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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this isn't discriminatory against non disabled people?

50 replies

ErNope · 27/06/2016 20:55

I used to be a cleaner to make ends meet, and after just losing my job I'll be going back to it as there is such limited work in the area for my job. I will be fully insured/ already CRB checked and experienced and referenced...
I'm looking to charge between 9-10.50 per hour, dependent on location of the customer, the going rate in my area is about 10 per hour (not sure if relevant)
I was hoping to implement a few discounts, as well as introductory rate for first 1-2 cleans I was hoping to do a student discount and heres the 'problem' (that I can't really see) a 15-25 percent discount(Haven't looked at the numbers enough to know the exact discount I can give, But this is the rough goal I've set) for anyone in receipt of Carers allowance/ESA/DLA/A blue badge holder, plus maybe a few other extras (1 extra hour of cleaning per 5 hours booked) In order to make my own ends meet (the entire purpose of this) I only have to charge £6.80-7.45 per hour, anything over that is 'extra' so I don't mind giving the odd discount here and there.
I thought this was a nice/good idea, as while some people who are disabled/sick don't struggle with it, I know from limited experiences some can find it very very difficult. I was hoping this would both boost business and help out those in need.
However I asked a friend, who is not a cleaner anymore but used to be, what she thought and if she had done similar and if so did it work well etc.
I've been given a right roasting and told its discriminatory to the non disabled? Would this offend you? I'm pretty sure I'm not being U, but I'm doubting myself a bit (and will happily accept I am being U if I am!)

OP posts:
CreepyPasta · 27/06/2016 20:57

YANBU. That's s lovely thought and I'm sure your clients will appreciate it

CreepyPasta · 27/06/2016 20:58

a

MsMargaretCarter · 27/06/2016 20:59

You're self employed and presumably can set a rate unique to each customer - I can't see why you'd be obliged to charge everyone the same? I have had a cleaner and never thought to ask her how much she charged other people.

Original poster
ErNope · 27/06/2016 20:59

Thank you creepypasta, thats encouraging, fingers crossed you're not the only one who thinks that! :)

OP posts:
FarelyKnuts · 27/06/2016 21:00

Sounds like a brilliant idea. Only problem I can see is you being inundated. I guess you'd have to set a maximum number of discounted clients vs full price to make a decent profit

DesignedForLife · 27/06/2016 21:03

Sounds great, very generous and considerate of you.

PausingFlatly · 27/06/2016 21:03

That's a really generous thought, and I'm sure will be much appreciated by your disabled clients - jobs like cleaning can be hard one way or another for a lot of disabled people.

I have (and pay for) a Disabled Person's Railcard that gets me a discount on the railways, so it's clearly something permitted by discrimination legislation.

zoobeedoo · 27/06/2016 21:04

Great idea, total respect for you for doing it

Original poster
ErNope · 27/06/2016 21:05

Thank you all to the PP who said about me being inundated I will definitely need to find a way to implement that (Sorry can't get your name, on mobile so can't scroll up without my phone playing funny buggers!) as I wouldn't really like to offer everyone a discount, if I did whats the point of having a full price lol.
Glad I haven't been told I'm on glue :D

OP posts:
GinThief · 27/06/2016 21:07

Yanbu. If you're in south Wales can I book you in Grin

Original poster
ErNope · 27/06/2016 21:08

GinThief, I actually am Grin CF37

OP posts:
MiscellaneousAssortment · 27/06/2016 21:08

Equality doesn't mean 'the same'. I wish people would understand this as it opens up a 'I want what they have' mentality that allows non-disabled people to believe that those thieving disabled people have it so easy. Bleugh. If only they knew how revoltingly ignorant they sounded.

I think you have a very thoughtful idea and hope you can make a go of it.

WhereDoAllTheCalculatorsGo · 27/06/2016 21:08

You can't discriminate against the non-disabled (despite what my boss might think)
Don't sell yourself short though. I'm a high-earning professional wheelchair user, why would I get a discount?

Sootica · 27/06/2016 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GinThief · 27/06/2016 21:11

Yay. Im in CF24 and on the hunt for a fortnightly cleaner due to poor health. If I am within your travel radius would you PM me? Smile

AntiHop · 27/06/2016 21:11

I think that's a very generous and kind thing for you to do.

emotionsecho · 27/06/2016 21:12

What a lovely idea, OP, and no I don't think it's discriminatory to non disabled people I don't know why on earth your friend thought that.

As others have said the amount you charge is between you and your customer/client so there is no need for others to be any the wiser. I would, however, not let your friend know what you are doing as she sounds like someone who could cause you problems.

Good luck with your new venture, I too think you will do very well and build a solid loyal client base very quickly.

LaurieFairyCake · 27/06/2016 21:14

You can do exactly what you like - I charge people £10 for exactly the same service I charge £60 for occasionally (because they need it and it's my business and I can do what I like)

allegretto · 27/06/2016 21:15

It's very generous but I wouldn't do it. IT's going to cause you loads of problems and really cuts out your profit. Don't offer a discount to anyone you are devaluing your work. If you want to volunteer (which is great) do it completely separately.

Original poster
ErNope · 27/06/2016 21:18

Gin You're in by the skin of your teeth! Will PM you as soon as I get home onto laptop, which will be around 10. My phone hates me being social, you see ;)
(Cries in a corner hoping MNHQ don't shout at me as I've accidentally just solicited for business)
Thanks everyone and I've accidentally just got a customer, oopsy daisy.

OP posts:
PausingFlatly · 27/06/2016 21:26

Mm. From the client point of view, being someone's "volunteer project" can be problematic.

If you're not paying, it's not the same business relationship. Because it's always "a favour", you always have to feel terribly grateful, you don't feel you can ask for things to be just the way you need them, and you're more likely to be ditched in weeks something else comes up.

Really and truly, for something as core as cleaning, I'd prefer to pay someone (and be very grateful for the discount), than rely on a volunteer.

PausingFlatly · 27/06/2016 21:28

Sorry, that was to allegretto.

I really don't think having discount rates for selected clients is devaluing your work - it's a pretty common across many fields.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 27/06/2016 21:28

That's a really nice thought! I'm sure you'll get loads of customers!

Your friend who is saying you're 'discriminating' against able bodied is talking horse s**t...

One of the worse things of having bad health/disabilities is not having the ability to do stuff others take for granted.... If I'm able - bodied I can choose whether to clean my own flat... Given bad enough health I have no choice... Either pay or live in crap!

It's your business, you can charge different rates...! Please do it!

I think your idea of x hours for price of y, or pay up front/book up front and get a discount seems more normalising?

Good luck!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 27/06/2016 21:31

PS I would guess people who fall between the cracks would most benefit.. People whose health varies, people just out of hospital...

Some people with severe disabilities are ok financially.

Tiggeryoubastard · 27/06/2016 21:31

Hats a lovely thought, but don't sell yourself too cheaply. On the other hand, if you we're offering student discounts I'd not use you as I'd feel I was subsidising their discount. There's no reason to give that discount.