Expense babysitter costs to employer

[MammaMia12345]

Part of my role involves evening networking

There are days that my husband is also out and so we need a babysitter for the 3-4 hours I'm out with clients.

Wondering if it would be reasonable to expense the babysitter's cost to my employer (in the same way as I would expense the taxi home etc)?

Anyone out there have experience of doing this?

Check your expense policy. Mine would not cover it (networking with clients is seen as furthering your own career at least as much as firm interests) plus my work would expect my husband to step up (in our case he near always does- SAHD). A taxi is needed regardless of family circumstances whereas a babysitter is not. The babysitter stage is short in the context of your overall career.

I don't think that's standard practice. I doubt your employer would pay. If they did, it would be taxable.

Wouldn’t be possible in my job - it would be explained that you either knew networking in the evening was something you’d have to do when you began the job/had children or something changed in your expected tasks and you accepted the change

Doubt it. I have an evening work event tomorrow and no chance could I expense childcare.

I have done this with previous jobs, but only when the evenings have been definitely outside of my standard work hours - basically, I was doing them a favour. I'm not sure any employer would agree to cover childcare costs when it was an expected part of the job.

If it is an expected part of the job, then I wouldn't expect them to pay, anymore than I would expect them to pay a colleague's CM or Nursery or wrap around school care fees.

If they were asking you as some favour, for a one off 'thing' that might be different.
If it isn't part of the job, then you wouldn't have to do it.

Is this not part of your normal job then?

Employers don't pay for 9-5 childcare, as they shouldn't as it's your choice to have children, why would they pay for your childcare simply because your work is in the evening?

With regards to your husband. If he's out socialising and you can't afford a sitter, then he has to cancel it, work comes first. If he's out at work, is he intending to claim childcare expenses too?

I would check your policy. Sometimes my husband can claim for childcare if he's expected to go on a work trip last minute and cancel annual leave for it. Doesn't happen often though.

No my employer wouldn’t pay, just like they wouldn’t pay for nursery.

It's part of the job; they're not going to pay for your childcare.

You say it’s part of your role
In which case you shouldn’t expect your employer to pay for childcare at any time

If it's part of your normal working pattern then no of course you can't.

I had an employer with very enlightened policy (would pay actual costs of receipted additional childcare required because of need to work outside normal pattern - eg different day when part time to attend a course or a team event) but even they wouldn't cover normal regular part of duties just because it included evenings

Perhaps your DH could see if he can alter his work pattern, or claim from his employer if the requirement on him is new?

Well I doubt it and you would be taxed. They may inc43ase your wage slightly though.

Will your husbands employer pay half and yours pay half? I am assuming he is working during that time.

If he isnt working and just out doing g his own thing, it's really going to come across as you taking piss expecting them to pay so your husband can have some free time.

Well I doubt it and you would be taxed. They may inc43ase your wage slightly though.

As an employee i would be pretty pissed of if colleagues were getting pay rises based on whether or not they had children. I do not expect to do the same amount of work for less money because my uterus doesnt work properly

No you pay for childcare.

@Toomanyradishes

Well I doubt it and you would be taxed. They may inc43ase your wage slightly though.

As an employee i would be pretty pissed of if colleagues were getting pay rises based on whether or not they had children. I do not expect to do the same amount of work for less money because my uterus doesnt work properly

If you want a pay rise, ask for one.

If covering expenses for work events, is to costly (whatever the reason) speak to your employer. They can only say no.

Don't think the reason matters tbh.

No way should you expect this. Can you imagine the precedent this would set?
It's not your employer's fault that your husband isn't home.

If the hours don't suit just go and find another job

*If you want a pay rise, ask for one.

If covering expenses for work events, is to costly (whatever the reason) speak to your employer. They can only say no.

Don't think the reason matters tbh.*

I agree anyone can ask for a payrise and that the reason shpuldnt matter. I disagreed with the original post which seemed to imply the reason would matter i.e. they would give her a payrise specifically because she had children.

Many thanks to you all - I decided to ask my boss and was surprised /delighted that they have agreed for me to expense the babysitter’s cost.

I doubt it will be a regular thing as I have far fewer evening work events than my husband so don’t anticipate too many diary clashes in future, but I feel lucky to work for a supportive company.

Lesson learned - if you don’t ask you don’t get :)

You'll be expected to pay tax for it though. Your employer should put it on your p11d as a taxable benefit

they would give her a payrise specifically because she had children.

I didn't imply that at all. I said she could ask. They might increase her wage to cover it. Someone else could tell them they can't afford travel to these events and they could do a wage increase rather than pay expenses. Nowhere did I say they should do this or should only do it because its childcare.

Its an expense. Doesn't matter what the expense is, you can always ask. As op did. Employer can deal with it how they see fit.