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AIBU?

Cheeky message from cleaner

147 replies

EllJ · 20/04/2018 11:30

I recently hired a cleaner to do a good clean of the bathrooms and a general hoover and dust round. She seemed nice enough and I thought she seemed trustworthy so we agreed to start her.
We had nothing but problems from the get go... she couldn't work the hoover, couldn't work the steam mop (despite being shown both more than once), didn't move things out of the way to hoover or dust around and just seemed to find a new problem each week. One week, the bathrooms were ignored completely as she "forgot her gloves", despite being told they were our absolute number 1 priority and that she just had to ask for any cleaning materials she wanted/needed.
Anyway, after giving it three weeks in the hope she'd settle in and then receiving a particularly cheeky note after the last clean, we decided not to continue with her. My DH sent a polite and to the point message explaining that we won't need her anymore and can she please return our key.
She has just sent back an incredibly rude message insulting the cleanliness of our home! I'm absolutely fuming and having to really hold back sending a rude message in return, which i know is the wrong thing to do.
Aibu to ask if anyone can help with a well worded message to send in return explaining that the specific items she has complained about being dirty were actually things we were paying her to clean!

Sorry for long post

OP posts:
Lonesurvivor · 20/04/2018 11:34

Get the key back before you send any message.

Paie · 20/04/2018 11:36

"We employed you on the understanding that your job role was to clean our house and the areas that needed more attention were pointed out to you in advance. We have offered to provide any necessary items required to enable you to complete the job role you are hired to do, unfortunately as you have deemed yourself inadequate and unable to do the role we have had to end your contract. Perhaps if a dirty home offends you you should look for a job where the main role is not to clean."

rookiemere · 20/04/2018 11:37

Well I guess it depends slightly. I wouldn't expect the cleaner to clean poo from the toilet or wee on the toilet seat, so if it's been left with those, then I'm with the cleaner. If not then yes she was being very unreasonable.

Furano · 20/04/2018 11:38

No need to engage. Just say it’s not sorkkkg out and you no longer require her services.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 20/04/2018 11:39

“I’m so sorry that you haven’t found that our home meets your exacting standards of cleanliness. We had hoped and anticipated that we were to have someone to clean those the areas you mentioned. Perhaps you did not feel able to do that. It seems therefore, that we are in agreement that it will be sensible for us to part ways.

As soon as you have returned our key, we shall not need to trouble you further.

Regards
Mrs EllJ

bonnyshide · 20/04/2018 11:44

Ignore and don't engage. She was unprofessional from beginning to end.

UnimaginativeUsername · 20/04/2018 11:47

What kind of cleaner ‘forgets’ their gloves? Honestly, they’re basic equipment for the job.

Do get your key back and then ignore her. She’s clearly not cut out for cleaning as a job.

InsomniacAnonymous · 20/04/2018 11:49

She sounds incompetent and as thick as a brick. Just get your keys back and then send whatever message you like.

bonnyshide · 20/04/2018 11:51

'Thanks for your input, we expect the house will be a lot cleaner once we hire a decent cleaner! Please return the key by the end of the day, Thanks'

iloveruby · 20/04/2018 11:51

What did her message say?

MsVestibule · 20/04/2018 11:51

Just don't engage with her at all. What's the point in getting into a person who is clearly unprofessional? Will it make you feel better?

SoupDragon · 20/04/2018 11:51

Forget the key and change the lock.

LovelySouffle · 20/04/2018 11:53

No need to reply and get the last word in. She's gone, you've asked for your key back. Job done... or not done in her case Grin

Juells · 20/04/2018 11:55

I wouldn't bother engaging - though I'd be steaming - would just want my keys back. Might change the locks though.

dustyparadeground · 20/04/2018 11:55

Get your key back and ignore her. She might be bonkers. And if you are at all concerned change the lock regardless of whether the key is returned or not

kikashi · 20/04/2018 11:57

Just get the key back or change the barrel and let it go. You can't gain anything by getting into an argument with her. An apology will not be forthcoming. Let it go...

UnimaginativeUsername · 20/04/2018 12:01

Yes let it go. And reflect that she probably won’t be in the house cleaning business for much longer, because she’s unprofessional and lacks the basic skills to succeed.

I think sometimes people think that cleaning is something that anyone could just start doing. But, as you’ve found, it requires knowledge, skills, equipment, organisational ability, customer service skills, diplomacy, and so on. She seems to lack these, so will presumably struggle to build up and, particularly retain, a client base.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/04/2018 12:03

I’d want to say. “I totally agree, my house is filthy since you started cleaning it.” But I don’t think it’s worth engaging.

peacheachpearplum · 20/04/2018 12:04

Reminds me of my husband complaining about the poor job done when he had his valeted. Their reply? They said well it was dirty. So I assume they only want to valet clean cars and your cleaner only wants to clean house that are clean. I can't quite get my head round it.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/04/2018 12:04

And change the locks if she had a key!

Trinity66 · 20/04/2018 12:06

'Thanks for your input, we expect the house will be a lot cleaner once we hire a decent cleaner! Please return the key by the end of the day, Thanks'

This one Grin

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 20/04/2018 12:07

I like bonnyshide's message best, short & to the point & might just get through to the cleaner what you actually employed her for. She really is in the wrong job if she cannot work a hoover.

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Pinkvoid · 20/04/2018 12:10

You need the key back. I wouldn’t trust leaving the house unoccupied until that happens or you change the locks. She sounds slightly unhinged.

TodayImThisName · 20/04/2018 12:10

Why bother with sending a note. I'd ignore the snarky comments completely and ask for the key again.
It's a waste of time and energy to give this any headspace.

LangCleg · 20/04/2018 12:20

"Thanks for the feedback. Please return our house key immediately."

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