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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About pregnant cleaner

38 replies

tholeon · 09/03/2012 20:00

ok so have not decided what to do yet so it is not really a fair question, but.. We have a cleaner, four hours a week, cash in hand. She is quite good and has been with us for a few months. She has just told me she is pregnant. Also that her boyfriend is a bit useless and she doesn't have much family support. Am a bit worried how she will cope, also I guess middle class guilt as I got her to help me as have toddler and baby but here I am with nice dh to support us in comfortable lifestyle etc.. Any views on what might be fair in terms of maternity pay etc?? Do actually want someone to clean so would have to pay them as well.. Want to be kind but not stupid!

OP posts:

prawncrackered · 09/03/2012 21:02

I'm a cleaner and pay tax and NI but a lot of my customers don't want to pay any other way than cash.

What a lot of riduculous assumptions on this thread.

takingiteasy · 09/03/2012 21:04

No one is saying you can't accept cash as payment. I paid my childminder in cash, she gave me a receipt. When someone says they employ some 'cash in hand' or got a job done 'for cash' it indicates underclared. It would need the OP to clear up what she means when she says she pays her cleaner 'cash in hand' as I know what assumption I make on hearing that phrase.

My DH is self employed, gets paid cash sometimes, provides receipts and declares that income. If he was asked for a cash price the assumption would be the price would be lower becuase it wasn't being declared.

Crocodilio · 09/03/2012 21:05

Doesn't everyone pay their cleaners cash (or give a cheque), unless it's through an agency? You wouldn't employ them, taking out their tax and NI at source, when they only do a few hours a week. They are self employed, as am I and DH, and free to declare the right income or not as their morals dictate! As I am self employed, declare my earnings, and am about to have a baby I am entitled to Maternity Allowance, as would a cleaner be.

So OP, give her a nice gift, and perhaps make sure she's getting all working and child tax credits, child benefit and maternity allowance she's entitled to.

FWIW, I didn't claim tax credits that we are entitled to until ds1 was a year old, because I thought tax credits were for unemployed people, and I'd have appreciated it being pointed out sooner!

takingiteasy · 09/03/2012 21:05

AThingInYourLife Thank god someone else can see the difference!

Original poster

tholeon · 09/03/2012 21:07

Thanks all..have no idea about her tax situation am afraid. Just feel a bit sorry for her and conscious about finding a new baby hard work even with the support I have. Am wondering about the possibility of her wanting to come back and bring the baby with her. Would this work? Would she get anything done?? Would I drown in my own discomfort as she attempts to dust my shelves with baby strapped to her back??

OP posts:

takingiteasy · 09/03/2012 21:09

Doesn't everyone pay their cleaners cash (or give a cheque), unless it's through an agency? But that's what I'm saying, there's a difference between paying cash and saying you pay someone 'cash in hand' I know in the trades that phrase means - straight in your pocket, nothing declared.

They are self employed, as am I and DH, and free to declare the right income or not as their morals dictate!

I'm sure it's not just up to you and your morals to dictate what tax you pay - but I could be wrong...

skybluepearl · 09/03/2012 21:55

you don't pay her maternity leave. she is in effect self employed and so will be entitled to maternity allowance or maternity pay (they are different!!)- forms on the government website.

Bearcrumble · 09/03/2012 22:03

You are very sweet - but I honestly don't think you should do any more than give her a gift or money to the value of one session's cleaning and wish her well with the baby.

MsVestibule · 09/03/2012 22:10

When I read the thread title, I assumed you were going to be complaining that she wasn't doing a very good job now, and would it be OK to sack her.

Turns out you're much nicer than I am

DeathBeforeDecaf · 10/03/2012 08:45

I'm with those who see the difference between paying in cash and "cash in hand" I thought that it was screemingly obvious that everyone did!?

OP I'd just give her a nice gift for the baby.

AwkwardMary · 10/03/2012 08:55

What a lot of rotters there are on here! OP you do as you see fit...if it were me I would probably giver her a few weeks worth of wages before she left and say it was a gift.

AwkwardMary · 10/03/2012 08:56

You could half her wages, pay that and call it a retainer...she would be very grateful and it would help.

leftwingharpie · 10/03/2012 09:04

Employers claim maternity pay back from the government, OP, it doesn't come out of their own pockets. Anyway it's unlikely that your cleaner is an employee, as others have said.

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