Claiming nanny costs back as essential worker.

TammyKSafe

Hello forum,
I am about to lodge an application to have my child care costs reimbursed by my work. I was an essential worker on the covid testing pipeline for NHS workers during the pandemic. As a result, my nanny continued to provide support for my child. I was required to come to work and have a letter from my boss stating this.

• I have requested the taxi fares to be paid for my nanny but this was denied. I was advised that paying for a taxi was a choice and not directly linked as an expense as this was my choice. As an employer (myself), I must provide a safe working environment (section 2 Health & safety and at work act). 

Next steps

• claim the costs of the child care as an expense as I was not given the choice to work from home (even though I could) and am therefore out of pocket. Had i have worked from home i would have been able to stop child care and the financial implications of this. 
• I am not claiming any tax credits / tax-free childcare as my nanny is not eligible.

I would appreciate any advice on this matter, even just the right wording for my case

Alter_ego

Well, you gave me a laugh.

silvercar

What childcare did you use before covid?
Why do you think it is an allowable expense for your employer to pay for the childcare you need?
Childcare has always been the responsibility of the worker, subsidised by the state through childcare vouchers/ child tax credits etc if appropriate.

afis1904

Might ask my employer to reimburse my rent because I've been at home more often

silvercar

OP, why did you feel obliged to pay your nanny's taxi fare. Your obligation to provide a safe working environment doesn't include how your nanny travels to work. That is a matter for her. Her work starts when she arrives at her workplace ie your home. I feel your nanny making demands on you has made you feel entitled to ask your employer for some of your costs.

bradders1983

You can tell the kids summer holidays have started.

LilElvis

You had a nanny to provide childcare, therefore enabling you to go out to work, before the pandemic. This was at your cost.
You had a nanny to provide childcare, therefore enabling you to go out to work, during the pandemic. This was at your cost.
Why on earth you would think your employer would be liable for the cost of your childcare, unless it is a contractual benefit, is utterly beyond me.

k12479

TammyKSafe said:
...as I was not given the choice to work from home (even though I could) and am therefore out of pocket. Had i have worked from home i would have been able to stop child care and the financial implications of this.

If you were allowed to work from home you would have been able to look after your child instead?

TammyKSafe

I came to the forum for opinions on the situation many have given these which has given food for thought. Much to many of your obvious objections, I will pursue this matter with my employer anyway.

I am trying to breakdown the difference between what is expected, stay home, save lives, against what was required, attend work, and how this could be legally broken down in terms of expenses.

Everyone was expected to stay home unless they were key workers. Many childcare facilities were closed except a few which could be used.

If I stayed home like 80% of our institute, I would not have any work related expenses, and I would not be a key worker. There would not be a cost to me.

As an essential worker I was required to attend work which included the expense of childcare. I agree, under normal working conditions this is something I am and still are happy to pay.

The discrepancy is between what is expected against what is required; on top of this, one of our partner institutions payed out their key/essential workers a disturbance pay on top of normal salary as having identified this issue I am trying to understand/challenge.

Appreciate any serious advice and opinions too, no matter how offensive.

TammyKSafe

k12479 said:

TammyKSafe said:
...as I was not given the choice to work from home (even though I could) and am therefore out of pocket. Had i have worked from home i would have been able to stop child care and the financial implications of this.

If you were allowed to work from home you would have been able to look after your child instead?

yes, and it was expected/allowed for a reduction in productivity because of this work/childcare balance. This would have been discussed with and controlled by my manager. Other members of my department were in this situation. Where they were unable to work to a certain level of productivity, they were furloughed. 
This was all agreed with my director that the taxi fares would be paid, however halfway through the pandemic, we had a change in director. 
It is my new director who has advised me to apply for the childcare as an expense.

JamoLew

Can i claim my car payments from my employer for the days I've been going to work then ?
The answer is no - as its not my employers responsibility over how I get to work
Seriously it sounds like the new director will be the old director with ridiculous suggestions like claiming for childcare as an expense.