Sacking a cleaner

[BottleBeach]

I have a lovely cleaner, who has been working for me for about a year. He’s an acquaintance of a friend, and we don’t have a contract or anything. He’s not the greatest at details but he gets the main stuff done and he’s reliable so I’ve been happy. However, I’ve had some unexpected expenses lately and need to tighten my belt so I’m going to need to let him go.

I’m happy to continue providing him with a reference, and know what I want to say, but I’m feeling stuck on the logistics of how/when to do it. Should I text him before he comes round next week to explain and ask him to leave the key behind? Have a chat next week while he’s here and get the key back before he leaves? Give him a month’s notice?

If you’re someone who has fired a cleaner, how have you done it?
If you’re a cleaner, how would you prefer it to be done?

Have a chat when he is next due and let him go but pay a weeks notice.

If he's on a zero hours contract you can just get rid.

I think I'd give a months notice out of kindness , though, although it depends on how strapped for cash you are

I'm not a cleaner but a month's notice would be great! Also, I'd like to be told face to face not by text.

Gosh I think you should at least give notice .

I also wouldn’t get rid of someone by text.

Do you normally see him when he comes to clean? If so wait and then give 2 weeks notice and say you are happy to advertise him around your friends / get back in touch if you have more money again.

If you don't see him then do as above but by text.

I’m usually at work when he comes, but sometimes work from home, so I can plan it for a time when I’ll be here.

I had someone do this to my. Just text and said we don’t want u anymore. I am very good at my job and I am particularly fussy and never leave anything not done.

But just like anyone else I have bills to pay and was expecting the money. And with no thought he just sent a one line text and I was done.

I would let them know that in a few weeks you will not need them anymore. Give them a chance to find a replacement job.

Cleaners are the same as other people. If someone said to you u don’t have a job as of tomorrow it’s a bit shocking.

Re read and that sounded a bit harsh. Didn’t mean to be. I have had this done a few times. To you it is only £20. But to me that’s a lot of money. If you see what I mean

I'd give him notice in person. A month would be fair and of course offer a reference. He might not want to work out the full notice of course (because we're always being told how good cleaners have people waiting to employ them) so I wouldn't stand in his way if he wanted to leave sooner.

You didn't sound harsh at all Dont
The term 'get rid' when posters are talking about cleaners always sounds harsh though.