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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can't believe my cleaner just asked me this?!

179 replies

marplessparkles · 08/03/2017 19:00

Cleaner texted me to ask if I could pay her cash this week (£60). I said sure, is it just for this week or is this something you want to do every week?

She replied if I could do it every week because she found out she and her partner can get housing benefit if she can prove she has a lower income, so obviously not declaring or paying tax on her cash jobs.

I'm a bit Shock On a moral and ethical level I can't see how she is so blatantly happy in doing this; ripping of hard working taxpayers and councils who will have to fund her benefits.

AIBU to let her go?

OP posts:
buckyou · 08/03/2017 21:17

Isn't that just what a lot of people do who do that kind of self employed work? I don't think it means she's a dodgy character or anything. She's probably just trying to get a bit more money in for her family. Doubt she's rolling in it!

KoalaDownUnder · 08/03/2017 21:17

Pay her cash, keep notes, report her for benefit fraud a few months in.

Can't believe people actually think like this.

Depressing as fuck.

HarryPottersMagicWand · 08/03/2017 21:18

Costalot1 I think you are pretty disgusting tbh. I have to fight tooth and nail for the benefits I get, I'm always honest and I'm about to lose them because of the shitty system yet people like your cleaner, and you who supports them, claim benefits and works cash in hand. But as long as you get a cheap cleaner eh. Angry If you can afford a cleaner, you can afford to have some fucking morals.

fulloffunreally · 08/03/2017 21:19

@NoArmani.

Very true. If I were the cleaner, and I was asked why cash? I would have said untruthfully of course, that my OH was financially abusing me, and the only access to money I have is this job. Thank you so much Ms. Clutch your Pearls.

I'll see you Monday same time so.

Finding it hard to believe now. But stranger things have happened. Maybe cleaner got on really well with OP and if so, is rewarded by being sacked now.

The whole world thrives on the Shadow Economy. May not be right, but it does.

There will be no cleaners left soon!

HarryPottersMagicWand · 08/03/2017 21:20

You have a shitty attitude as well buck. As long as everyone else does it and is just after a bit more cash then it's all fine. No it's fucking well not and it's people like this which is why benefits have been clamped down on so much. Still not affecting those who know how to play the system though.

Rubies12345 · 08/03/2017 21:22

It's benefit fraud. Report her.

gillybeanz · 08/03/2017 21:24

Who'd tell their employer they were going to commit fraud? Hmm
Wondered how long it would take for a benefit bashing thread to be started today. Sad

quizqueen · 08/03/2017 21:24

I don't agree very much with the current benefits system as it's far too generous and deters many people looking for full time work so I would say to her that I certainly don't condone anyone trying to fiddle it so I no longer require your services.

fulloffunreally · 08/03/2017 21:24

Ah clean your own fekkin houses why don't you?

Are you too lazy to do it yourselves or what?

Hateloggingin · 08/03/2017 21:27

Too rich fulloffunreally obviously Hmm

buckyou · 08/03/2017 21:29

I have a shitty attitude? Just not something I can get worked up over - and people saying that she should pay cash and keep notes then report!? Is that not shitty??

Fucking people on their high horse who can't wait to screw people over. That's Shitty in my book.

For the record I pay my taxes and pay my cleaner by bank transfer so assume she pays her taxes too!

mamma12 · 08/03/2017 21:30

I wouldn't risk it. She sounds pretty dishonest. You would run the risk that she could turn around and claim you didn't pay her not to mention the fact that you would also arguably be committing a crime. I would ask her whether she's having money problems and if so direct her to a free debt advice charity.

winobaglady · 08/03/2017 21:31

one word- integrity. Hers and yours....

gandalf456 · 08/03/2017 21:33

I find it hard to get excited about benefit fraud on this scale when big business avoids tax perfectly legally via loopholes the time and it's not just a few quid a week - it's millions

Redpoll · 08/03/2017 21:34

There's an awful lot of people posting on here who have cleaners.

I wonder if I am missing out on something here.

Mind you with the amount of full time working couples out there I would imagine it's a usual bit of help against what it costs?

Userone1 · 08/03/2017 21:34

Gillybranz exactly!

Would you like cash this week? Yes please as I'm planning on claiming housing benefit, which I know I'm not entitled to, however I'm going to declare a lower income.

All in writing too, to a person who's house you clean once a week!

Then doesn't post on her own thread again 🙄

PurpleDaisies · 08/03/2017 21:34

Ah clean your own fekkin houses why don't you?
Are you too lazy to do it yourselves or what?

Is this supposed to be a joke? Hmm

gandalf456 · 08/03/2017 21:34

And I don't think she's going to nick your stuff just because she wants cash in hand. It's completely different .

gillybeanz · 08/03/2017 21:36

There's a huge difference between playing the system and breaking the law though.
Most people i know, including myself either play the system or make good use of the situation if they are entitled to benefit.

If this is indeed true the cleaner will be found out if she is breaking the law, but I find it sad that so many people are that bitter towards people who receive benefits.
I often think it's because they aren't happy with their own decisions in life.

fulloffunreally · 08/03/2017 21:36

Anyone who can afford a cleaner is not on benefits.

They should sit back every day after the cleaner is finished and thank their stars they can afford such help.

The holier than thou attitude is sickening.

FGS what about our mad peers on 300 quid a day for sleeping off the night before in the Chamber. Ah but.... they are the "elites" you see. Such double standards. And there are so many more.

But kick a cleaner why don't you, that's easy.

Such judgemental attitudes. But it's well after wine o'clock now, and the nanny has the kids sorted I suppose.

PurpleDaisies · 08/03/2017 21:36

Mind you with the amount of full time working couples out there I would imagine it's a usual bit of help against what it costs?

That's why we got ours. We were both really busy with work and didn't want to spend the little free time we had cleaning.

NewnessMoo · 08/03/2017 21:37

Harry I agree with you!

MuseumOfCurry · 08/03/2017 21:39

I really can't get worked up over this.

My cleaner goes to the job centre before she comes to clean for me...and I know she works pretty much full time cleaning. All cash in hand. Yes it's somewhat annoying but I pay her £6 an hour and she's honest and reliable.

Despicable. Please do have a think about what sort of life your cleaner might have on £6/hr.

parrots · 08/03/2017 21:40

Speaking of tax avoidance, I'm always astonished by the way those cash only Korean/Vietnamese nail bars seem to fly under the radar of HMRC/ home office. They seem so brazen

HollywoodStunt · 08/03/2017 21:40

The benefits system is far too generous???????

Words fail me

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