Should I e-mail my nanny to sack her?

[Blueskythinker]

My Hungarian nanny e-mailed me out of the blue 2 1/2 weeks ago to say she had to return to Hungary for urgent dental work. She was supposed to be back on Tuesday 18th, and didn't appear for work. Nor did she appear yesterday. We have had no contact from her at all, despite us e-mailing and telephoning her.

I don't think we are ever going to hear from her again, but do you think I should e-mail her to tell her she is dismissed, just so that there is no doubt? My DH says this may just give her ideas about messing us with possible legal consequences. She only worked for us for 4 weeks.

Yes, just in case.

I have no legal knowledge btw. Perhaps you need to get some quick advice to cover yourself.

No.

If she shows up, claim you sent emails anyway. Send a letter to her uk address if you must. You tried to leave messages and she's messed you about.

I admire your restraint in not emailing a trojan tbh.

I would seek advice first (can you speak to the legal team at Nanny tax?). But would suggest you simply email her to confirm that due to her no-show, despite written confirmation that she would in fact be with you again from 18th March, that you take it she has quit the job and you are happy to accept that.

Then the onus is on her, the written trail of events show you to have acted in good faith and her no show shows her to be unreliable.

Send a letter registered mail asking her to attend a meeting with you, at which her failure to attend work will be addressed.

When she doesn't show, send further letter asking her to attend.

Hold dismissal meeting in her absence (obviously you won't really!) then send letter confirming dismissal.

There are lots of websites outlining the dismissal procedure, but the above should do it. Don't use email unless you don;'t have an address for her.

If she has only worked for you for four weeks then you can sack her...and tbh you have good grounds too....you have tried to contact her and she has a duty to inform you when she will be back....she really has left you with little choice.

I was going to just post the word "No"

But having followed your posts, in your case i think yes

It depends on how long she has been with you. If more than a year I would follow llareggub's advice - if she shows up for the disciplinary meeting, explain that not attending work is gross misconduct for which she is sacked. If less than a year I would simply email her and tell her she is dismissed.

Oh, and change the locks if she has a key.

Yes email yer.

Has she left any belongings? If so then send her a polite email stating that you presume she has decided to quit her job and can she confirm this and please let you know what she wants you to do with her belongings before you throw them all out in the rubbish. State that you will be happy to forward them to her.

That way if she ignores you then you are in the clear. If she is stupid enough to reply with a UK address you can drop a line in the post to her new employers, enclosing an ummm, 'reference' (and send belongings to AP without stamps of course).

If she hasn't left any belongings, then just email her pretending you have found 'something' of hers. And send her a pair of old knickers.