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AIBU?

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More WWYD - Cleaner has damaged property

28 replies

PatsyDarrling · 10/12/2024 23:56

First time poster, long time listener... Sorry this might be a little long.

Been with our cleaner for 6 years. She's excellent, really personable, good price. Couple of hiccups along the way but always sorted them out.

For context we suspect (but can't prove) that within the first few months of starting she chipped a (new) ceramic sink in our kitchen (it had just been redone).

Since she has come back after maternity leave 3 years ago we have had to mention a few times her time keeping (turns up at 10 past but leaves before the hour time). Sometimes it can amount to as much as 30 mins less. However, house has always still been clean so not been as a bit consideration compared to if cleaning was being skipped. I rely on her cleaning weekly due to the hours I work in my role and the pressures we have as a family with one child with additional needs.

My husband is a total introvert and hates a weekly clean (he keeps saying move to fortnightly). My worry in a house of dh, 2 ds and I, is that they "tidy" and I "clean". Fortnightly not an option (he thinks bleach only needs down a loo once a week 🙄). I say that more to give context on why I'm not relying on his view alone thank looking for LTB advice (he's wonderful other ways, just doesn't notice the 'full" house clean).

Current issue... I have literally just discovered a beloved Christmas decoration has been irreparably damaged. Heavy duty statue that a significant proportion has broken off. It could have only happened by being dropped from a height. Accidents happen, but I'm more annoyed that our cleane has not said anything. 99% sure it's happened when cleaner was in (double checking before texting tomorrow).

More a WWYD?? I think because of continuing relationship through COVID, she had a pregnancy loss, maternity leave and then raising small kids, I feel a bit torn as we have had a close relationship. Husband wants to terminate contract if it's her and she's not said. I just felt sad about my family statue.

AIBU if I terminate her contract?

OP posts:
Endofyear · 11/12/2024 00:34

I think you can ask her about it but I would do it face to face if possible. Could it have been one of the children though? If she denies it, there's not much you can do about it as you can't prove it was her.

p1l1l · 11/12/2024 00:32

She had to be pulled up on not working 30 mins out of an hour. She sounds like a piss taker. 2 suspected breakages which she hasn’t said anything about. I’d sack her and I’d do the cleaning between you and h. The house does not need to be spotless. The bog doesn’t need bleaching all the time. It doesn’t matter if there’s a bit of dust.

jeomeollibyeoldul · 11/12/2024 00:31

i'd move on from the sink thing tbh. it's a sink. it's a workspace. it will be fairly heavily used. if its not her chipping it, it will be someone else.

the statue is a bigger issue though. i would ask her politely and as neutrally as possible if she knows what happened to it. give her a chance to confess? anyway, you have children, so maybe it could have been them that did it too?