Is it reasonable for babysitter to take extra £15 for taxi home but then just get the bus?

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

DH and I are having a 'discussion' about what and how to pay our new babysitter. A friend pays her £10 an hour (North London though the going rate is £7-8/hr) and for that she puts the baby to bed and does cleaning etc etc and insists on getting the bus home later. I just want her to sit and watch my TV.

I would rather she gets a taxi home than the bus for obvious reasons. DH says we should give her the cash for a taxi and leave her to it BUT that would mean her walking down the road to exactly where she would get the bus and to be honest, the bus would come before a taxi, so I personally think we should either put her in a taxi at our front door or agree that she just gets herself home. DH is furious saying that I am now dictating how she spends that extra money and it's up to her if she gets a bus home. I personally don't want to give her an extra £15 for her to get the bus as it then puts her hourly rate sky high and I have no idea if she's safe or not. What do you think??

im afraid i agree with your DH.

i would rather she took a taxi but if she is happy to get a bus then that's her affair

Call her a taxi and pay the Driver. Where did you get one that cleans? I can't even find one I trust to leave with DD let alone go cleaning my house whilst I am out!

I should add that her age makes a difference. If she is over 18 then she is her own keeper and if she wants to get the bus then that is her business.

How old is the babysitter?

TBH I wouldn't offer taxi fare if old enough to take bus home at night. For most jobs you don't get your transport to/from work paid after all.

I'd want to put her in a licensed taxi as I'd feel responsible for her getting home safely.

But tbh it depends on how old she is - I'd feel a different level of responsibility for a 17 year old than a 35 year old

She's mid 20s and I agree that I can't dictate how she gets home but I just don't want her to pocket the £15 taxi fare at our expense. It's the difference between paying her £40 or £55 for a night. If we get back at 11:30 - midnight then we should be offering a taxi shouldn't we?

If you can't agree, split the difference with your DH and let her decide how she spends the money inc how she gets home.

I am so glad I don't have to pay for babysitters. I am not sure we'd ever go out if you have a £50 bill before you even start!

Last time we paid her the sitting time plus travel time to and fro (20 minutes or so )rounded up - she drove herself but would have paid taxi instead of travel if needs be.