Am I being a total cow?

25 degrees is a normal British summer. She is being unreasonable in that regard. 30 degrees, then I'd probably agree with her.

She doesn't need the money, obviously. We had someone come to clean our carpets and upholstery on a blisteringly hot day a couple of years ago - 28 degrees+ - and I gave the lady every chance to change the date. She said she needed the money and she battled through with regular glasses of water from me. Gave her a sizeable tip for her efforts, she worked bloody hard and she was very happy because she finished more quickly than she thought and went straight to the beach with her young son with some extra cash in her back pocket for chips and ice creams. I wish there were more people like her, she was a true grafter.

While she wouldn't be UR to cancel when it’s in the 30’s, 25 is just a lovely summer day imo. I’d look elsewhere. I have a physical outdoor job and 25 just means sunscreen and a hat!

this. reliability is important to you. She isn't reliable.

You're not doing her a favour by employing her any more than your own employer only hired you out of the goodness of their hearts - they are both business arrangements.

She's an adult woman who makes her own decisions. Perhaps she doesn't really need the money so for her it's not worth being uncomfortable in hot weather - it's a choice she's entitled to make, as getting a new cleaner who will work is yours.

I don’t know her circumstances but it sounds like her cleaning business must be additional money for her household rather than something she relies on, as she can’t be bringing anything at all at the moment with how the past few weeks/months have been. It must be so tough being self-employed, I know many have to drag themselves in when unwell as no work means no money, so this is unusual.

I suppose I’m saying she doesn’t appear to be relying on regular income so it may not be that hard for her if you cease to be a regular?

25 degrees is much too low as a threshold. I've had to work in over 30, and just got on with it.

If she sticks to that - she won't get many customers. I'd find someone else.

Yes, it's her choice, but it's not convenient for customers so I'm guessing she's not fussed about getting customers.

I think she does not want to clean for you - and this is her 'elegant' way of politely resigning, because the temperature nonsense is just nonsense, unless she is 85.

Its not just the cleaning—she also has to get to you which might become difficult or even dangerous over certain temps. High heat may also increase travel times which is another cost to her. She has to factor in travel times and wear and tear in deciding whether it makes financial sense to do the job at all. It may well be that at certain temps the job woth you just doesn’t cover the health/monetary costs of going to your place to clean.

You shouldn’t feel bad about saying you need to hire someone to do the work and going ahead and hiring someone else (if available).

If you really need it doing, I don't think it would be terrible to find someone else.

Is she normally good and reliable?

My hairdresser cancelled a couple of weeks ago (she's mobile) because she was feeling unwell from the heat - the rescheduled appointment is this afternoon and although my hair really needs a cut I wouldn't mind if she cancelled again. I am working in an office and really struggling, so can't imagine what it must be like to do anything remotely physical.

I would message her back and say you accept her decision but in the meantime your house needs cleaning so going forward you will be finding a permanent replacement.

She's said she's not going to do it, and you need it done, so obviously you need to find someone else.

She could have no sensible reason to hold that against you.

She's sounds lazy. 30 degrees I'd get but 25 means you spend of the a year not knowing if she's coming.

How unreliable! Sound like she just wants to sunbathe.

Yes I've done actual physical jobs in the summer outdoors. Cleaning is active but I wouldn't say ita the same as hard physical labour. She's not exactly building a six pack doing it is is?

Of course she can cancel, but then you can find someone else too.
I am afraid she sounds as if she has not thought through the impact of her decision.
25 degrees is not 35 degrees.

I'd get a new cleaner. You have a cleaner, because you need one. You particularly need one right now after your op. This one constantly lets you down.

Yeah, I wouldn't employ a cleaner who had put such a rigid line in the sand. All summer you will be checking the forecast to see if she'll be coming, and what if it's on the cusp of 25, is she coming or not?

I think it's fine during a heatwave for her to message a couple of days in advance "Hi client, it's looking very hot this week so I won't be working". But to say she's never coming above 25 would be too unstable an arrangement for me.

You are not a cow OP.
She has changed her T&Cs and you are free to look elsewhere. maybe cleaner has a health condition or is pregnant.

The arrangement no longer works for you so stop booking this one.

I was thinking the same. 25 isn’t exceptionally hot, and is a common summer temperature.

Our cleaners are in as normal, they do four hours a week for us. No mention of the weather apart from pleasantries such as ‘isn’t it lovely out’ and ‘help yourself to water, juice, lollies etc’.

I would look for someone more reliable, OP.

You need a new cleaner.

Don't feel guilty about going elsewhere.
She is unable to provide the service you are paying for and has stated that this won't change!

Why leave it seven days? Surely you could give it a scrub yourself.

Sorry but 25 is nothing, however she is free to choose when she works, as a self employed person.

and you are free - and I would - to find a new cleaner!

Quite impressive that a cleaner can flatly reject paid work for most of the summer. She must be doing pretty well!

Does she know you have aircon units? I'd reply and remind her about the operation and say your house won't be that hot or at least the rooms you really need cleaning. If she still says no, find another cleaner or do it yourself once you've recovered. The world won't stop turning because the house isn't tidy for a few weeks.

This. My BIL baled and stored away 900 small bales throughout the day yesterday Mid Gloucs on his own.

She is kinda breaking the contract. I would be looking around for a replacement at least, especially given you need it more now than ever.

She's self-employed and can choose to work or not work as she pleases, could be because it's hot, could be that she is on holiday, or just doesn't want someone as a client. That is one of hte benefits of being self-employed.

However, the flip side of that is that if you start saying you won't do X or Y and putting restrictions on your service, then your clients are well within their rights to go elsewhere.

Start looking for another cleaner.