When you advertise for a non-smoking nanny, would you accept one who smoked but not smoked when working?

[nannynick]

I've been wondering about this for a while... smoking is I feel frowned upon these days, particularly when it involves people who work with children. Many nanny job adverts request a non-smoker. But I expect there must be some nannies around who do smoke... though they don't smoke when working.
If a nanny applied for a live-out job which specified a non-smoker, how would you deal with it if the nanny then said they did smoke at their home.
I am wondering what parents feel is meant by non-smoker.

How should this be phrased in the Gross Misconduct section? If the employee is found smoking while on duty, that I feel could be grounds for Gross Misconduct. If they were found to smoke while not on duty, could they still be sacked under Gross Misconduct?

Should point out that I am a non-smoker, have never smoked and I expect never will smoke. So I am rather anti-smoking.

AtheneNoctua - I said that too - about it being against the human rights of the family to have to breathe in the smoke, but it got me nowhere. Believe me though, I tried!!

I think the job centre is mistaken. In fact, I would ask for legal documentation to support their claim.

what if an applicant wasn't a smoker, but her OH, who she lived with/stayed with occasionally smoked, thus meaning she would run the risk of possibly smelling of smoke, through no fault of her own? I'm on a bus on my way to Corams Fields so indulge my hypothetical silliness please!!

I'm wondering something similar missiesparkles, as my flatmates smoke and I don't. I'm up and out before they get up in the mornings though. I don't think I've ever smelled of smoke, at least no one has ever mentioned it.

I certainly wouldn't expect you to have control over your flatmate's actions. Stinky clothes are not nearly as bad as sitting down and smoking in front of the DCs.

But, I would probably ask you not to bring my kids back to your flat.

that makes sense, but then what if I stated I was a no smoker, then when it got to the Interview I smelt of smoke? if I were to go on the basis of earlier replies, I'd be branded a smoker/liar as you'd prob be able to smell smoke on my clothes

id be able to smell your flatmates smoke on you. houses where people smoke indoors just do smell of it. it permeates everything. you prob dont even notice it anymore - the base level of stale smoke that is, im sure you can smell a lit fag

i dont think that would put me off a really good nanny. if already emplyed esp. but an average to not great nanny would no doubt have me thinking that they do smell of stale smoke, in a not partic positive way.

missie - yep, id think you were lying . unless you offered explanation i guess... but i think dp would assume you were lying.

I have to say I'd have thought that you'd assume that I was fibbing, which could explain why it took me a while to find a job!! I don't smoke, my boyfriend does, but only inside his room/on the balcony as his flatmate is fiercely anti smoking. but obviously I spend time in his room+we share clothes (well I steal them lol) so it looks like this may have worked against me maybe? I have always stated I am a non smoker+have never really given thought to my boyfriends smoking but maybe other people have!!

MotherOfUBERBoys - And I'd like to think I was a really good nanny.

Our first nanny was a smoker but claimed she wouldn't smoke during working hours. Our neighbours then saw her pushing DD in the pushchair and smoking and, I have just learned this w/e even though the nanny has now been gone for nearly a year, she would pop out for a fag during toddler groups, leaving DD with a mate for a bit. She did this in front of my mother, who didn't think it was important enough to tell me about . We only hire people we are really sure aren't regular smokers now - I am not convinced it is realistic for someone who is a regular smoker not to pop out for a fag break during at 10 hour day. Okay, maybe some people can but I wouldn't bother risking it, all things considered, in a permanent employee. There's no way I wouldn't ask, by the way.

We still put in the contract, no smoking during working hours (even though it should be IRRELEVANT with non smokers). So, would I consider it gross misconduct if an employee does this -- absolutely. DO I care if the nanny has a fag(s) at a party with friends? Not at all.

good point missiesparkles and rahrah

my hubby smokes - disgusting habbit imo - i am pretty sure my clothes/hair etc dont smell of smoke and I am very over zealous with plug inns etc in my house

I have non smoker on cv and it has never been queereied

my charges do pop back to my house every now and again - with mb permission - they love seeing where i live/sleep etc, and both mb and db know that hubby smokes - but he would NEVER smoke with the children there, will ALWAYS go out in garden

sometimes db smokes after a few drinks!!

I feel my nanny can do what she likes in her free time. However, she's very conscientious and I highly doubt that she smokes outside work. She mentioned in interview that her mother was a smoker and it put her off them! She came in smelling of smoke once to babysit on the weekend and I asked her about it (friendly like) and she said she'd just been in the pub. Totally believed her, no issues. Plus, my son was in bed so it's not as if he was going to be affected - and I don't believe the smell lingering on her jacket that night would've harmed him.

A mum friend that lives up the road totally disagrees and said her nanny said she didn't smoke, then another nanny SAW hers pushing her child in the pram & having a fag! Without even checking with her nanny (or smelling her or otherwise trying to find evidence) she sacked her immediately. Of course...this mum also will never give her baby phones to play with to distract her whilst changing a nappy or otherwise (and refuses to let anyone else either) as she says the waves emanating from the phone will harm her daughter's brain

I would never take my charges to my house anyway!

I have a live in job atm, but I have a sep basement flat. The ad said non smoker, which I'm not+when my boyfriend comes around, he is not allowed to smoke in my flat, or even near the house, I make him walk a few minutes up the road. Obviously this is out of respect for my employers wishes+also, the little girl I look after loves coming down to my flat+having a nosey around so it wouldn't be fair on her iyswim?
This thread has got me thinking thou, I wonder if I do in fact smell of second hand smoke??!

This is so sad about smoking.
What about the children of smokers, they don't get a choice at all.
My DD1 best friend's mum smokes a lot and when he comes over to play he stinks of smoke because it just pervades the house.
He is off school a lot as he gets a bed cough when he gets a cold and it can last a long time.
His granny lives with them and she chain smokes as well.
Everytime they go out in the minibus she always has a fag in her hand.
Maybe they may get put off for life about smoking. I know i was, my mum always smoked 20-30 a day and now she has demetia she a actually smokes a fag every 30 minutes and she regularly stays awake for 24 hours (part of her illness) so she is smoking in excess of 48 fags a day!
But the sick thing is...she had a checkup at the hospital and they say her lungs are quite clear.
Basically, it's my Dad i'm more worried about because my Mum just puffs, she does not inhale...everyone else does!