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

[ErNope]

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!)

I do agree that not everyone disabled will be poor though. And that not everyone poor through ill-health will be get passporting benefits - especially not these days.

So you may have to play it a little by ear...

Yanbu. The only people who would think it discriminatory would be the same type who think it's unfair they too don't get to use bb spaces, disabled loos etc. And they're all twats so their opinion doesn't matter.

However I'd suggest you phrase it differently. Eg discounts may be available. Not everyone with one of those will be on a lower income, and you don't want to have to turn down a client who would really benefit because you've filled your quota for discounts.

Discrimination is only illegal if it affects certain groups e.g. racial, religious, sex, sexual orientation, age etc. So what you propose doesn't fall foul on that score.

I'd question whether you have to discount at all? Good cleaners are in demand and I'm not sure a discount would swing it. You could just focus on introductory offers - First two hours half price (as long as further hours booked) or volume discounts - every fifth clean free. To do that you would have to enhance your rates for "normal" cleans.

I think discounting does devalue what you do. People think if you can afford to do it for less, why not do it for less all the time. And if you can do it for free, you can surely afford to charge less.... People tend to think of things from their own point of view.

What about just having a standard rate and then at random points of the year say "This one's on me as a thank you for your business".

Of course it's not discriminatory. How bizarre! Theatre tickets, train tickets, parking, tourist attractions - all those things are cheaper if you're disabled. It's perfectly allowable!

Also a good idea, I would think. Not because it's a nice thing to do (which it is) but because it makes good business sense. You'll get a good reputation and more customers. Two disabled customers paying you £8 each because the first recommended you to the second is better than one paying you £10.

People not dealing with disabilities don't get to grumble about being discriminated against. They are not a protected group. Anyone who did complain should (I've never used this phrase before) check their privilege.

YANBU.

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

My comments would be - does this cover insurance, advertising, travel, cleaning products, breakages [so under insurance excess items] and still enable you to meet minimum wage requirements? I think this is awfully cheap to be honest and would worry you are not meeting legal minimum requirements.

Yanbu. The only people who would think it discriminatory would be the same type who think it's unfair they too don't get to use bb spaces, disabled loos etc. And they're all twats so their opinion doesn't matter. Absolutely.

I wouldn't discount disabled people or the elderly long term. Perhaps offering the first half dozen sessions on a reduced rate as a "hook". There are a lot of hidden costs in running a business.
If you clean offices or other commercial premises, be sure to charge more.
If you are proving equipment and cleaning materials you must charge accordingly.
Professional cleaning is a skilled trade and should not be seen as making a bit of " pin money".

I'm registered disabled & think that is a lovely idea that would really encourage me to use your services too.

I would love a cleaner but can't afford one and really struggle to get it all done.

I wish their were a lot more people like u around. Good luck with your venture. X

That's a great idea! Where are you setting up? We need a cleaner!

I wonder if you could develop a specialism in household care for those with disabilities? So, taking pride in doing things a little differently if needed? For example knowing how to clean disability equipment/ adapted spaces

e.g.
Not finishing cleaning by piling things up in a corner where they become utterly inaccessible (grr! Why would moving away the graduated steps to access a shower be considered helpful in any way! Or pulling off the shower seat and placing it in a cupboard in another room?!).

Or knowing how to clean a toilet with a seat riser attached, which means not wrenching it off and breaking the screw on mechanism, making it unsafe to use, and n exciting surprise as the disabled person has to trust no one has come and broken the only way she can access her own toilet! Or alternatively, not vaguely slooching around the toilet with plastic seat riser fastened on it, without attempting to clean under the toilet rim so even though the toilet is cleaned twice a week it still ends up with black mould and stench!

Etc etc etc.

Just that sensitivity and knowledge would create an amazing 'added value service', imho!

An approach where you just asked how someone needs things left, what causes an issue, what would really help out, would be amazing.

I had to have a carer go round and undo so much of what the cleaners did in order to bring my own flat 'back up to zero' again. Eg plug sockets put back to their usual place, trip hazards, bed covers so I could get into my own bed without causing great pain and problems etc.

