Hugely first world problem but are my expectations of a housekeeper too high?

[SlightEmbarrassment]

Prefacing this that I know I’m hugely privileged to be able to afford this etc.

We recently (Feb) hired a housekeeper on a full time basis (8 hours a day Monday to Friday, £45k annual salary) to look after our new house. She’s excellent at laundry and ironing, bed making second to none, but the house is not that clean and definitely untidy. Clothes and toys and STUFF out. Not a tip but not pristine or impromptu guest ready.
Am I unreasonable in expecting dusting, cobweb cleaning, putting things away in this time? I know I could do it myself but I’m paying her (I think) a good salary so I don’t have to.
We have a biggish london house but not a mansion - 6 bedrooms over 4 floors.

Part of the problem is maybe that she’s always talking on the phone on her AirPods, which I’m sure slows her down.

She’s also consistently 15 mins late but leaves bang on time, which again isn’t a huge amount of time she’s missing but feels irritating since I’m not sure the quality of her work is fantastic. There have also been multiple occasions she’s been a lot later due to various issues (dog was sick, plumber etc) but it’s happened more often than I feel is reasonable for such things to arise.

Part of the reason we hired her is my eldest daughter has severe dust mite allergies and associated asthma and eczema so it’s key the house is as dust free as possible to avoid asthma attacks etc. but shelves/ornaments are dusty.

But am I unreasonable in expecting a totally spotless, 100% tidy house everyday for her hours?

I’ve already clarified we don’t leave it in a tip.

Actually I take if back.. I think op thinks by employing someone she owns them, and have had enough of that from nhs!

I think it's time to start a regular appraisal process with the housekeeper so you can give her formal feedback and targets to meet. You are paying her handsomely so should be pleased with the result of her labours.

So what you want is someone to follow you around sorting out the mess you make and you take no responsibility for it?

I don't think that sounds too onerous for a salary of 45K ?

Full time cleaner I would expect the hosue to be spotless and declutter/organised. Id probably want some life admin too.
unless you’re in some 14 bed mansion or something

I think it's quite clear that the OP thinks if you apply for a job where it makes clear that sorting other people's mess out is a key responsibility, that you do need to in fact do that. Not that she owns them?

It's perfectly legit not to want to clear up after other people. Those people can apply for other jobs - this is a very well paid job, it's not exploiting someone who has no other choices.

I’d expect the house to be immaculate, all cupboards and wardrobes immaculate, all ironing perfect and her to take in food deliveries, cook for the kids and run errands if necessary. You’re paying her a lot of money.

The op is paying a high salary. She’s not taking advantage of anyone and the housekeeper saw the job description she wasn’t kidnapped into taking the job

But this is the whole point of the service industry. If everyone did everything for themselves there would loads of people unemployed. It’s not a moral failing to leave clothes on the floor or toys out. OP is paying a very fair wage and presumably outlined expectations in the job description/interview. I’m sure there are lots of people who would be very happy to be her housekeeper.

Anyway chefs have KPs to clear up their mess.

Where's the mess and stuff coming from then if not from you/family?

where do you live @SlightEmbarrassment I'd do a cracking job I love housework and tidying up - would be great to get paid a decent amount to do it😂

So what you want is someone to follow you around sorting out the mess you make and you take no responsibility for it?

I know I do that for free on top of my paid job, and I imagine quite a few people on here do the same, its called being a woman ?

Thanks. I don’t think we’re taking advantage of her. I think the expectations were clear, we pay her wages and a pension, plus she’s already had a full month of paid annual leave.

You want a new housekeeper? I'd clean your house everyday for 45k salary.

£45 K is a huge amount of money.
You are definitely not being unreasonable expecting more from your housekeeper.

As for the person above who said something along the lines of "Oh but more that three hours a day of cleaning is too much" ohmygosh fuck off with that shit. I've worked in a factory where you stack, clean, stack, clean, hardcore manual labour working with machinery and I did it for £14k per year !!!

A bit of dusting and tidying up for £45k seems like living a fairytale dream come true!!!

Your housekeeper is taking the piss. Or you're massively overpaying.

My friend had a part time house keeper a few years ago, I think maybe 4 hours a day. She had small boys and their friends in and out, plus was always inviting in for a glass of Sauvignon blanc, and that house was always gleaming! Smelled beautiful, flowers arranged everywhere, bathrooms sparkling, nothing out of place. My friend never did anything about the house, the housekeeper did it all, and even things like ocado orders were done for when the housekeeper was there so she could organise and put away. She would also do things on rotation, I.e. once in a while clean and organise all the Lego, once in a while sort all the kids clothes etc. yours is taking the piss.

I'd happily do that for £45k! Sign me up.

Well yes, we do make some mess in general living, playing, kids arts and crafts etc but that’s why we pay her to help tidy and clean.

Obviously I’ll clean up the kitchen every evening after dinner, dishwasher is emptied in the morning.
You shouldn't need to lift a finger if you employ someone 40 hours a week.
She should be doing every scrap of work that a house needs, including tidying.
I would start looking for someone else. It's vital that you have a very detailed and all encompassing job description for your housekeeper. Never assume and don't allow them to assume that they can decide what is or isn't their job.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all and fwiw you are paying her more than I currently earn.

I'm struggling to understand what she does all day if she doesn't cook or really clean.

There should be no dust if she's doing her job properly OP.

I think she maybe taking advantage of you being too nice.

I have an extremely average after school nanny for 20 hours a week and a very good cleaner for 4 hours a week. Kids at school 9-4. My house is spotless. You’re being had.

grow a backbone. Give her a list of jobs per room you expect done every week. If she’s not independently proactive you have to make sure they know what the role is in intimate detail. That’s not necessarily a reflection on them but if you let her get away then scouts not fair on anyone. Your resentment builds and she doesn’t understand why you’re pissed and unfriendly. It’s just not kind all round.

so bite the bullet and treat you’re domestic staff like you’d treat your professional staff or direct reports.

Given the amount you are paying her, I would not be putting up with this at all! She is taking the piss out of you. What on earth is she doing for 40 hours if your house isn’t gleaming??! I would honestly put that question to her. She needs sacking but make sure you do it properly because at that salary I wouldn’t be surprised if she started grumbling about unfair dismissal.

This is my dream but, alas, I do not live in the country of my birth where the average middle class family had a housekeeper, cook and gardener!

My best cleaner only worked for me 4 hours a week and managed to clean it perfectly plus do general organising and tidying. Obviously didn't expect laundry or beds in that time frame but she was brilliant ... then unfortunately slipped on holiday and broke her back so obviously gave up cleaning. I still miss her. (She was lovely too).

At 35 hours a week you should have the cleanest house in London

I would be disappointed too OP

For 45k and 8 hours a day I would be expecting to be able to eat off the floors tbh

I would also expect some element of initiative/organising of clutter to happen as well - if there's inadequate storage to sort that out, deep clean areas, tidy cupboards etc

I'd happily take the job if I lived near!