Paying cleaner?

[NorthernGravy]

We’ve cancelled our cleaner due to COVID19 and I’ve set up a standing order to keep paying her. We are both key workers and still getting paid, and it feels the right thing to do. We get sick pay and we feel she should too. The problem is that she’s messaged us and said that we really don’t have to and I don’t know what to do now. I don’t know if she’s just being polite, or if we should stop paying her! Argh. The ethical and moral dilemma of it all.

We are still paying ours. Tell her that as you are still getting paid, it is only fair that She does too.

I’ve told her that and she still says we don’t have to. Her other half is self employed as well.

She’s being polite. Unless she’s secretly wealthy and just loves cleaning then she needs the money like we all do.

Yes she's being polite. Nobody cleans other people's toilets because the want to. Our cleaner says the same, but when we insisted and paid her by bank transfer she sent the nicest message saying it meant the world to her and we'd never know how grateful she is. We'll pay her for as long as we continue to be paid 👍🏻

I'm continuing to pay ours too and will do for as long as I get paid. If (when!) I'm laid off, then I'll have to stop, but until then I'll pay her.

You are right. Have messaged her and said we will carry on, stop arguing!

I've paid mine for six weeks and said we would review it then. She was reluctant to accept but I insisted, knowing she needed the money.

I've got this dilemma and I was going to keep paying her but then when the 80% self employment income announcement came out, I am not less inclined to.

Surely cleaners would be entitled to this if they pay taxes (which they should)?

The SE will get something eventually, the question is when.

I’m paying mine as heaven knows when the self employed will get their dues from the govt.

I'm still paying mine as well

Nobody cleans other people's toilets because the want to.

Yes they do. Best job I've ever had is as a domestic cleaner. Love my job, my clients, the flexibility and the lack of stress. It helps that I enjoy cleaning I suppose.

I am still paying mine. It’s the right thing to do. If you start to struggle financially then of course that’s a different thing but if you can manage it for now then it’s a good thing

I'm on disability benefits and I'm paying mine.

We pay for ILs’ cleaner, I wanted to continue but she insisted not so we have compromised on 50% which I feel is okay, I didn’t feel I could insist on 100% as I’ve never even met the woman and don’t know her circumstances.

My SIL is still paying her cleaner because she knows they need the money now. If you can afford it, it's the right thing to do. Glad you insisted!

Surely cleaners would be entitled to this if they pay taxes (which they should)? depends how many hours they work. They won't pay tax on 16 hours at £9 an hour, they will pay NI though.

I am paying half. Dh is self employed but won’t claim anything as he still has some work but we will still see a huge drop in income.

Hoping you don't mind me hijacking this thread, but do you think it's acceptable for me to ask my cleaner to do ironing for me each week instead? I'm a key worker so don't have the time at the mo, and this way she keeps working and gets paid something?

Just wondering if that's ok

youngerthanyellow I'm not sure how that would work because the whole reason to cancel cleaners is to cut down contact with people outside your household. Even if she didn't actually do the ironing at your house, either she would have to collect or you would have to deliver, resulting in two unnecessary journeys and contacts a week. I would say the answer is no.

I'm paying my cleaner as are many people through this difficult time.

@idril we can’t get that till June. Not sure what I or she is supposed to live off till then.

Pay her, it's likely she relies on it.

@drivemybluecar

Thanks. This post prompted me to look into it and I agree that even if she can claim the money, it will be difficult for her so I am back to my original plan of paying her :-)