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Original poster

Should I have paid my cleaner when she was unwell?

56 replies

JMSA · 23/02/2025 18:48

I have a cleaner who comes to my flat for 3 hours every fortnight. She's great and I value her. Always pay on time, always have the place tidy for her (as to leave it messy would be disrespectful), always give her a lovely Christmas present, am flexible with her, always realistic in my expectations, etc.
She let me know on the day of the clean that she wouldn't be able to come this week. She wasn't feeling well. Obviously I told her not to worry, to rest up and get well soon. I also messaged her the following day, to check on her (not with a view to the cleaning, purely out of concern!). She didn't reply. I didn't pay her for the missed clean and I'm wondering if she's annoyed at this.
It goes without saying that I would have her over another time, at her convenience and whenever she feels better. But I have to wait until my usual slot a fortnight later, as she doesn't do this. Naturally I have to clean the place myself in that case, as it can't wait another two weeks.
Should I have paid her, or is it part and parcel of being self-employed?

OP posts:
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Q2C4 · 24/02/2025 20:50

I don't because I'd worry about the tax implications - sick pay is the sort of thing an employer offers, not something a self employed person usually gets.

Original poster
JMSA · 23/02/2025 23:00

PaintCatsPaint · 23/02/2025 21:30

Also self-employed here. If I don’t work it I don’t get paid for it. You’re not being unreasonable not to pay. You’ve been understanding, and shown concern, which is more than most would do. Don’t worry about it.

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
LoveBluey · 23/02/2025 21:43

andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead · 23/02/2025 18:56

Do you get paid when you're ill? I do.

Nope, I'm not self employed but my company only does statutory sick pay which doesn't kick in until day 3 of sickness so if I take one day off I don't get paid.
So no I wouldn't pay a cleaner or any other self employed trades person if they cancelled and didn't fulfil the service for which I was paying.

PaintCatsPaint · 23/02/2025 21:30

Also self-employed here. If I don’t work it I don’t get paid for it. You’re not being unreasonable not to pay. You’ve been understanding, and shown concern, which is more than most would do. Don’t worry about it.

MidnightPatrol · 23/02/2025 21:23

I don’t think you’re obliged to pay her.

But… if my cleaner was ill I would probably pay her anyway.

I’m conscious they have no holiday / sick pay, and she is a good employee so I am happy to do so.

If it were a regular occurrence I might change my tune.

I also pay when I go on holiday, she’s good and I think it demonstrates respect for her - she’s very loyal, I don’t doubt this is part of that. She will be flexible if I need her to also, so I think all parties happy with the arrangement.

Londonrach1 · 23/02/2025 21:00

No. I'm self employed...you don't get paid when you are ill. Just how life is. You over thinking this

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 23/02/2025 20:58

Yes I would and I have. I also paid when it was covid and she couldn’t come. Why? Because cleaners aren’t exactly rolling in it and it’s the right thing to do. No you don’t have to but if this is her job and she has been with you for a long time why don’t you value her enough to cover her when she is I’ll?

I’m sure I’ll be in the minority and that’s fine.

PassingStranger · 23/02/2025 20:43

pilates · 23/02/2025 19:37

No of course not. One of the pitfalls of being self employed.

How strange.

If people want cleaners, then they are going to.be self employed.
People need self employed people.

BubblinTrouble · 23/02/2025 20:41

No but I asked mine to come another time that week. Usually she comes every 2 weeks. That way she didn’t miss out and our place was clean too.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 23/02/2025 20:37

Have you paid her the other times.
If so, she may have expected you would do that this time.
I agree it's not good to set up that expectation

Eldermilleniallyogii · 23/02/2025 20:29

I don't know what the answer is but I'd hope she can come another time to do the clean and then you'll pay her but with regards to the text she may just not want to text with you when she's off sick. If she's you're cleaner presumably you're not also friends?

insomniaclife · 23/02/2025 20:25

I am very generous to my cleaner. I pay over the odds, and for 2 weeks over Xmas when she doesn't clean. But even I don't pay when she is not well.

SalfordQuays · 23/02/2025 20:02

andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead · 23/02/2025 18:56

Do you get paid when you're ill? I do.

If you booked a man to mend your broken fence, and he cancelled as he was ill, would you still pay him? Then pay him again when he came and fixed it?

Onlyvisiting · 23/02/2025 19:58

andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead · 23/02/2025 18:56

Do you get paid when you're ill? I do.

No, because I am self employed, which it appears this cleaner is.

Jk987 · 23/02/2025 19:57

She's ill! That's why she didn't reply! Give her a few days and all will be fine.

Original poster
JMSA · 23/02/2025 19:52

pilates · 23/02/2025 19:39

So if your hairdresser cancelled through illness would you still pay her?

Well, no, but I don't tend to see her every fortnight.

OP posts:
pilates · 23/02/2025 19:39

So if your hairdresser cancelled through illness would you still pay her?

pilates · 23/02/2025 19:37

No of course not. One of the pitfalls of being self employed.

julia08 · 23/02/2025 19:37

No obligation to pay her, but good cleaners are hard to come by and personally I’d consider giving her a bit extra next time she visits to keep the goodwill

Original poster
JMSA · 23/02/2025 19:35

Fair enough. I can see both sides. If I were one of the 'my cleaner has cancelled once in 5 years' brigade, then I would pay. But she has cancelled a few times in the couple of years she has worked for me - not ridiculously so, but definitely more than once or twice - so where do you draw the line, I guess.

OP posts:
BusyExpert · 23/02/2025 19:33

JMSA · 23/02/2025 18:48

I have a cleaner who comes to my flat for 3 hours every fortnight. She's great and I value her. Always pay on time, always have the place tidy for her (as to leave it messy would be disrespectful), always give her a lovely Christmas present, am flexible with her, always realistic in my expectations, etc.
She let me know on the day of the clean that she wouldn't be able to come this week. She wasn't feeling well. Obviously I told her not to worry, to rest up and get well soon. I also messaged her the following day, to check on her (not with a view to the cleaning, purely out of concern!). She didn't reply. I didn't pay her for the missed clean and I'm wondering if she's annoyed at this.
It goes without saying that I would have her over another time, at her convenience and whenever she feels better. But I have to wait until my usual slot a fortnight later, as she doesn't do this. Naturally I have to clean the place myself in that case, as it can't wait another two weeks.
Should I have paid her, or is it part and parcel of being self-employed?

she is self employed so no. She hasn't replied because a, she may be feeling ill still or b she had other plans and used illness as an excuse and will feel guilty

either way ignore it and carry on as before.

Gongpostal · 23/02/2025 19:33

I'm a cleaner and no I don't expect to be paid if I'm unwell or if my client is and has to cancel, we try and reschedule for the same week or do extra the next time. Don't worry about it

No33 · 23/02/2025 19:31

I pay my cleaner if she cancels, but she has only done so once in 18 months.

She's great, and I think it's a small price to pay to support her when ill.

nirishism · 23/02/2025 19:27

I’m on fence. Clearly no legal requirement to do so but I would pay my cleaner if unwell the odd week. Just seems like the right thing to do.

Original poster
JMSA · 23/02/2025 19:27

@Chonk
Aah, yes, I see what you mean. Thanks for that.

And love your username. It's my nickname for my 23 year old Grin

OP posts: