Oh No - I've made a big mistake

[Katymac]

I employed someone on Friday as a childcare assistant. She started today.

I didn't ask if she smoked (in childcare it is usual not too) & she obv does

Two parents have collected and each of them mentioned the smell

She is on a 2 week trial - what can/should I do?

tell her - and ask what she thinks she can do to avoid these comments

sod all I would have thought
If she is not smoking on the premises that is
You could mention that parents have said this and go from there
My mother worked as a nanny, she smoked and never once had a complaint about smelling smoky, so it is possible to avoid the smell

could you ask her not to smoke whilst at work - my nursery did this and the person left of their own accord.

She doesn't/hasn't yet - she just stinks (& so do the children she has cuddled - yuk)

do you have a uniform she could change into at work and change out of when leaving? If she is changing on arrival and departure and not smoking during the day there should be no smell.
Have you a policy re no smoking during working hours? If not, might be worth adding one if likely to be a problem.

Message withdrawn

As a parent with a child at nursery I think you have to say something. You're a service industry - surely there's something in the job descriptions about presentation/appearence/personal hygiene? There is in mine. I know it's a delicate issue but you can't allow her to be making the children smell of cigarettes too. It may not be her that smokes either - perhaps it's her partner/parents/housemate?

DH is going to hit the roof when he gets in - he is severly asthmatic and the smell will set him off

Oh NO
Why me? - I feel such a prat

Would a strong smell constitute a health and safety issue for the children too? - I know it makes me gag but then I'm asthmatic too. Perhaps the changing into clean clothes on arrival is a good idea but it doesn't get around the uncomfortable thing of having to bring it up - I feel for for you, must be very difficult situation - but you are the employer and you need to put you, the kids and other staff first.

I never even thought to ask - i feel so embarrassed

Bit late I know, but I have an application form for any new job, and 'do you smoke' is one of the questions.

Hmmm - yes didn't do an application form

Would I be a coward - if I phoned her tomorrow; sacked her & sent her a weeks wages?

She has worked a day

But she stinks and the parents have complained already

I don't want to lose the children

I think you need to broach the subject with her (come from the DH ashmatic angle if you do want to go down the 'you stink' route) and give her an opportunity to clean up.

But she does 2 shifts 1.5 hrs am and 3.5 hrs pm

Even the hardest smoker could manage to go without that long

But I am sending babies home & their clothes smell

I have now had 3 parents complain - one just phoned up

She can't claim unfair dismissal as hasn't worked for you for a year. So you can sack her.
You could also put through as Misconduct under disciplinary procedure, so she gets a verbal warning, written warning, final written warning and then gets sacked.

I'm not a lawyer, but I can't see how she would be able to take any action against you as employer.
Best to contact ACAS for advice though, they may give some helpful advise, especially if you are wanting her to stay in the job, but need her to change her 'smell'.