I think you are probably right to resign but I can't help feeling sorry for the kids. Their Mum never bothers and now their nanny is leaving them (as they will see it) too.

Hard and sad situation.

NAB I agree with you.
Something I have learned over recent years though.... is that it is not my responsability to rescue everyone.

My own personal life past and present involves having to cope with an enormous amount of extra pressure.

I have resigned and offered to work for two weeks.

I agree. It is so hard when you get attached to the kids.

How did they take your resignation?

PellMell, I doubt it helps but it isn't totally unusual. One of the saddest stories I was ever told was of a little boy in a very lovely, very private and very expensive, pre-school saying, when asked who is your favourite person, "The dog". "Oh, yes?", said this very sweet vicar, "And, why's that?" "Because he is the only person who loves me." The pre-school staff confirmed this was the case and that he was the youngest of four. Neither parent was interested and all the children knew it . It has stayed with me, every since. Do what you have to do. You cannot parent these children. Yes, they deserve better but you have to remain sane, too. Good luck.

I see what you mean now - and I probably wouldn't be able to stay in those conditions either. I hope it wasn't too hard for you.