Salary rates

[rac1984]

Hello all! I'm a full time nanny, but soon I will only be needed part time. However, the family I work for have asked me to help with their business. Tasks include bits and bobs of everything really- book-keeping, helping prepare food (they run a catering business), taking photographs for brochures, company website etc. Apart from the taking of photos (studied to GCSE and AS level), I am currently un-trained at all of the rest. My salary is smidge over the minimum wage but I wanted to know if I should expect or ask for a rise or at least a review as my job description wil be changing. They are also my friends, so I find it difficult talking business with them anyway, and don't want to take advantage as they're a new business but don't want to be taken advantage of either! Any advice??? Thanks

[bednobs]

te way i read it, they are almost making up a job for you so that you can still be employed full time (unless you are going to be replacing another general office dogsbody?)
if this is the case there are 2 ways of looking at it
1) they like you a lot therefore asking for a raise might be ok
2) they are making a big effort so you still have full time work, therefore why are you asking for a raise? Its not like you'll be doing trained work. Also, what fools spend more on their office dogsbody that they do on the person they rely on for the safety and well being and bringing up of their children?

I would be more inclined to think 2 is the way to go

[thugulike]

The fact that they are friends makes it more difficult. I would ask for a written job description at least and I would expect to earn more when I was capable than I did when I was a trainee. It would be reasonable to ask them to undertake to raise your salary after a period. This could be written into your contract of employment which they must issue to you. If you're going to be working in the office this could be your first task. Make sure that any staff have contracts of employment and all policies, ie disciplinary and grievance etc are written and available.

[rac1984]

Thanks for your replies.
Bednobs- it seems a bit of both. They have always said that they want to keep me full time no matter what (they have no-one inc family to help and reply on), so yes they are making up jobs to keep me f/t. They are a new business (18 months ish), and I am their only employee (no office dogsbody!) but they obviously look to employ a whole team eventually so they can sit back and reap the rewards so to speak.
thugulike- I'm pretty sure they've mentioned that I will get an updated contract and job description, so I'm not too woeeied about that.
So do you agree that I could ask for a review (inc salary if possible) in say 6 months, after they've shown me the ropes etc and been on a beginner's book-keeping course? Is this reasonable?

[saxy_jag]

You don't say whether you live with family or not. Obviously that would make a big difference to your salary.

For what you're being expected to do, though, in my neck of the woods (East Midlands), I'd expect around �12000, considering you're not experienced or qualified in most areas of the job. That's if you don't live in and assuming you get no perks such as free meals, uniform or a car.

[rac1984]

Hi saxy_jag. No I don't live in. I get part of my mileage paid (12p per mile) but it's not classed as a company car. I don't have a uniform, but do have lunch with the children included. I'm also from the east mids but just find it fustrating still being on minimum wage. Especially as have childcare qualifications levels 2 & 3, and I guess the photography AS level counts a little maybe? Though I think this bit would only be seasonal. I get �11,500 per annum so after tax & NI I pocket �9,700. I've worked for them for 18 months now and my employees/friends had hinted when I started that a review should/would be done after a while but nothing was set in stone. as I've said before, think the rose tinted glasses have been removed and they're finding it harder than they expected. I love my job and the family I work for so don't want to jepordise, but can't help but feel like I should be getting a little more now. Have you got any more advice?