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Original poster

Please tell me how I can (gently) let my cleaner go...

21 replies

dameofdilemma · 25/02/2020 17:28

Our cleaner of 15 years who whilst not very thorough is lovely, is really struggling to do the job anymore.
Over the last couple of years her health has deteriorated (nothing serious but she's in her 50s, gets backache etc).

She stays around 2.5 hours (we pay her £50 for 4 hours) as I think she struggles to do 4 hours anymore. The floors are often not cleaned properly, dust is gathering on surfaces, kitchen grime that needs more than a wipe over isn't cleaned etc.

She used to be able to clean better.

We're now spending time at weekends/evenings cleaning whilst still paying her and logically I know that can't continue.

What might be a reasonable redundancy payment? And how do I broach it?
She won't quit as she needs the money but I can see this isn't a job she can do anymore. I can't think of anything else we could employ her to do for £50 a week either...

OP posts:

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 25/02/2020 17:46

Definitely don't talk about redundancy - she's surely self-employed? Tell her that you appreciate all she's done over the years but you don't need a cleaner any more (don't explain why, don't make excuses). If you want to give her a payment call it a thank you, don't call it notice or redundancy.

BlueLadybird · 25/02/2020 17:47

Do you see in person or will you leave a note?

Doing 2.5 hours and taking money for 4 is unacceptable (unless you see her do less and still press £50 into her hand?). However if you use this as the reason she will probably just agree to stay 4 hours from now on which isn’t going to get you where you need to be.

I think you just need to be blunt and say that after X date* you won’t need her any more. Thanks for looking after your home for so many years. Wish her well for the future. Buy her a gift and give her a week or two wages as a goodbye. Then find someone better.

*If you think there’s a danger she will do something in retaliation you might want to make her last day the day you speak to her and then pay her up until, for example, the end of the month.

inthethickofit19 · 25/02/2020 17:47

It's lovely you are thinking of a redundancy package, I don't think that's common but since she has worked for you for 15 years I guess she is more like a family friend.

How about giving her a months notice and 2 weeks wages? It really depends on what you can afford. But that would give her 6 weeks before being out of pocket

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Cleaning

BlueLadybird · 25/02/2020 17:48

PS I second the post about avoiding the term redundancy. As long as she was never an employee (which would be unusual for a part time domestic cleaner) she is self employed and not due one. You don’t want to open that can of worms. Plus I assume you’ll want a new cleaner?

inthethickofit19 · 25/02/2020 17:48

Just read the others responses I agree a gift sounds better than redundancy

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 25/02/2020 17:56

Its really tricky as we've known her for so long - years ago her young daughter used to come with her in the school holidays and play with dd when I was on mat leave.

She lives on her own and has no family in this country. I worry she has noone to fall back on.

I feel bad about lying and saying we don't need a cleaner anymore, knowing I'm lining up a replacement.

Will speak to dp, maybe two months pay to give her a chance to find another job...

OP posts:

BoudoirPink · 25/02/2020 18:00

When our cleaner's work deteriorated because of an age-related health condition, she was actually relieved when I said we were going to let her go because we thought she wasn't able to do the job any longer -- turns out she thought we couldn't do without her, and was relieved to be let off the hook. We gave her a big payment and parted on cordial terms.

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 25/02/2020 18:12

Boudoir - I did ask her if she wanted to take some time off but she wasn't keen...

OP posts:

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 25/02/2020 18:31

Are you the only person she cleans for?

Same as other PPs, id give her a 'thank you' (depending on how much you can afford) and say you think you can manage without a cleaner now.

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 26/02/2020 13:15

Thanks all - you've all been more helpful than DP who's suggested telling cleaner to stay longer and clean better - think he's totally missed that she's unwell...

OP posts:

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 26/02/2020 13:18

BlueLady - "(unless you see her do less and still press £50 into her hand?)"

That is what I do am afraid! She isn't pretending she's working longer or lying about it or anything.

