Cleaners hung out to dry - times article

[Itwasntme1]

I have just read an article in the times about people not paying their cleaners.

My very wealthy friend stopped paying his cleaner on day one, this lady has cleaned his house for years. I had just employed a cleaner, she had only come twice, but I am still paying her.

I realise I am taking a risk, she might not come back when lock down is lifted and I have now paid her for more missed sessions than she has cleaned. However morally I would struggle with stopping payments.

Is the times article right, have most people stopped paying their cleaners?

I don't have a hairdresser, nail technician, beautician, Gardner, osteopath, personal trainer, gardener etc etc. I go to "the hairdresser" about 4 times per year but I don't even ask for the same hairdresser each time as working shifts means I just choose a time I can do.

I don't use any service comparable to a cleaner - just the cleaner. She's important to us and living rurally it was also hard to find her (has her own transportation to get to us, has proper liability insurance and contract, bills us properly with a tax number, I trust her in our house alone and if the kids get home while she's cleaning).

We tried but they won’t accept it.

I offered to pay mine; she refused to accept anything.

She is scrupulously honest so would have been declaring her income and will hopefully be able to claim from the government scheme.

@MimiLaRue thank you

Claiming from the government is a long term plan but if people don't pay their cleaners those cleaners will have a huge cash flow problem, especially if they don't have enough savings to live on until the claim pays out. I am fairly sure, for various reasons, that that would cause our cleaner serious problems.

To clarify, I'm not calling anyone tight if they have reduced or no income. Of course that's different.

I’m paying my dog walker still.

I’m still getting paid. I don’t feel I need to “profit” out the situation.

I'm paying mine. I still get paid and so should they.

I could never pay. But than I got no cleaner and no money.
But I used to work as cleaner for various families for 13 years. If they did not need me on particular week or cancelled- nobody ever paid me.

I'm still getting paid so I am paying my cleaner.

My cleaner phoned to say her husband does not want her going into a whole lot of homes and offices while this is on so she would not be cleaning for me until all this was over. However she did offer to do any shopping or post office visits I might need. So it was her decison not to come. If I ask her to do any service for me such as shopping etc I will of course pay her for her time.

My cleaner comes once a fortnight. Before her last visit I messaged her just outlining that I didnt think it was wise her coming at the moment. I said I'd also bank transferred her money to her. She read the message and hasnt so much as acknowledged it or the payment. I think her attitude has been quite rude and partly because of that & the fact I've realised doing my own housework isn't that big a deal I dont think I'll get her back. I certainly wont be paying her if shes not coming over

That is rude @Kinneddar. Mine has been so grateful that I'm still paying her. To not even acknowledge your message is disgraceful. I'd be inclined to get rid.

I don't have a cleaner but my friend does and she still pays hers - mostly I think because good cleaners are hard to find.

I had just employed a cleaner, she had only come twice, but I am still paying her.

Honestly OP, you must have more money than sense. I am entirely on board with continuing to pay a trusted and reliable cleaner that you’ve had for a good length of time, but this woman might never have turned up a third time for all you know.

The fact that she’s continuing to accept money from you in these circumstances would make me very suspicious. You must be mad.

At the time lockdown started they hadn’t quite announced the help for self employed

I felt it was fair to continue paying whilst both of us were getting paid in full. I know she worries about her rent each month. She was very grateful because not many of her clients have opted to do that, not all are in a position to.

We agreed to do that for the first 3 wks then review.
Since next month it’s no longer going to be the case that we’re both getting paid in full, I’ve given notice that we can pay til end of the month then will have to go to 50%.
I hope that’s fair and I’m also hoping she can get some government assistance
I’m mindful that we’ve used her services for about 5 years now.
And also that although I’m trying my best, the house will be very dirty when she comes back!!

Agree though that I’m not sure I would feel obliged if someone had only come twice!

depends on your circumstances not everyone has had a drop in income so I would pay .
If your income has dropped the pay what you can afford .

To clarify, I'm not calling anyone tight if they have reduced or no income. Of course that's different

They might be budgeting for the huge recession that's been predicted by economists. They might be fine now but putting money aside for the future when it might not be so rosy.

@Kinneddar That's good of you and totally shit of your cleaner. Mine also comes fortnightly and I told her I would like to pay her for the month ahead, despite her not coming. She was extremely grateful and said she wouldnt take it but I insisted.
Both DH and I are both still on full wages and she's a single mum. What I'm paying her is nominal but I figured it might make the difference between it being really difficult, to slightly more manageable, for her.

I’m still paying mine. I think it’s the right thing to do as my employment is as normal. Hoping she will do a deep clean for nothing when we get back to normal as it’s hard to stay on top of everything with kids and both working full time. Plus I hate cleaning anyway.

We are still paying out cleaner. She has been with us for years, is extremely honest and trustworthy and makes us amazing cakes from time to time. I could save money by not paying her during this time but then she might not want to come back when all this is over and good cleaners are pretty rare in my experience. If that makes me Lady Muck then I will take that over being Lady With Bad Conscience as that is how I would feel if I dumped her now.

I'm still paying. Anyone who can afford to pay a cleaner in normal times can still afford to do so unless they are out of a job themselves. Wonder which rich bxxches are cleaning their own homes now and refusing to pa their cleaners?

Surely cleaners are no more hung out than other self employed people? Furlough is there for all who are registered and paying tax.

Our cleaner is registered self employed and is claiming furlough, we are topping her wages up.

I don't have a cleaner. I offered to buy advance appointments from my nail tech but she politely declined.