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Original poster

cold stew and microwaved fishfingers

40 replies

tanzie · 13/01/2004 20:59

I came home from work early today to discover nanny giving children cold chicken casserole - that was it, straight from the fridge to their plates. I was furious and suggested that she heat it up. She just said "They like it cold" and carried on, whereupon I said "Please heat it up. The weather is cold and this is their main meal of the day and I would like them to have hot food." She did, but she wasn't happy about it. Last week I caught her microwaving fishfingers "because it's quicker". I told her to either grill or fry them, but I know she is taking absolutely no notice as DD1 told me. Am I being unreasonable? She also didn't bother clearing the table, just plonked their supper on top of the painting they had been doing. And it's all still there now...

OP posts:
Gilli · 18/01/2004 21:39

Tanzie - just thinking of you this weekend: hope you've been able to decide what to do...

Original poster
tanzie · 19/01/2004 22:16

They had cold stew again on Friday according to DD1.
DH and I have discussed (do I sound like the Queen) and will have more words tomorrow.

E-mailed a friend today and told her I was thinking of getting rid of nanny, and she said that she never seemed to do anything when they were staying except sit on her a*se and read "Hello" magazine.

OP posts:
JanH · 19/01/2004 22:24

tanzie, can you really not just get rid? Seems ridiculous!

JanH · 19/01/2004 22:25

Which country are you in btw?

annh · 19/01/2004 22:37

As you seem to be certain you can't get rid of her, how much longer do you have to put up with this awful woman? When is her maternity leave supposed to start? Can you make her start earlier on the basis that she is not coping with her job? Presumably, if her work permit runs out in June you don't have to reapply for it and once she goes on maternity you never have to see her again? Or am I missing something? Sorry for so many questions? Oh and just one other one - what nationality is she?

Original poster
tanzie · 19/01/2004 22:40

No, I really really can't just get rid. I think what we will do is have (another) talk to her tomorrow about not doing what she is supposed to, feeding DDs cold food and say that we do not expect her to do anything heavy or difficult while she is pg, but we do expect her, as per her contract, to look after DDs and keep the place reasonably clean and tidy (at least tidy up after the children or get them to help tidy up). We will see how it goes in the next month, if she gets no better, the replacement nanny works out and would like to stay, we will get rid then. If replacement nanny doesn't work out, and she gets no better we will advertise for another one.

Am in the EU (being wet I'd rather not say where, think I would be easily recognisable a) from my nickname and b) from my problem!)

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 20/01/2004 09:15

Surely being forced to keep an incompetant employee is against your rights somehow? Bizarre!

Surely if the baby arrives early, you can be rid of her earlier as her mat leave starts. Lets hope for a swift (and safe) delivery!

Tinker · 20/01/2004 09:46

dismissal whilst pregnant

tanzie - found the link attached, don't know if it helps. I know the law is there to protect women being dismissed because they are pregnant but since it would not be for that reason I'm not sure why you couldn't do it. Sorry if I've missed something obvious that's been explained before.

aloha · 20/01/2004 09:56

But suppose she was stealing from you? Or hitting your kids? Or drinking gin on duty? You couldn't fire her then? It doesn't make sense!

Original poster
tanzie · 22/01/2004 21:58

By chance I met someone that she cleans for on a Saturday, and he told me that he is sacking her as her work has deteriorated. She claimed for 6 hours cleaning last weekend, but he said she hadn't touched the kitchen or bathroom and had only ironed three shirts (single man...). So I really don't think now that it has anything to do with me. Came home at lunchtime today - DD2 asleep, nanny slumped on sofa with her face in Cosmo, breakfast stuff still on the kitchen table. Am praying for an early and safe delivery, followed by swift sacking. Got new nanny's work permit notification through today which cheered me up no end

OP posts:
popsycal · 22/01/2004 22:07

tanzie - have you tried contacting citizen's advice bureau to find ot your rights?
advice is free

popsycal · 22/01/2004 22:07

make that citizens' advice bureau
sorry being pedantic!!!!

Original poster
tanzie · 22/01/2004 22:25

Popsycal - I am a pedant too
No CABs here - not in UK

OP posts:
popsycal · 22/01/2004 22:28

oh right - sorry not been listening properly....where are you?

Original poster
tanzie · 22/01/2004 22:33

NW Europe - somewhere a bit more clued up on employees' rights (is that apostrophe in the right place? gulp...) than UK.

But I am British
Mostly...

OP posts:
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