Have to let nanny go - need advice on letter

[BafanaBafana]

We are going to have to let our lovely nanny of a year go this week, as our circumstances have changed (long story).

We are going to sit her down for a proper chat, but I'd also like to have an official letter to give to her to make sure it is all above board - but have NO idea how to word it? Should it be brief and businesslike? Should we go into our reasons for letting her go (no reflection on her, she has been great)?

And is there anything else I need to consider? Anything else I should be doing?

Any advice would be great, thanks.

Speak to ACAS - they are quite helpful - also they have lots of info on line including guidance on redundancy letters. As long as you are not employing another nanny and don't do again for a while, unless your circumstances change again, you are unlikely to be at risk. She will not be entitled to redundancy as she has not worked for you for more than two years.

I would keep the letter brief and business-like, just hand it over at the end of the chat.

Dear XXXXXX

We are writing to give you xxx amount of notice to terminate your employment with us as our circumstances have changed. Your last day of work will be xxxxx.

Something about how much you appreciate all the work she's done, what a fab nanny she's been and how sorry you are to see her go.

BafanaBafana

Do promise her a stunning reference and ask around for anyone wanting a nanny to help her find a new job. If you feel like sharing your reasons then do so in the chat but there's no need for it to be in the letter - you can put the reason on a written reference if you want.

She'll probably be shocked when you tell her. I've cried buckets every time I've been told a family is moving, mostly from the shock.

Agree that the letter should be brief and business like. It's just to confirm last day of work, so that if necessary it can be shown to the JobCentre as evidence that the job ended rather than the nanny left.

Provide a written reference and also provide contact details so that you can be used for a verbal reference.

Arrange for final payslip to be done as soon as practical and P45. Provide any notice pay which is due under the contract. HMRC: Employee Leaves

Keep in mind that you will need to keep operating PAYE for a bit longer - even though it will become a zero return. I can't remember how long for... someone else may know. Contact your payroll administrator or HMRC Employer Helpline for advice regarding payroll things you need to do.

I agree. Keep the letter brief and business-like. But, I would (briefly) note that you have been happy with her performance and the job is (sadly) ending due to your circumstances.

Thanks all. I did a brief letter as suggested and we had a long chat this morning. It was really hard . I just felt so bad. She is really lovely and it is totally down to a change in our circumstances that we are having to let her go. Is there asnything else I can do to make it a smooth transition for her? She has a month's notice to work, but I said we can keep her on ad hoc for another month after that (just going on a week by week basis, if she hasn't found anything else).