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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To mention to cleaner about leaving early?

45 replies

purpleteapig · 04/02/2015 16:22

We recently hired a cleaner to come by a couple of hours a week as I'm heavily pregnant and knackered! We pay her 20 for 2 hours.

As I'm now on maternity leave, I've been home on her last few visits and each time she leaves about 20 minutes early. I haven't mentioned anything so far as feel a bit uncomfortable about bringing it up, but we've said stuff like if she has time, can she also do certain additional chores. She's not the most thorough cleaner but is very nice.

WIBU to raise the leaving early thing? This is the first time we've had a cleaner so it's a new thing for me!

OP posts:

Vycount · 04/02/2015 19:46

She's not doing a good job anyway from what you say. You need a new cleaner.

BallsforEarrings · 04/02/2015 19:49

I don't think it's possible to clean a house properly in two hours, unless it is a small one bedroom with just one occupant maybe (maybe not!)

It cannot be a very detailed clean and therefore I can't see how she can go even earlier than that - I cannot imagine how it can be being completed!

rinabean · 04/02/2015 19:52

You're in her way (is she having to hoover around your legs too?). Either you follow her around and get in her way or get out the house and leave her to do it properly. Alternatively clean your own house and you'll not have this problem

Lovecat · 04/02/2015 19:54

Rinabean, that's really horrible, the OP has explained (not that she has to justify herself!) that she's pregnant and knackered!

And if the OP were getting in the cleaners' way, it still wouldn't justify her leaving 20 mins early.

Are you the cleaner?

BallsforEarrings · 04/02/2015 20:07

If the OP were getting in her way she would be even longer in the house not less time rina!!

Of course she isn't following her round - who would do that? If you've had a bad experience please don't take it out on the OP!

PtolemysNeedle · 04/02/2015 20:38

She doesn't even pick up beanbags to Hoover underneath?

She is a shit cleaner on every level. Get rid!

YourMaNoBraBackOfMyCar · 04/02/2015 21:21

Why does someone always have to come on these threads and be bitchy to those with cleaners? You don't really see it on other threads where the op is getting a service and PAYING for it.

lurkerspeaks · 04/02/2015 22:05

My old cleaner was brilliant - my house sparkled and she left when she was finished equally other weeks she would stay a bit Kate if. I had a load if ironing.

My new cleaner isn't as good and takes longer to clean a smaller flat which should be easier to clean as there is less hard flooring to wash. I would pull her up if she left early!

MistressDeeCee · 04/02/2015 22:07

I honestly wouldn't invest any more time or thoughts into this - whats the point? She leaves early and doesn't do a good job anyway. Why have a word with her about both these things? She's a grown woman and has chosen to behave as she does. I wouldn't want her in my house any more..I wouldn't find that behaviour trustworthy. Tell her you won't be needing her, and get another cleaner. Simple as that. Unless for some other reason you owe her some kind of trust & loyalty. Not that she's shown any of this to you. Do you know her...? You've listed lots of things she doesn't do that you're not pleased with, yet somehow you sound reluctant to let her go ("I should have been clearer about our expectations"). Im betting this isn't her 1st cleaning job...!

Im not sure if this will be your 1st DC (congratulations by the way) but if so..once baby is born you won't have time to faff around wondering and worrying about a cleaner who isn't doing her job. A cleaner is hired to make your workload easier, not give you more stuff to think about. The only way Id possibly have more thought about her is if she was a relative - and thats only, maybe. Apart from that - nope.

Mrsbird311 · 04/02/2015 23:31

Rinabean, most ridicous thing ever, if we all felt like that we wouldn't employ anyone to do anything, we'd all grow our own food, make our own clothes, doesn't that sound like fun? She's not expecting the cleaner to clean for free, she's paying her way above the living wage but somehow she's in the wrong? You seem very bitter, are you this woman's cleaner by any chance??

Original poster

purpleteapig · 05/02/2015 06:36

Rina - no, I keep out of her way of course, but thanks for your helpful input

Mistress, no, she's not a mate - she was recommended by a friend at my child's nursery. I just didn't want the faff of finding someone else at this stage (2nd child due around now) but you all are right & I should get someone else...

OP posts:

Katinkka · 05/02/2015 08:55

Good luck finding a new cleaner. I've had a few and looking to employ again but it's such a pain. Nobody wants to do it round here! Or I'll get someone that starts off great then gets lazier and lazier or I'll get someone totally clueless. 'What are skirting boards?'

lemisscared · 05/02/2015 15:45

yeah because cleaners are just brain dead lazy fuckers aren't they?

MistressDeeCee · 05/02/2015 15:53

Oh I see purple..then yes, it will be a faff getting someone else at this stage but I think you have to..it will be easier to do it before you give birth..and imagine having a newborn to deal with, all the extra work that involves then having a cleaner around who doesn't work well, PLUS slopes off early? That will be the real hassle - so, do it now and hopefully get someone else in who won't cause any angst

Mrsbird311 · 05/02/2015 17:45

Lemisscared, I love my cleaner, she's amazing not lazy or brain dead she's an older lady and enjoys getting out the house and earning holiday money, I think she really likes feeling like part of a family , her own kids won't talk to her( rotton lot) so we've kind of adopted her and the kids buy her a lovely big bunch of flowers for Mother's Day as she is like having an extra grandma, not all cleaners are treated badly but it works both ways

Justabitoh · 05/02/2015 17:54

I would say something like 'You seem to have been getting everything done pretty quickly recently, would you please be able to do dusting/hoovering the skirting boards/window polishing if you finish early?

You need to be quite specific about what you would like doing.

If she continues to do it or your still not happy about her work, then i would let her go.

HappyAgainOneDay · 05/02/2015 18:09

I would get a new cleaner before sacking the current one. They are hard to come by at a decent rate where I live. I know the OP might not be able to do that with the baby coming though.

Mine does 3 hours once a month and I'm sure she finishes 15 mins or so before the time is up but she finds something else to do and then calls me to say goodbye. That's when I pay her - at the end of the 3 hours.

Sonoma · 05/02/2015 18:12

I'd find another cleaner. Usually cleaners are very thorough when they start at least! I wouldn't even bother persevering with one that's slapdash and goes home early from day 1.

ProveMeWrong · 05/02/2015 18:23

Good cleaners are like gold dust and if you trust her and she does enough to make the house look clean I would stick honestly. I would hold onto your cash while you can watch her as you say and just raise it if she does it again. It could have been a one or two off occasion if she has family issues or something. I would also get specific about the cleaning things that jiggle you. My cleaners said everyone has their own personal sticking points. For me it was the bathroom mirror, for others it is hoovering under stuff. In two hours you can't deep clean so if there is something you notice that is regularly not up to standard (I.e. Is not cleaned to your standard) tell her. I think it needs to be conversation between you until you click really. I know what o can do in two hours and always wonder how they actually do as much as they did!

ProveMeWrong · 05/02/2015 18:24

Niggle not jiggle!

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