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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:
CamillaMacauley · 27/04/2025 12:13

Can’t believe you’re asking this. If you turned up to your job, prepared to work and there was some sort of issue with the building or the IT system and you couldn’t work would you be happy to be docked a day’s wages? What if that meant you couldn’t pay your rent/buy food that week?

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.

Moveoverdarlin · 27/04/2025 12:11

Full amount. Her time was completely wasted. It’s not like she could take on any other work.

McSpoot · 27/04/2025 12:11

She kept that slot open for you - you owe her the full amount.

Thewholeplaceglitters · 27/04/2025 12:11

Definitely in full. No debate.

Mischance · 27/04/2025 12:10

Of course you pay her! - she has a living to make like everyone else! She kept her end of the bargain and turned up for work. The fact that she was not able to do it was not down to her.

Imagine turning up to an office job and finding it locked so you could not get in, then finding you had been docked pay for it at the end of the month!

I cannot imagine why you might think it is OK to not pay her the full amount!

Clarinet1 · 27/04/2025 12:10

Pay the cleaner and charge your friend?

LaurieFairyCake · 27/04/2025 12:09

Full amount. This is all on you.

if I turned up to work and couldn’t get in the building I would not expect my wage to be deducted

Nopenousername · 27/04/2025 12:09

Do you really need to ask? Have you no moral compass?

SharpOpalNewt · 27/04/2025 12:09

It may be in the ts and cs that you still have to pay if they can't get access. If she lost the key or something that would be different.

charlieandjenna · 27/04/2025 12:08

She arrived to work and she might be relying on that money

Conxis · 27/04/2025 12:07

You need to pay her in full. She turned up ready to work and it was your fault she couldn’t work.
If you turned up at work and got sent home as the building wasn’t useable for a reason eg flooded you would still expect to be paid

Munchyseeds2 · 27/04/2025 12:07

Of course you pay her in full
Mad to think otherwise!

unicornflakegirl · 27/04/2025 12:07

You pay her in full. I used to teach private classes, sometimes people cancelled at short notice (less than 24 hours) and I got paid in full. You would be unreasonable and honestly pretty daft to quibble with a good cleaner about this.

HarpSnail · 27/04/2025 12:07

In full, obviously. I’m not sure why this isn’t obvious.

dizzydizzydizzy · 27/04/2025 12:07

Pay her the full amount. It's not her fault your friend forgot to replace the key. She did everything she could in the circumstances. Why should she lose out on the opportunity to earn the full wage?

Exasperated24 · 27/04/2025 12:07

Cloudyvibes · 27/04/2025 12:05

To be honest I can’t even believe that you are questioning it. Full amount.

Right! So many fucking idiots on here today.

Bearbookagainandagain · 27/04/2025 12:06

You absolutely need to pay her in full!

I can't believe you even need to ask!

Vaxtable · 27/04/2025 12:06

I can’t believe you are even asking, you pay the full amount. And if you don’t want to get it from your fiend who did t out the key back

Pikablue · 27/04/2025 12:06

The full amount as it isn't her fault. If the key was in the key safe and she purposefully chose not to access it then potentially yes have a discussion; in this case it's as clear cut as it comes.

BotDranning · 27/04/2025 12:06

Why do you even need to ask this? Honestly some people on here have no clue

Anonym00se · 27/04/2025 12:06

Another vote for pay in full. She’s got bills to pay. She wouldn’t be able to fit another job in at such short notice for 1.5 hours. It’s pennies in the grand scheme of things.

MaryGreenhill · 27/04/2025 12:06

Is this a joke ? Of course
you must pay her .

TheCurious0range · 27/04/2025 12:06

You pay her in full. If she'd forgotten the code, or could've get to work that day it's a different matter. She arrived to work and was unable to due to your cat sitter. Why should she lose money?

WasherWoman25 · 27/04/2025 12:06

I thought you were going to say because she couldn’t get to you for what ever reason (sick, car trouble, child care etc) not that your mistake meant she couldn’t clean. Absolutely pay her full, she turned up for work and couldn’t take any other work due to your fault.