My Contract?

[TimeFlys]

My contract does not have an end date or state how long I am due to stay for.

Does this mean I can go anytime?

Giving that i give 4 weeks notice?

In short, yes. It's very unusual for a perm contract to have an end date or minimum duration

Why is that?

Why would a contract have an end date? That would be rather unusual, as contracts don't end until either party terminates it.
I am presuming you are a nanny.

There should be a notice period on it. I think legally you only need to give a weeks notice if it doesn't say otherwise but if you are considering leaving then give as much as you can.
However, given that the contract should really have a notice period written on it (in my view) then discuss with your boss with regard to how much notice you need to give and in-turn how much notice they need to give you if they decide to terminate the contract. ACAS: Minimum Notice Periods

Contracts rarely have an end date unless that is known before the job is started. In one of my nanny jobs each year that came round we marked it was a year, I got a pay rise, I asked if I could stay another year, they said yes, and on we went.

I assume you want to leave?

Sometimes contracts are fixed term - as Fab seems to have had - and can be renewed. Temp contracts are often fixed term and I believe there's someone on here who only emplys nannies fixed term.

Perm contracts are until the job doesn't exist any more, so you are made redundant, or you decide to leave and most jobs/contracts are entered into on the understanding that they are permanent.

I didn't have a fixed term contract.

So why did you need to ask to stay another year? You were entitled to unless they gave you notice. I'll admit I was slightly confused hence the putting 'seems' but normally permanent contracts don't need an employers permission to go on for another year.

It was nothing about permission. I was just noting I had done another year and checking they were happy to have me another year as I didn't want to leave, ever. And didn't. Until they moved.

Ah okay. I interpreted it as you actually had to ask to stay another year whcih would have been weird.

I have been there 5months - and we agreed to a year minimum.
However, I have been offered a really good new job to start next month.
Hmmmmm choices.........

I think that you should stick to what youb have agreed - otherwise your current employers will be mightily cheesed off and may give you a lukewarm reference. I would in their shoes. See threads by various mums on this forum if you are in any doubt about how employers react to that sort of thing. And 5 months is too long to sweep under the carpet in a CV.

There are always greener pastures but you can't keep switching job all the time. Many employers will like to see that you have remained in a job for several years.
Morally it would be wrong to leave in my view. You won't get a great reference and your cv will show that you switch jobs, not remain in jobs long term.

There are always greener pastures but you can't keep switching job all the time. Many employers will like to see that you have remained in a job for several years.
Morally it would be wrong to leave in my view. You won't get a great reference and your cv will show that you switch jobs, not remain in jobs long term.

Think of the karma; you can't just leave for no good reason other than the grass being greener.

I stayed with a job I hated for a year because that is what a good nanny does. I wanted to see the children into full time school then I was gone.

You agreed a year, you should stay a year. What about the job don't you like? Can you change things?

If you hadn't agreed and you were incredibly unhappy I might have a different answer but simply being offered a better job isn't a good enough reason IMO.

And what sort of person tried to poach a nanny from someone else who already has a job and has agreed to a staying period?

How did the job offer come about?

Word of mouth - the Mum contacted me.
And has offered me a top deal (3 days a week live in) £360net only one child, no housework etc etc.

I know it is bad to leave simply for this reason - however things havent really been going well even though its 5 months into the contract.

Im not going to leave as I DO love the children dearly - maybe its time to call a meeting with MB.

I look after 4 children under 4 so my day is very very busy and the children sleep at different times - the MB isnt accepting my routine i have set down for them so I have down time during the day.

I have to do washing for the whole family and cook a meal for MB & DB.

Anyway ill stop moaning.

Thanks for your advice all.

Seems like it's definitely time for a meeting but remember if your MB wants to the children sleeping at different times for whatever reason then it's not up to you as the nanny to come in and change it.

If you are not happy, discuss with your boss. 4 under 4 is hard work, washing mountains do pile up very quickly. Perhaps MB/DB would take on more of the washing, especially their own. With 4 children, I would not expect them to all nap at the same times. I take it you knew there were 4 children when you took on the job.