Question - advertising a temporary full time nanny position with poss to go perm..

[2sonmum]

Hello,

I am hoping somebody with some experience of doing this or one of the lawyers out there may be able to help me....I would like to post an advert on a childcare website for a temporary nanny position to cover my current nanny's maternity leave. I would like to make it clear that there is a possibility that this position could become permanent after a 6 month period (nanny's confirmed mat leave) but I am not sure if this is allowed? We have advised our nanny that we would not accept her baby back at work with her so there is a good chance that she will not come back.

Can anyone give me some advice?
Many thanks in advance.

Yes it's allowed, so long as the current nanny is the one who decides whether or not she comes back.

But it might give your current nanny the hump if you don't explain to her that you are doing it and that it is your fall-back option just in case the nanny decides not to return (and not that at some point you will compare the two of them and decide which one to keep)

Thank you very much! I will explain it to her as you suggest - good idea....! I am never all that good on the tact front so thanks for the pointer!

Bear in mind that your existing nanny could decide to extend her maternity leave to up to a year (plus holidays) provided she gives you notice whilst she's off. So don't promise to the new nanny that you'll know at six months.

I'd agree with squiffy. Advertise it as maternity cover, with the potential to go perm if you nanny decides not to return.

FWIW, I suspect you are totally right that she won't want to come back if she can't bring her baby.

unless you think it will make it easier to recruit a temp by offering it as a possible permanent position i would be inclined to stay silent on the topic at this stage. any half decent nanny will be able to work out that if your current nanny doesn't return there's a chance of a permanent job anyway. the risk i can see is that your nanny doesn't return but you don't like the maternity cover enough or you find a better nanny in the next 6/12 months. whilst you might not be legally obliged to offer the role to the temp it will make for some very awkward conversations if you don't and she was expecting it.

Thanks RibenaBerry and MrsWobble! MrsWobble - I suspect you're right, I will add it to my lengthening list of 'awkward conversations' to come!

Many thanks all