to say something to cleaner leaving early and what do I say?

[Trioofprinces]

New cleaner started about a month ago. We agreed she would do 3 hrs. She said that after getting used to it she thought it would take 2-2.5hrs, but we agreed to stick to 3hrs for the time being.

A couple of weeks ago she left after 2hrs 45mins so the following week I said something along the lines of "you seemed to be doing ok for time last week so if you have time could you please do x this week".

This week was the first time I left and let her lock up. I know she got here at 9.30 and the alarm shows her leaving at 11.50, so she stayed for 2hrs 20mins only. She took the money for the full 3hrs. (It would have been easy to take for 2.5hrs as she charges £8ph and I left £24, so she could have taken £20 and left a note).

Now, obviously if I didn't have the alarm I wouldn't have known when she left, and I doubt she knows that I can see the entry and exit time of her keyfob.

She came highly recommended so I don't want to naff her off but I also want to make the point that I am happy to pay for what she does, whether that be 2.5hrs or 3hrs but that I expect her to work the time I have paid.

We are also going on holiday next week and she is due to do 6hrs while we're away, now clearly if she thinks my house can be done in less than 2.5hrs, there is no way she is going to work all 6hrs we're away.

So, what do I say to make her realise I can see how long she's here without sounding like I'm monitoring her, and what do I do about the holiday time?

WWYD?

Thanks

I think in this situation you need a discussion with her. Tell her either she drops back to 2.5 hours, or give her extra duties to take her up to three hours.

Argh, I despair of many cleaners, and I've had quite a few over the years. The prevailing mindset seems to be to rush around getting the work done in as little time as possible then go home or off to the next job or whatever. For them it is getting the set work done that is the target, not filling up the three hours or whatever. Whereas as an employer I want my three hours (or whatever) worth of cleaning. There is always other work that can be found! Only one cleaner has ever taken the initiative to find other jobs that needed doing off her own back to fill her set time. Unfortunately she left.

I think you have to put your foot down and be clear about what you want at this early stage, or things will settle into a pattern.

BackforGood - I was just about to post and suggest I say the same thing. I'd really rather be amicable and not get grumpy as i'd like her to stay here.

Happy - OMG I do hope not! She has been recommended by someone she has cleaned for for years but it is commercial rather than domestic so slightly different. She knows that I know her other employer well and could be influential so I have to trust that she is fully trustworthy fingers crossed

LaQueen - drives me mad too. How can someone hoover around the bin in DS's room but not pick up the thing and hoover under it too. Perhaps even, here's a novel idea, even take out the carrier bag inside it and change it for a clean one. I do not have OCD, just standards :)

Surely the time she takes isn´t the issue-but that she´s taking pay for 3hrs when she hasn´t worked it?

I´m surprised so many would be happy to pay her for more time than she´s working.

diddl - yes I agree. I am more than happy to pay for time she works, I just don't want to pay for time she doesn't!

I think I'll go with the list of extra jobs whilst away, then the "you seem to be doing ok time wise, should we cut down to 2.5hrs or would you prefer extra jobs to take up your time" approach.

Thanks all, I love MN for the quick and varied responses :)

Have had this problem in the past, but didn't handle it well

In hindsight, I shoud have commented earlier

I pay £10 per hour as that's the gong rate here, but if she's happy with £8 that's OK.

I'd say that you note from the record her key fob makes she's managing to finish in under 2 1/2 hours ( be honest that you can see this from the start)

Do pay while you are away, it's not her fault and she shouldn't be down in money (see you already agreed this)

Give her a list of one off jobs to do. Cleaning fridge is a good one while it's emptier than normal. Clearing out under beds, behind moveable furniture etc

If the house is still as clean as ever and she does nothing else wrong, forgive the odd 10 minutes but agree any more is a piss take

I wouldnt say anything yet. See how long she does when you are on holiday and tackle it then if shes not doing the hours. Build up a bit more evidence. I only say this as we had a cleaner who was meant to do 2 hours while we were at work. I was suspicious that they were not doing the full amount of time so one day when I was off work I went outside and parked up in my car from a distance and watched them arrive and leave - they did 20 mins!!

Is she entitled to a break during her work? My cleaner is entitled to five minutes/hour, so she takes twenty minutes at the end of four hours.

