Cleaner - am I being unreasonable???

[fraggle73]

my cleaner is mum of 2 boys, in the past she has been very good and reliable, she went off on at leave and had her boy 9 months ago. She came back to work after 6 months and brings her baby boy with her whilst her eldest is at school. I dont mind her bringing her little boy whilst she cleans. She may be here for 2.5 or 3 hors but she only charges me for 2.

Her oldest is now on school holidays and her mum helps out to look after the kids. She has let me down twice before in the last 4 weeks and when I text to ask when she is available I never hear back till the day before or on the day. My oh thinks we should get rid of her as she is not reliable, but I can sympathasise as she is a mum too. Not sure what to do
I was going to carry on and once school hols are over, make it clear to her that I need someone every week on this day and this time and if she cant commit then I will have to find someone else.....is that too harsh???

[clueless1]

I dont think it is harsh at all. You are saying the lady, she is doing a job, not a favour. You need a reliable person.

[clueless1]

I dont think it is harsh at all. You are saying the lady, she is doing a job, not a favour. You need a reliable person.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

YANBU.

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

She has been good and reliable in the past, she's probably not quite coping at the moment. She charges you for only 2 hours and she stays more. You are getting a bit of a bargain there. I doubt you'd get anyone who can commit to the exact day & time you need them, perhaps not even an agency, and they'd charge you the full cost. I'd say discuss it with her but careful of tone ("get rid"?).

[FreePeaceSweet]

Hmmm, it sounds like a "casual" arrangement that you only tolerate when it benefits you. If you want it to be more professional and business like then tell her so. At least give her the opportunity to do things your way. This should work both ways with her being paid for the work she does. I do wonder how much money you have saved due to her generosity? Your next professional cleaner may staunchly work to rule with little or no flexibility. To me it sounds like she appreciates the flexibility, is it possible you gave her the impression that this is ok with you? How about telling her that as long as the job is done by a certain day then how and when she does it is up to her? She sounds like a star and the arrangement you have sounds pretty good to me.

[fraggle73]

She doesnt clean for 3 hours, she stays longer because whilst cleaning she stops to feed her son or comfort him if he is crying. If she does any extra cleaning ie half an hour, she always tells me and charges me for it.

[babycham42]

If she does a good job,that"s the key thing.If she does,and it sounds like that isn"t an issue I"m sure you can resolve this.I think FreePeaceSweet has the right idea - as long as the job is done by when you need it doing then perhaps there"s more room to manoeuvre.Perhaps when she does let you down she could come another day instead? I think maybe you could tell her it would really help you if you knew with a bit more notice when she can come.Remember,she knows you and how you like things doing and as she has a history of being good and reliable it seems worth staying with her to me!

[fraggle73]

She is a good cleaner, she was due to come this week and I havent heard from her at all. I have rang her and left messages. I am hoping she comes tomorrow morning. I think I just need to know in advance when she is coming so I am not hanging around every day waiting for her!

[babycham42]

That is completely reasonable fraggle73.It must be pretty frustrating.And at some point there must be a limit,because you need a commitment so you can run your own life.Wish you well!

[fraggle73]

If she turns up tomorrow I will let her know that I need her to come every week on this day, time is not a problem. If she cant commit to it, I may have to let her go. I have visitors tomorrow so have done a quick clean myself today!