Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
TheThreeMiracles · 27/04/2025 12:34

Shouldn’t even question it it’s not her fault pay her the full amount

Whoarethoseguys · 27/04/2025 12:34

She turned up and was ready to work it's not her fault she couldn't get in the House, of course you should pay her the full amount. She will be relying on her income.
Surely if you turned up at work bit couldn't get in through no fault of your own you wouldn't expect your pay to be reduced

Lucyccfc68 · 27/04/2025 12:33

Full amount, an apology and a bunch of flowers.

Senzaunadonna · 27/04/2025 12:32

Surely this is a reverse?

SpringGreenOnion · 27/04/2025 12:31

I think it’s crazy you even need to ask. A brilliant cleaner you don’t want to lose and it’s not their fault they couldn’t get in to do their job. They were inconvenienced and their time was wasted. You need to pay them the full amount.

faerietales · 27/04/2025 12:30

You pay her in full.

Or are you the cleaner and this is a reverse?

JMSA · 27/04/2025 12:28

Pay her in full. And next time give her her own key.

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.

NeverHadHaveHas · 27/04/2025 12:25

Of course you pay them. Where do you think she is going to magic the money she lost through no fault of her own? You realise she has bills/mortgage etc? she isn’t cleaning your house for shits and giggles.

persikmeow · 27/04/2025 12:25

WaltzingWaters · 27/04/2025 12:11

Yes in these circumstances pay her the whole amount. I thought you were going to say she couldn’t get in because she forgot her key or some way she was just being a bit ditsy and couldn’t figure out how to get in, in which reduced or no pay would have been appropriate. But as this was completely not her fault in the slightest you need to pay her the full amount.

This!

CautiousLurker01 · 27/04/2025 12:23

She arrived to work. Pay her in full.

In future have two door keys in the key safe so that if one is not replaced, there is still another.

Cornoffthecob · 27/04/2025 12:23

Definitely you pay her the full amount. Then get your friend to reimburse you as it was her fault she couldnt get in. If you want to keep the cleaner do the right thing. If you dont she might not be back.

whoisit1234 · 27/04/2025 12:23

Can't believe this question is even being asked

Onleemoi · 27/04/2025 12:22

Mad you have to ask!

pinkyredrose · 27/04/2025 12:22

Why on earth would you even consider not paying her the full amount?

CherryBlossom321 · 27/04/2025 12:20

Many people say they value their cleaners, but they really don’t.

KittyKat2824 · 27/04/2025 12:18

The full amount of course.

But really interested in why you think any less than that might be an option?

TeenLifeMum · 27/04/2025 12:18

If you cancel or there’s an issue at your end you pay in full. If cleaner cancels you don’t pay.

Butchyrestingface · 27/04/2025 12:18

It's hard to believe this is even a genuine question but then I think of (some) people I've met in real life.

Hotmess101 · 27/04/2025 12:17

I wish I could afford a cleaner. I wouldn’t treat them like shit on my shoe, that’s for sure 🙃

PhilippaGeorgiou · 27/04/2025 12:15

Mortally you are required to pay her in full. Legally you are required to pay her in full. So there's no debate to be had really. Can't believe you think she shouldn't be paid in full - you / your cat-sitter are responsible for her being unable to work and wasting her time.

mynameiscalypso · 27/04/2025 12:14

For about a month, we didn’t need our cleaner’s full number of hours because half the house was inaccessible. We still paid her the full amount though because we value her and her time. It wasn’t her fault that she couldn’t do the full clean, it was our choice and so it was only right that we paid.

ruffler45 · 27/04/2025 12:13

You have to ask?

AgnesX · 27/04/2025 12:13

Your fault completely, why should she be penalised.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 27/04/2025 12:13

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

Swipe left for the next trending thread