Don't know what to do

**samd35** · 09-01-2009, 07:06 PM

I am meant to be having a 3 year old start with me this coming Monday. for 4 days a week. All contracts have been completed and signed etc way before Xmas, mum and child came for a play yesterday. Today I got a phone call from the child's father to say that not too sure if mum will be starting work, basically mum is going to be working at the company dad works at. He said she may do just three days now or leave it for a couple of weeks.
He wanted to tell me before weekend because he didn't want to mess me around. I am fuming, I have told him that the contract begins Monday and then its four weeks notice to terminate as we agreed and what is in the contract. He said he would get back to me by 6pm to let me know for definate what is happening.
NCMA were closed so was unable to get any advice.
I never took a deposit, I could kick myself.
Don't know what to do, if they put it down to 3 days , I'm thinking they may still mess me around or not pay.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sam

**berkschick** · 09-01-2009, 07:39 PM

Poor you!

I would stick to your guns, 4 weeks notice to terminate or amend contract.

I dont get how these parents are able to chop and change their hours last minute at work like this!

**rickysmiths** · 09-01-2009, 07:44 PM

If the contract was done to start today they should be paying you.

The moral is folks ALWAYS ALWAYS take at least a 2 week deposit even if they start the same day then you should never be out of pocket. I have never in 14 years had a problem with deposits. We are running a business not a charity.

**samd35** · 09-01-2009, 08:01 PM

The start date was for this monday.
I know, I will always take a deposit in future.

x

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 09-01-2009, 10:44 PM

Use it as a learning curve and I am sure next time you will take a deposit

Personally I put a settling in period on my contracts to make way for exactly this type of situation

I would say though that in my experience 3 days would turn back into 4 and then 5 in time.

If they come back for 3 days state that the rates are different and up each day by £3 and then you will recoup some of the 4th date and then if they come back again for the 4th, lower it again

**mabel** · 09-01-2009, 11:05 PM

It is annoying when people mess you about,
I guess it depends whether you have ffered this place and turned away
other customers?
I have experience some parenst who have messed me about in the beginning
to turn into great clients.
....and it could be the company messing her about

as long as you are not turning work away, I would keep your options open

**samd35** · 10-01-2009, 08:30 AM

I have turnt quite a few places down due to having contracts signed and thinking all is okay.
I have received a text this morning to say that her partner has said she can't start work at all.
I've learnt my lesson.

Sam xx

**devoncm** · 10-01-2009, 09:20 AM

Oh Sam thats a shame, i still say what i did last night, get the months fees thats owed to you even tho they havent come if thats what it says in contract, tell them that you have turned others away as you thought everything was ok to start monday, had they have let you known sooner you would have been able to fill the space and they wouldnt have to pay the fees.Hope you getas many calls next week as you did this week.xx

**miffy** · 10-01-2009, 09:24 AM

Did the dad come back to you Sam?

Miffy xx

**samd35** · 10-01-2009, 09:25 AM

Thanks Marie, I'm sure it will sort it self out.
x

**samd35** · 10-01-2009, 09:29 AM

No, he didn't so I called them last night, I have been worried about it and didn't want it dragging on over the weekend.
I spoke to the mum, it seems he was telling her one story and me another.
Anyway I said to her last night I would like to know where I stand by 10am Saturday
Got a text this morning at 8am to say the dad has told her she cannot start work at all now and that she is really sorry as she was looking forward to returning to work.
I haven't replied . I want to talk to NCMA on Monday.
Mu hubby says just to forget it, don't fight for the 4 weeks notice, as it could give me a bad name. He is too soft but can see what he means.

xx

**Lottie** · 10-01-2009, 09:47 AM

Oh sorry to hear that

I would be really annoyed if that was me. Personally if you haven't worked for them,contract not started, I would not pursue the 4 weeks this time and just leave it as a lesson learnt. Not because it will give you a bad name but because it can get really stressful. But I would be very tempted to pursue it!
Always ask for a deposit in future, even if it's two weeks at least it covers you.

**Lottie** · 10-01-2009, 09:51 AM

One more thing...Is it possible to contact the people you turned down for this contract? One of them may still be looking for childcare.

**samd35** · 11-01-2009, 11:58 AM

I have rang back one of the enquiries, I have mum visiting Monday morning, so thats good.

x

Pipsqueak · 11-01-2009, 11:05 PM

I would be tempted to (out the generosity of my heart of course) tell them that you are entitled to pursue the 4 weeks money in lieu of ending the contract - which is a legally binding document but then offer to accept 2 weeks payment instead.
Don't forget that there is a "cooling off" period within the contract.

**emmadines** · 11-01-2009, 11:37 PM

I got caught out on this one!! Ive never been self employed so I am still learning. I had a contract signed and as it was a yound couple I decided to allow them to give me the deposite the day befpre the lil one started. the dad apparently got made redundent which I do wonder if was true but then you never know. I got them to sign a form stating that I was not responsable for cancilling the tax credit thing as they had my numger (it was for my peice of mind if anything.

take it as a learning curve!