[Martin]

Our current housekeeper is self employed, and submits an invoice to us for the hours worked.

We're at the stage where we need occasional extra help, but not on a fixed and regular basis.

What's the score with employing someone on a 'casual' basis? Would they still qualify for benefits such as holiday and sick pay? We're quite happy with the tax and NI part - that's already in place for ourselves.

We're not trying to exploit anyone, and we actually pay very generously, but if we did have a load of other responsibilities then this would need to be factored into the pay scale.

Advice please?

Thanks,

Martin.

[Sharpe]

My advice is not to employ anyone for more than the LEL Lower Earnings Level. They don't qualify for sick pay or maternity pay. There is an 8 week rule if sometimes they work more than the LEL (£97 per week). As long as the average over the last 8 weeks is less than that, you don't have to pay statutory payments. For a small business, statutory payments can be very harmful.

[grockles]

My cleaner (6 hours per day 4 days a week) doesnt drive and uses the bus to get to work. 4 miles. However she is traveling 26 miles on public tansport for some maternity appointments. These are in the middle of the day. She is currently taking the whole day from work to get there. Is it reasonable to be expected to take the whole day or would it be reasonable to expect her to use a few hours holiday up on this day also. Say 3 hours.