Moonbeam wrote: » DId she understand the terms of her contract before she started work?
Moonbeam wrote: » Her hours the pay etc?
Moonbeam wrote: » Does she work alot of hours?is she paid fairly for those hours?
Moonbeam wrote: » if she feels like she is being treated like a slave then that is the issue.
Neyite wrote: » Its not acceptable that your wife is ready and waiting to leave for work with traffic building and waiting on childcare to arrive. What if she misses a bus? Or the bus she intends to get is full and passes by? What if the bus breaks down? I'm only getting used to juggling work and creche drop-offs too and my workplace are very unsympathetic to timekeeping issues due to childcare, so I do sympathise. Even if a workplace are understanding, it can cause tension with non-parent colleagues thinking you are taking liberties. If you would prefer to try and repair the relationship with her instead of replacing her could you ask her to compromise in that she arrives earlier in the morning to allow for delays?
Mr.Wemmick wrote: » The whole point of an au-pair is having someone who can be there on call for an emergency early morning or a late evening if needs be, 3 to 4 days out of the parental working week. To say here, that she is entitled to arrive for work after staying out, swap responsibility for the twins on the doorstep, whilst Mum has car keys in her hand and feeling stressed about being late for her job, is not on. An au-pair is part of the family and the responsibility of small children means you need time in the morning to tell a carer that a child hasn't slept well, lost toy or teddy, has had medicine for a slight temp' etc. The whole set-up needs to be run well and all parties need to have trust/respect/good communication with each other and all working together to make the arrangement run smoothly for the benefit of all.
Mr.Wemmick wrote: » An au-pair is part of the family.
doubletrouble? wrote: » she works between 33-35 hours a week
Mr.Fred wrote: » If these are the hours she has been contracted to work then I can't see how you have any say in what she does outside these hours.
Mr.Fred wrote: » Is she up at night if the kids wake, Is there a point at night time where she knocks off as such and the mother takes over.
Mr.Fred wrote: » It sounds like she's expected to work more hours than the ones you've pointed out.
Mr.Fred wrote: » You provide the au pair with accommodation. Is this provided so she is at your beckon call 24/7 or is it to compensate for the low pay she receives?
Mr.Fred wrote: » If these are the hours she has been contracted to work then I can't see how you have any say in what she does outside these hours. Is she up at night if the kids wake, Is there a point at night time where she knocks off as such and the mother takes over. It sounds like she's expected to work more hours than the ones you've pointed out. You provide the au pair with accommodation. Is this provided so she is at your beckon call 24/7 or is it to compensate for the low pay she receives? It sounds like a terrible position for the au pair I wouldn't be surprised if she leaves before you replace her.
Neyite wrote: » If she got her visa based on an Au-Pair exchange then by not residing with the family she might be breaking the terms of her visa. (I dunno, just guessing here, but au-pairs come usually to study the language and the OP has not mentioned any courses the au-pair is doing. )
doubletrouble? wrote: » i mentioned earlier that the hours would be coming down. shes going back to college and we'll be facilitating her with going to college. they study 6 months and the other 6 months are holidays. so 3 months on studying 6 months holiday and the last 3 months back studying. which by the way has just recently started. while i'm getting lamb basted here i'll like to point out something to do with communication the au pair her got days mixed up. one day recently i get up ready for work and she says shes happy i ask why "i'm going to college today" she says. to cut a long story short i had to take a sick day from work so she could attend college.she doesn't know that by the way. also two days later i had a very important appointment, that was also cancelled so she could attend college. again she knew about the appointment but doesn't know why it was cancelled.
CaraMay wrote: » E600 per month, which she probably send the bulk of home to feed a d educate her kids, is v cheap labour. It's cheap for one kid nevermind two. Is gladly take her for that money to mind one kid. I just can't understand how people are stupid enough to p off the person who is home alone with their kids all day.
i had to take a sick day from work so she could attend college.she doesn't know that by the way.
CaraMay wrote: » I just can't understand how people are stupid enough to p off the person who is home alone with their kids all day.
pwurple wrote: » I bet your employer doesn't know that either. That is NOT what sick days are for. Why didn't you take an annual leave day instead of making your employer pay for that one? You've not mentioned an agency. I take it there is none. Your posts are now a series of complaints and moans about her
Ainu wrote: » I dont think what you ask of her is in any way unreasonable! I am a former Au-pair and i would have never stayed out on a "work night". Especially the mornings can be quite stressfull with small children, so it was always important to me to have had enough sleep and be there when the parents left the house.
doubletrouble? wrote: » "Would you have an issue with your boss if he expected you to be in work Sunday night to be sure you're there first thing Monday morning?" to answer this simply. i would love to be able to go out the night before i go to work have a few pints etc but the simple answer is i cant because a simple hint of alcohol off my breath and i'd be suspended the same is if i came into work knackered. my job entails i must have plenty of sleep and be clean of booze. as i said i'd love to go out all night but the simple fact is i know i cant.
Mr.Fred wrote: » You're being ridiculous now. She's good with the kids, she creates tension in the house... You can't have it both ways so stop whinging about it or do something about the situation. If you're not happy with her then replace her with someone else, you seem to love telling us how strict your boss is for some reason.