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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to pay cleaner half wages if they couldn't get in.

237 replies

couchparsnip · 27/04/2025 12:03

We have a brilliant cleaner who we don't want to lose but I am not sure what the done thing is here and what she would consider fair.
She was due to clean last week while we were on holiday, so we have a key safe so she can get in.

Unfortunately my friend, who was feeding the cat, forgot to replace the key in the safe. So my cleaner arrived but was unable to get in. My friend was at work so couldn't come round with the key.
I need to compensate the cleaner for her wasted time but do I give her the full 3 hrs or 1.5 hours.
She probably spent 15 mins trying to get in and phoning me plus travel time of about 30 mins there and back.
She's employed by an agency and I pay her directly. The agency provides cover if she's sick etc.
Should I cover what she was expecting to earn or just compensate for the wasted time plus a bit extra?

You are being unreasonable - pay her the whole amount
You are not being unreasonable - pay her half

OP posts:
commonsense61 · 27/04/2025 12:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Mickeychampionwhatgoodami · 27/04/2025 12:57

The husband is an idiot
Stump up and pay the woman.

Hoppinggreen · 27/04/2025 12:55

It wasn't her fault she couldn't clean so you need to pay in full

Middlechild3 · 27/04/2025 12:55

couchparsnip · 27/04/2025 12:03

We have a brilliant cleaner who we don't want to lose but I am not sure what the done thing is here and what she would consider fair.
She was due to clean last week while we were on holiday, so we have a key safe so she can get in.

Unfortunately my friend, who was feeding the cat, forgot to replace the key in the safe. So my cleaner arrived but was unable to get in. My friend was at work so couldn't come round with the key.
I need to compensate the cleaner for her wasted time but do I give her the full 3 hrs or 1.5 hours.
She probably spent 15 mins trying to get in and phoning me plus travel time of about 30 mins there and back.
She's employed by an agency and I pay her directly. The agency provides cover if she's sick etc.
Should I cover what she was expecting to earn or just compensate for the wasted time plus a bit extra?

You are being unreasonable - pay her the whole amount
You are not being unreasonable - pay her half

Full pay, she doesn't work for you for fun. It was her fault access was blocked.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 27/04/2025 12:55

FFS. She tried to keep up her end of the agreement. Just pay the woman what she is owed.

ThisWOMANWontWheesht · 27/04/2025 12:53

WTAF? Do you think she cleans for fun? She needs her wages and it’s YOUR fault she was unable to do the job she usually does very well.

Unbelievable you needed to ask.

ETA just seen your update. Ask your DH how he’d feel to have his pay docked for someone else’s error.

Original poster
couchparsnip · 27/04/2025 12:53

I think I worded this wrong and made myself look like the idiot! DH thinks we should just pay for her wasted time, I think we should pay her in full. I will show him this poll and do what I wanted to do. Thanks x

OP posts:
luckylavender · 27/04/2025 12:52

couchparsnip · 27/04/2025 12:03

We have a brilliant cleaner who we don't want to lose but I am not sure what the done thing is here and what she would consider fair.
She was due to clean last week while we were on holiday, so we have a key safe so she can get in.

Unfortunately my friend, who was feeding the cat, forgot to replace the key in the safe. So my cleaner arrived but was unable to get in. My friend was at work so couldn't come round with the key.
I need to compensate the cleaner for her wasted time but do I give her the full 3 hrs or 1.5 hours.
She probably spent 15 mins trying to get in and phoning me plus travel time of about 30 mins there and back.
She's employed by an agency and I pay her directly. The agency provides cover if she's sick etc.
Should I cover what she was expecting to earn or just compensate for the wasted time plus a bit extra?

You are being unreasonable - pay her the whole amount
You are not being unreasonable - pay her half

Why on earth would you pay her less? Not her fault

Bingbopboomboomboombopbam · 27/04/2025 12:51

Why would she be penalised for your mistake?

Baffling.

Lilactimes · 27/04/2025 12:50

Without a doubt she is owed the full amount.

Notsandwiches · 27/04/2025 12:50

Full payment. None of this is her fault.

chattyness · 27/04/2025 12:50

It wasn't her fault, did you really need to ask? Pay up in full.

PruthePrune · 27/04/2025 12:49

Course you don't have to pay the full amount, after all she's only a cleaner...🙄

NestOfWipers · 27/04/2025 12:49

Clarinet1 · 27/04/2025 12:10

Pay the cleaner and charge your friend?

You can't charge your friend!!

Your friend is doing you a favour looking after your cat while you were on holiday, she made a mistake and it's unfortunate, but you can't charge your friend 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

@couchparsnip I don't blame you for thinking maybe you didn't need to pay her the full amount as the house wasn't actually cleaned, but it's not her fault she turned up to do the cleaning & couldn't get in. She couldn't really do anything else with the wasted time & she may be relying on the money for bills or food shopping (she might not be either we don't know) but short story is she turned up to work and was unable to work, for reasons well outside of her control so yes, you need to pay her in full!! Apart from that good cleaners are hard as hell to find, so I wouldn't risk piss pissing her off!! (are the cleaners from the same age agency aren't necessarily as good)

faerietales · 27/04/2025 12:49

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:45

I would assume that OP doesn't have an employment contract with cleaner.

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That doesn't mean she can't do the decent thing.

london111 · 27/04/2025 12:48

Of course you pay her the full amount! Frankly you sound awful for even asking this question.

ilovesooty · 27/04/2025 12:47

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:44

But she didn't. Is OP employing her on a long term contract or paying for services rendered ?

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It's irrelevant. She couldn't render the service.

skyeisthelimit · 27/04/2025 12:45

I think in those circumstances it should be the full amount. If I cancel a chiropractor appointment on the day, I have to pay the full £50. It's the same principle.

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:45

Nanny0gg · 27/04/2025 12:44

So she's lost wages through no fault of her own and you think half is 'generous'?

Glad I don't work for you

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I would assume that OP doesn't have an employment contract with cleaner.

IkeaJesusChrist · 27/04/2025 12:45

Full amount surely, why are you even asking?

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:44

ilovesooty · 27/04/2025 12:42

Not her fault she couldn't physically clean.

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But she didn't. Is OP employing her on a long term contract or paying for services rendered ?

Nanny0gg · 27/04/2025 12:44

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:26

I would say half given she hasn't actually physically cleaned and also had further spare time to herself. She's not your employee, you are paying her for a service so half is generous.

So she's lost wages through no fault of her own and you think half is 'generous'?

Glad I don't work for you

ilovesooty · 27/04/2025 12:44

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:42

I wouldn't be happy if I was an employee and I would be in the right. However, if I was on a zero hours contract I would be resigned to it. Also I would have some free time to look for more work.

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And how is she supposed to clean someone's house and earn money at that moment in time?

LizzieBananas · 27/04/2025 12:44

Pay her in full and take it out of any money you were going to give your friend for cat sitting.

faerietales · 27/04/2025 12:43

JifNtGif · 27/04/2025 12:42

I wouldn't be happy if I was an employee and I would be in the right. However, if I was on a zero hours contract I would be resigned to it. Also I would have some free time to look for more work.

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She's not on a zero hours contract.