Would you pay your cleaner while you're on holiday

[Vijac]

Couldn't find a home for this topic so I've popped it here. We're going on holiday for two weeks this summer and will not be using our cleaner for those weeks. I have told her and she seemed totally happy about that. She also goes away to visit family in Eastern Europe sometimes and her friend comes instead. We have never had a discussion about what would happen for holidays. It crossed my mind that maybe we should be paying for holidays. Or is this built into her hourly cost, bearing in mind that she is self employed? I do not think that she expects it and things are a bit tight with holiday bills etc but equally I want to do the right thing and I expect things are probably tight for her too (unless her hubby is making lots!). What do you do?

I only pay when mine clean so if either of us cancel for whatever reason no money changes hands

Mine doesn't let me pay if we're away but I always put it towards her Christmas box which she does accept. Being self employed, I'd say you'd need to charge more than a cleaner does to account for holidays. But they can't because the going rate is low.

I would still have my cleaner in to clean so I can come home to a nice clean house.

We would have her come but she usually comes when we are here and does not have a key. Don't know what to do. I can't really pay half or something, it's all or nothing I guess?

Can't you just give her a key and ask her to come as usual?

We're a bit paranoid about giving keys out I'm afraid! Would be great to come but to a lovely extra clean house but I think my dh would be uncomfortable with it. Think I may just pay her 4 weeks holiday a year when we go away.

I wouldn't as she is self employed so needs to consider these things when running a business. As long as she has sufficient notice .

OP, you may want to post your query in the Good Housekeeping section as you may get further responses there.

My cleaner comes while we're away, so we come home to a shiny house and all the ironing away in the wardrobes.

Give her a key! But on the strict instruction that it is only her to use it, not her friend.

This is built in.

I sometimes offer them the chance to come anyway and do some extra jobs, if they want - clean oven, wash skirtings, wash windows etc. there is always a list! But you don't have to do this.