What should I do about my cleaner?

[Stargazing25]

Over the past three years, we've had a lovely girl come and do our cleaning. She comes every week and I pay her for two hours whilst I am at work.

I trust her with my house keys and she has been very reliable in the past.

However, recently I have noticed a deterioration in what she has been doing. My husband suggested out of curiosity we look at when she clicked in and out on our house alarm. She obviously isn't aware that we can do this.

It appeared that she had only stayed for an hour and a half on that day but hadn't completed the list I left, claiming that she had run out of time.

Anyway, since then we have got into the habit of checking up on her. The time she is staying is getting shorter and shorter. Today she stayed for just over an hour.

So, how on earth can I bring this up? I feel like we are snooping but at the same time, I'm paying for two hours and she's not doing all the jobs I'm asking. I feel awkward but nevertheless I'm getting increasingly annoyed with the situation. WWYD?

[pinkcan]

I'd just let her go because she has been dishonest.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Could you say you popped home and she wasn't there. Was there a reason you left early, X and would you like to make up the time next time or be paid less but work the two hours I've paid you for today?

I worked as nanny and the cleaner started leaving before her time. Eventually I told the mum. She went out before the cleaner got there and came back after she had gone so she knew instantly she had not done the full time.

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

Stop feeling awkward! She is deliberately taking the piss and knowingly letting you pay her for time she isn't spending doing the cleaning. Clearly she doesn't care about you at all and she is not "lovely"

If you don't want to have the conversation just cancel her altogether and say you no longer need her.

[Stargazing25]

Just say I don't need a cleaner any more? This has crossed my mind.

[Tarrarra]

I think you have to ask outright why the cleaning isn't getting done and tell her that the alarm logs her time in and out and you see that she was only there for one hour this week. I would just be honest and ask...

[Stargazing25]

Thanks! I know I should stop feeling awkward. That's just me!

I like the idea of saying that I popped back. I work very locally.

[Roseberrry]

I'd just tell her what you've said, don't feel embarrassed, it's her that's being dishonest!

"Hello X. I've been noticed you have only been doing 1 hours work while I pay you for 2. I'm willing to give you a second chance as I like your work, please don't fuck up as I can't be arsed to find a new cleaner"

Or something along those lines.

[Stargazing25]

Haha! Rose! Yes, it could be better the devil you know. I trust her in the house, with my dogs.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

What do you mean "how on earth do I bring this up"?

You talk to her about it. Come on!

[PeopleOnTheEdgeOfTheNight]

If she has only been staying for maybe half the expected time, and doing less than the expected list of tasks, then she doesn't seem to respect you. For me that would be enough to let her go. No second chances for someone with so much freedom in your home. You've been coping with her half-time so maybe a break with no cleaner (while you're looking for another) won't be as bad as you anticipate.

She may have once been lovely, but she stopped.

[Stargazing25]

I feel awkward! That's why! I'm not a very confrontational person so that's why I asked....

[LaurieFairyCake]

I wouldn't bring it up with her because I wouldn't want her staying after I'd found out she was lying and cheating me.

Once I'd got my house keys back and she was about to leave I might say something - but probably not as there's no good outcome.

What's the point in dealing with someone lying and stealing your money? You're never going to trust them around your house again.

[Dottydadoo]

I had this same situation and I'm not confrontational really either but I felt really cross that my cleaner was taking advantage as usually we'd have quite a chat if I was at the house when she was there.
That fuelled me ringing her up and being quite assertive - I suggested that as the full 2 hours wasn't being done, let's cut it to 1 1/2 hours. She was quite sheepish really.

You'll have to deal with it though - you can't let it continue so it's either speak to her if you think you want to keep her on or just cut your losses?

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

You trust her in your house with your dogs even though she lies and takes money from you for work she hasn't done? Ok then

[BackforGood]

I would certainly let her know why you are terminating her contract. You don't need to tell her how you know, just say that you are disappointed she hasn't been doing anywhere near the time you pay her for, but if that's the way she works then you are going to have to let her go.
You've got nothing to be embarrassed about - she's the one who has been cheating you

[Stargazing25]

Yes, I do trust her in my house, just not to do the allotted amount of time.

Anyway, thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement (not the sarcastic ones ) I have let her go now.

[DanglyEarOrnaments]

Are you sure she doesn't have a two hour price 'minimum' no matter how quickly the work is completed, this is a norm within the industry, however i've just noted she hasn't completed the agreed work so obviously not.

I just wondered if she mentioned anything about her 'minimum' when she first came to tell you about her services? This could explain the time thing but not that she hadn't completed the full service promised to you.

[DanglyEarOrnaments]

Did she have you sign a contract or an agreement when she first met with you? The terms may be on there but she still should complete all agreed work at every visit.

[2016namechangecomingalong]

Was about to reply as I have had very similar in the past but see already that you have let her go. How did she take it? Were you honest with why you did it? I wussed out once and told the truth once. It is a very tricky situation.

[Stargazing25]

There wasn't any contract. No minimum fee just an hourly rate. It wasn't very official as she was doing a bit of cleaning on the side of her other job.

We became quite friendly whilst I was working from home at one point. However, once I went back to work full time, this issue of cutting corners arose.

I'm afraid I didn't say why I was stopping. Just that we would be saving on the money and that my mum needed the spare key. She didn't have any reason to take it badly as a result. I just don't really like ill feeling. I still like her as a person as mad as that will sound to some of you!

[mylife123]

That case happen sometimes with certain cleaner the things is because she come every week and she thinks that your house is pretty clean and don't need a deep clean. It's up to you but i know some cleaner do the same system when they saw house is not dirty . She want to go to another client and she is just in rush to do her job because maybe she got more money in the other client than you.

[HermioneWeasley]

I've noticed this with loads of cleaners - they start fine and then it slides.

I think you said she's young - if she's young and naive then I might give her the hard word and see if she improves - a valuable life lesson for her.

I woukdnt let her know about the alarm - I would say you popped back. That way you can continue to check up on her.

[Ldnmum2015]

May I ask as you had her three years, did she put her rates up in that time at all? A big mistake some cleaners do is not to ask every year for a pay increase and then become disheartened when they realise that their pay is not worth as much as the year before. In my area, most cleaners only work for a minimum 3 hour/£40 booking, to cover WRC (work related costs) a 2 hour booking is very rarely worth it if you have to travel