COVID-19: Can I furlough my nanny?

With the current global health crisis surrounding COVID-19, many families will be wondering where this leaves them and their nanny. Up and down the country, employees are being furloughed, with 80 per cent of their wages being paid by the government. But what about families who employ household staff? Can a family furlough their nanny? How does social distancing come into play?

Social distancing measures implemented by the government are a huge consideration. And, rightly so, parents are worried and confused about what these social distancing measures will mean for their childcare arrangements. Are you even allowed to employ a nanny still?

The Financial Times has investigated the matter, explaining that if a family has a live-in nanny, that yes, they can still stay on in their childcare role: “If your nanny lives with you, she or he can continue to look after your children in the usual way, say lawyers. Where it gets complicated is for families with a live-out nanny.”

The Financial Times reports that as a nanny can not do their work from their own home, they are allowed to travel to you. Of course, considerations should be given to how they get to your home and how you can help them do so in a safe manner that protects both the nanny and your family.

The FT explains that just because a family is technically permitted to have a nanny in the house, that does not necessarily mean they should. If one or both parties are uncomfortable with the arrangement, arranging for the nanny to cease working is the way forward.

If the nanny is sick and therefore can’t work, statutory sick pay should kick in as under any normal circumstances. That doesn’t mean you can’t continue to pay them in full if that is your decision.

But can the nanny be put on furlough?

Yes, they can. If you or your nanny decided that you do not want to continue the working relationship until this crisis is over, putting them on furlough is an option until the end of May 2020. As the FT, explains, this is provided that they are paid through the PAYE system and were employed before February 20, 2020, and will cease all work during their period of furlough.

The government has put together a grant that will cover 80 per cent of an employee’s wages (up to £2,500 a month) and this includes those working as nannies. Be mindful, however, that as an employer you will not receive the rebate until May.

You can read the full report and interview with employment lawyer Kathleen Heycock over on the Financial Times website.  

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