Coronavirus

Obviously, this is a worrying time for all, and we hope this information from our partners at Nannytax helps both nannies and their employers. They are available to help, so if you need anything please email subscriptions@nannytax.co.uk

Below is some important information, drafted on March 16th and subject to change, that everyone should be aware of -

Nanny being sick/self-isolation

If your nanny has been advised to self-isolate, then she/he will be entitled to 14 days statutory sick pay. Under the new budget, statutory sick pay will begin from day 1 not day 4. Currently up until the 05.04.20 the rate is £94.25. From the new tax year, the rate changes to £95.85.

To help small employers, the government will reimburse these 14 days statutory sick pay. This is only for illnesses related to the coronavirus.

Family being self-isolated

If any family member has been advised to self-isolate, then nanny will need to be paid full pay

What if nanny comes to work ill

Nannies should be told that if they do display any of the symptoms that they need to contact their GP or the NHS 111 service.

In the situation where nanny is displaying symptoms, however the GP does not certify the employee as unfit for work, there may be grounds for briefly suspending them on precautionary grounds, which is likely to be on full pay.

Annual Leave

You may also find your nanny cancelling her/his holiday if they were planning to travel to infected areas, or falling ill while on their annual leave. As an employer, you should be sympathetic to these requests and allow them to cancel without losing their entitlement, and if an nanny falls ill while on annual leave, they may be entitled to claim that time off as sick leave and gain back their annual leave entitlement.

However, families do have the right to tell nanny’s when to take their annual leave if they need to.

If a family does decide to do this, they must tell nanny at least twice as many days before as the amount of days they need people to take.

For example, if they want to close for 5 days, they should tell everyone at least 10 days before.

This could affect holiday that nanny has already booked or planned. So the family should:

• explain clearly why they need to do this
• try and resolve anyone’s worries about how it will affect their holiday entitlement or plans

Remember, there is an implied duty for both families and nannies to look after each other’s health and safety, this duty must include complying with self-isolation advice so no one else will get infected.

We work very closely with our lawyers, and we are aware things can change. We will of course keep you up to date with any other information as and when we receive it.