Not completely sure but think she may have mentioned something to do with her heart (and she can't take ibuprofen for some reason, only paracetamol?).

OP posts:

HollowTalk · 26/02/2020 13:21

What does she say about only working for 2.5 hours but being paid for 4?

BlueLadybird · 26/02/2020 13:32

She clearly thinks she is doing an ok job. Your options are either to speak to her and say you really need 4 hours cleaning and for it to be done to a high standard - and then see if she changes her ways. Or if you don’t think that will work you need to bite the bullet and let her to. I wouldn’t say you don’t need a cleaner any more if actually you do, but I expect she will ask why and so have a response ready.

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 26/02/2020 14:48

What does she say about only working for 2.5 hours but being paid for 4?

I've never raised it with her and have only been aware of it when dp or I have been working from home (on average couple of times a month over last three months).
On those occasions she's either said nothing or said she had a hospital appt, had backache or someone else was supposed to come and help her but didn't turn up.

OP posts:

Feedthispiggychoc · 26/02/2020 16:01

Could it be she's struggling with your health and after working for you for so long, would rather not take a 'sick day' so muddled though hence your having half a job as she's not giving her body rest that might be needed.

I would sit down with her, with a cuppa, and ask how she is; is anything bothering her; how's her health as you've noticed she's not been herself recently and at times, it seems she's struggling/in pain. You might find she tells you what it is and as a result, her cleaning improves. More so if she's no one really around to talk to!

I can't take anti inflammatories like ibuprofen due to a blood disorder & being on blood thinners. I know you can't take it for being on blood thinners, if you have high blood pressure, kidney issues and some heart issues. Just an insight into what might be going on with her health if no ibuprofen

Feedthispiggychoc · 26/02/2020 16:02

With her health

Flyinggeese · 26/02/2020 16:08

Employing a cleaner seems to be a total minefield! Really puts me off the idea even though I'd love to!

Anyway, OP, I reckon the kindest thing you can do is give her plenty of notice and just say from X month you'll be doing your own cleaning due to a change in work hours / pay cut etc. Really sorry to see her go etc as she's been great. Whatever sounds best.

You simply can't keep paying her well over the odds for those hours and you do genuinely need a better job doing.

OR can you gently say 'I've noticed the cleaning hours have been reduced - is everything OK?' and see what she says.

Flyinggeese · 26/02/2020 16:12

Sorry OP please ignore the last line - I can see you want to let her go regardless - understandable.

Skyejuly · 26/02/2020 16:21

Could she do 2hours but twice a week?

Original poster

dameofdilemma · 26/02/2020 17:03

I think the job is becoming too physically demanding for her. Eg the downstairs floors were cleaned but not the upstairs (I'm guessing because she struggled to carry the hoover and mop up the stairs maybe??).

Previously she mentioned asthma type symptoms and asked us to change all the cleaning products to eco ones, which we did. Not sure if all the health issues are connected in some way.

OP posts:

BlueLadybird · 27/02/2020 09:02

OP, you have two options and you need to pick one otherwise you’ll carry on this way (or worse) for years and years.

Talk to her, explain the cleaning isn’t being done properly, say how disappointed you are that she is doing little over half the time you are paying for and give her chance to change. Consider if there are any adjustments you are willing to make such as her coming for 2 x 2 hours or a second hoover upstairs.
Tell her you have really appreciated her service over the years but it isn’t working for you any more and so after X date you won’t be needing her. If she asks why say you are so busy you don’t have time to re-do cleaning or the areas she hasn’t done and you’re not in a financial position to keep paying her for more hours than she is doing. Wish her well, give her £100 and a nice bunch of flowers and get yourself a better cleaner.

You could decide to do 1 for a trial period and then move to 2, or go straight to two.

Either way, I know you will find it awkward and feel guilty if there is a health reason BUT, she is essentially stealing from you since she is taking money for work she hasn’t done. She isn’t treating you with any respect whatsoever - she is taking you for a ride - and you need to fix that one way or another.

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