As an employer, I want certain things done, that I think is reasonable to ask.

Hopeforever - Yes she asked for £8, which is around the going rate here, and I know she gets about £6.50ph from her commercial cleaning rate. She did ask in an "am I being cheeky?" voice, and was very pleased when I said £8 was fine. (She doesn't know I know how much she gets paid elsewhere).

belgo, no she doesn't have a 'break' but I always make her a cup of coffee and have a little chat. If I make another drink later, I'll offer her one and I've told her she can help herself to tea/coffee if I'm not here.

Shesaysso - 20mins??!!!!

Would you rather have a thorough and efficient cleaner who can so jobs you expect to take 3 hrs in just over 2. Or someone who does an okay job at a snails pace and works the full 3 hours but only gets half of what you expect done?
If you tell her about the alarm she may just bring a book and have a cup of tea as well and a read after she has finished

If she's doing everything you ask then I don't think you have room for complaint. Yes you could go down to 2.5 hrs as per her suggestion but she sounds fab, I'd try not to piss her off if I were you.

I have a number of cleaning customers in my business and I think she has a bit of a nerve.

I might leave 10 mins or so early, but then sometimes I stay that much extra and don't change, but if it is more than that, I either leave money, or if paid by cheque tell them so they can redress it on the following weeks cheque, or ask if they want the hours made up.

I have had a few cleaners over the years. I had issue with every one of them, slow, slapdash, leaving early, ignoring list I gave them etc. I don't know what the problem is, it just seems to me, they want good cash in hand money for not very much in return. I gave up with them, when friendly words didn't work.

YANBU. (unless you are paying her really badly). I would send a text saying that you were worried she left early (give the time) and that you hope there wasn't a problem.
I pay my cleaner £10 an hour so leaving 40 mins early would be the equivilant of nicking over six quid of me. Unless she gave a reasonable explanation I would consider finding another cleaner.
in fact, even if she gave an explanation I would still look for a new cleaner
My cleaner and I get on very well and I trust her completely, she works hard and I think she likes me too. . She always works her full time (not a minute longer but not a minute less)

I disagree that you have to tread carefully and not piss them off. You've got the money, there are plenty of others willing to do the job. It's not rocket science. But does take common sense and decency. As long as you pay them fairly and treat them respectfully, why should you pussyfoot around?

I thought you weren't entitled to a break unless you worked for six hours, then you are entitled to 20 minutes, under employment law.
I have had this leaving early issue and have pointed out they are paid per hour not per job, and given a list of "spring cleaning" type tasks if they ever finish the regular stuff too early. You just have to make clear it's not acceptable. Definitely leave a good list of holiday jobs as well.

I would on reflection sack her, and find someone new after the holiday.

She originally asked for 2.5 hours. I think you need to say that having tried it for a month you realise that what she is doing is probably 2.5 hours but you are happy to give her a couple of extra jobs to keep it at 3. Then agree a list of what you want done each week. If she does it in less than 3 hours I wouldn't have a problem with it.

My cleaner does in 3 hours what would take me at least four or five. I don't know how she does it. I would be a bit more thorough but she keeps us under control, works hard, does tidy, is lovely, loyal, reliable, etc.. She comes twice a week, does some ironing and works a total of five hours per week for me.

Disagree entirely with MattDamon - around here good cleaners are like gold dust and you value you them with your life.

I forgot to me mention I had this problem about 8 years ago, the first time I noticed I just told the cleaner that I had noticed she had left early and that could she please make sure she work her full hours. I said if something came up and she needed to leave early to let me know and that I would be ok with it. I was friendly but crystal clear. She did it twice more so I told her that, I was sorry but it wasn't working out for me and I was letting her go. I have had cleaners for years and she was the only one I ever had a problem with. All the others have been fantastic.

It felt a bit of a bitch TBH sacking someone but I was very glad that I did it.

That's the thing, ops cleaner isn't great, she takes money for 40min work not done, so isn't trustworthy, op only knows from an alarm, cleaner didn't own up. You need trustworthy people if they are getting keys and access to your empty home, ops cleaner isn't trustworthy.

marriedinwhite my cleaner does in 3 hours what would take me at least my lifetime and probably the whole of eternity to do.

- it's the mnetting. You could clean and pay someone to mnet