Can I pay my stepson to do some garden work for me or would that be breaking the rules?

[FreshEggs]

20 yr old stepson was working in a factory doing carpentry piece work until last summer. He was furloughed during the first lockdown but laid off in August and has had no work/income since. We have helped him out with some cash, bought him boots etc.

We have some garden jobs (pergola, fencing, deck repairs) that he could undertake and we would happily pay him, but would this be breaching the lockdown rules as he is family? DH would obviously love to see him as we haven’t seen him since September, let’s not pretend otherwise, but he would definitely be paid a fair rate and the jobs do need doing.

The work would be undertaken outdoors except for when he needs a loo break etc. DH and I are both frontline workers working outside the home so we would be the ones most likely to be carrying any virus.

What would you do? I just don’t know. Happy to wait a few weeks as well.

Yes, that would be ok. Work is allowed, albeit your stepson that’s doing the work.

Is it essential that you get your pergola done?

Whether there is a loophole or not, it would add unnecessary risk for him and for you. Much as you might be v tempted to do this, the right thing would be to wait until we are not in a lockdown

None of it is extremely essential, no, but he is struggling without any money at all, although he lives with his mum it is a long time for a 20 year old to go without being able to buy anything for yourself at all.

Maybe we can give him some money and he can do the work later in the year, although I sincerely hope he’ll have a job before long.

I'd do it. The work may not be essential for you, but the money is to him.

I'd do it too.

Do it. Win win for everyone!

My next door neighbour has had their step son working on their garden for months after he lost his job. They pay him and he has totally transformed it. He has also done loads of other outdoor jobs for them. I have never considered it a problem. He is working outdoors on his own

Yes I would do it, if he is not earning then yes, paid work is allowed.

I would do it. I'm very unwell at the moment and totally unable to walk unaided let alone keep on top of housework. I've employed my mum as a cleaner once a week with a fair hourly rate. We both wear a mask and use lots of hand sanitiser and we stay 2m apart. I know it's probably breaking the rules but I need the help and she needs the pay.

Ask him to bring a flask rather than make him drinks, distance as much as possible, but it doesn't matter who does the work, it's allowed and if it's in the garden it's relatively low risk. It doesn't have to be essential, people need to make a living and often aren't receiving much government support.

I would as he is outside , I had to have a new kitchen sink fitted and a broken bathroom fan fitted indoors yesterday, they had masks , I wore a mask and stayed in another room and left window open in room they were in and left open for a while after they went. Wiped everything down.
Outside I would of been less worried but just stayed in whilst they did it.

I would just do it. I believe it's allowed and it's also relatively low risk if its outside.

Of course he can do the work, you have a job that needs doing and he can do it. Doesn’t matter that he’s family. As long as he sticks to outside and isn’t tempted to eat lunch with you inside it’s fine.

You are happy to wait so suggest you do.

It's within the rules so I would, no different to me hiring a contractor or having a cleaner

Yes. You want work doing he is an available and a tradesperson (carpentry), it made lead to him being offered other work by neighbours (maybe) in their gardens. I'd go ahead. Win win

As long as you treat him as a gardner and not a social visit where there's chatting and hugging going on inside, it's allowed.

People are allowed to work whether or not it's essential, as long as it's not in an industry that's required to close (hairdressers, restaurants, indoor activities).

I am surprised so many people think this is a good idea.

It's allowed, it's not illegal and it sounds like a great idea.
Tradesmen are still allowed inside homes, let alone outside and the work does not have to be essential. Decorators, joiners, electricians and not just for emergency.
My gardener has been working throughout. He comes to do my garden occasionally and just gets on with it. I pay him online so we don't actually have any contact.

I would do it

@SausagePourHomme

I am surprised so many people think this is a good idea.

Why? He’s lost his job and needs the money

I would but look in to any potential injury insurance/self employed/tax etc implications if technically employing his services xx
Is he alone could you bubble too

Can he work at home - putting up pergolas etc ? He cannot. Therefore he has to work on site in your garden.
The bit about essential work is a red herring.

I mean technically it's legal but it is just a way of getting round the rules isn't it. It increases yours and his risk of catching coronavirus. If he's desperate for money but your job isn't urgent why not pay him in advance and let him do the work after?

My 19yr old ds was laid off from his carpentry full time job in october. Has now managed to get a few gardening jobs to keep him going for now.
If he can get to the garden without coming through the house then definitely yes.