Cleaners where briefed on the basics but when it came down to it neither understood nor cared about how they left the flat or what the impact was either positive or negative. This is what happens when cleaners are employed via cleaning agencies unfortunately.

Anyway, I think a discount would be very good, but maybe beyond that, a more bespoke service, not replacing carers, but working with rather than against the way your client needs to use their house.

(Obviously with the right legal disclaimer and insurance so you didn't get the blame for a trip hazard etc)

Ps, not keen on moving to the big smoke are you?!

individual rates. for my flat you should charge at least £20 per hour and danger money. for my mother's house less as it is really tidy (except when we have been)

Maybe only take on clients you would discount for x amount of hours a week iyswim. For example, you have 30 hours a week to fill, 10 of those for discount clients, 20 for full paying. Does that make sense?

I would register with the local authority as a support worker/cleaner for those who make direct payments for care. I think you could charge a lot more.

My LA allocates 45 minutes per fortnight for cleaning of disabled or elderly homes.

They also believe carers should earn less than minimum wage, and cleaners are regarded as even less skilled than carers soooo, I'd steer clear of any direct contact with LAs!

However the need is real so I'd focus on disabled people who decide for themselves how to allocate their direct payment budget, or aren't relying on their council for help.

(Btw any cleaning company round my way won't accept jobs for less than 3hrs a week... So quite where one is supposed to find these miraculous cleaners who want no money but are keen to clean any size or state of dwelling for precisely 22.5 minutes a week is beyond me!)

You're lucky miscellaneous our LA says you have to fund cleaning yourself as it's a non essential service

Official cripple here - its a lovely idea and no its not discriminatory, your friend is being a pissferret.

Your business, you can offer discounts to whoever you like - I do. I offer a discount to people in receipt of benefits, at my discretion.

Which basically means if I like you and think you need it you get it, and if you are loaded and don't need it or you are an asshat, you don't. (the chances of someone getting as far as hiring me and turning out to be an asshat are low though, I have screening methods in place for that).

But what i DONT do is advertise these discounts. Do not do that.

Advertise a discount on long term or block bookings across the board, thats good that hooks people in..

So if someone pays in advance for x sessions, they get x session free or they get x amount off the block booking that they wouldn't get off the individual sessions.

Then if you want to give a client a further discount, thats entirely up to you.

Otherwise the reality is you will end up doing a f*ckton of work for nothing and nothing makes a self employed person bitter and ragey fast like working for nowt.

I would start your business first, then decide when to offer discounts, ideally on a case by case basis

You may find that your business has hidden costs or is more tiring than anticipated so you need/ want to earn a higher rate

When I was a student in a shared house we were horribly disgustingly messy and actually had quite high disposable incomes (we weren't super rich, but were naive with money and didn't have many costs of living so spent most of our money socialising)- it would be a shame to be paid less to clean our hovel!

Absolutely fine to offer discounts for disabled people, but bear in mind that some are working and well off, would this bother you?

How will you know whether someone has the 'passporting' benefit without asking them - which could be embarrassing and intrusive.
Would you give the same discount to poorer pensioners who can get neither DLA/PIP or ESA but may well find it difficult to do many things (particularly if they live alone) and are not rich by any means.
Why not set your stall out without mentioning the discounts and negotiate on an individual basis when you see the circumstances of each customer. - as the pp said !

Will you be paying tax on your earnings?

Gosh MrsGuy what leads you to ask that question?

The OP will need to pay tax unless she earns beneath the tax thresholds.

Are you asking if she's expecting to earn enough to pay tax?

Or are you asking whether the OP is going to cheat on taxes and behave illegally?

Not asking about cheating! Just that in calculating the discounts etc she might be overlooking the actual take-home and so cheating herself!

i've only skimmed, so i haven't seen if anyone else has mentioned it directly.

However, the 2010 Equality Act actually allows you to positively discriminate in favour of those with disabilities... its to do with stopping all this business with non disabled people complaining they dont get the same things the disabled do.

So your friend is right, it IS discrimination, but one there is legal right to do! ;)