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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Let down by cleaner-really angry

66 replies

CleanGetaway · 31/03/2017 17:57

We've had the same lady clean for us for a few years now. Was reliable and trustworthy

Lately she has been leaving early with an excuse then saying as well that also has babysitting and needed time to get to next job. It was often half an hour so I said nothing.
Booked extra hours for this weekend (it's usually 5 hrs each Saturday) and she told me today (b short notice) that she cancelling this weekend as had an offer of work for more hours and needs the money ?

AIBU to be really angry and considering ending her employment with us ? We are booked in every week at same time so we should be the priority not messed about all the time

I'm especially angry as really needed help this week in particular so it's upset me

OP posts:
Notthemessiah · 31/03/2017 20:49

The peasants are revolting - so hard to get decent help these days. Maybe your pastries just aren't up to scratch?

Original poster
CleanGetaway · 31/03/2017 21:24

It's definitely not my pastries .... they're amazing Grin

OP posts:
podrig · 01/04/2017 08:24

Well I would be furious and without any mitigating info I would bin them.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 01/04/2017 08:28

Unless she's ill cancelling on such short notice is really bad form.

I am surprised she's risking a long term arrangement with you for the sake a few extra hours though.

Clnz4fun · 01/04/2017 09:05

It is bad form op, I'd stick with a long standing and reliable client over new ones any day. Seems like she has got too complacent and yanbu to be frustrated over it.

A talk with her might make her think to being more professional and or if your arrangement no longer suits her but otherwise I would look for another cleaner.

GloGirl · 01/04/2017 09:10

Can you phone her today and explain your disappointmental? Perhaps she can clean whilst you're having your surgery so it's clean when you get back?

Sort all the laundry out and pack your bags when babysitter is there.

TupperwareTat · 01/04/2017 09:10

Leave the house looking awful, go to the pub Wine

Original poster
CleanGetaway · 01/04/2017 09:23

Got a text at 730....the other clients furniture hadn't arrived so they didn't need her for extra cleaning anymore and could she come to me as originally planned but onlynif I still wanted her to come??!! .....the time of the test is very much tail between legs. I said yes and I will be having a chat with her when she arrives about the fact we've had this weekly slot for a long time and would expect to be treated equally to other clients not dropped and picked up when it suits

Dh said "why didnt she just say she was ill if she wanted to prioritise someone else as this way she's made it so obvious we are bottom of the pile ??"

OP posts:
Original poster
CleanGetaway · 01/04/2017 09:23

Time of test should read tone of text

OP posts:
supermoon100 · 01/04/2017 09:30

Annoying yes but it's only a minor inconvenience in the scheme of life. I wouldn't get angry about it

Original poster
CleanGetaway · 01/04/2017 09:43

I think yesterday as I'd planned things down to the last minute so I'm organised for surgery and recovery it really threw me !

OP posts:
DanglyEarOrnaments · 01/04/2017 09:44

super yes but it's important op nips this in the bud as peoplle will treat you how you teach them they can and I strongly suggest she asks for more due respect from the cleaner, it's just basic manners and professional conduct to honour a booked spot.

Clean I am glad you are going to say this to her, clients should never be left feeling 'bottom of the pile'. It was unkind and thoughtless of her and it needs to be pointed out. It is kind of you to give her this chance to improve her behaviour and maybe she will think twice in future an be able to offer a better service because you have explained how this made you feel.

I hope that she takes on board what you are saying and you can go forward with her on-side with this in future.

MackerelOfFact · 01/04/2017 09:51

It's annoying that she cancelled for a better offer, but if she's working several jobs then it does sound like the she's probably struggling for money, and I can understand the temptation to take a better-paying job.

I totally get that you're stressed and anxious about your surgery and want everything clean beforehand, but at this stage she hasn't taken your money so doesn't actually owe you a service. Likewise, you don't owe her yourloyalty if she isn't loyal to you.

Good that she can come after all though. Perhaps mention that you want to keep your usual slot though, and if she isn't able to continue to reliably commit to the appointments then you may need to look elsewhere.

MackerelOfFact · 01/04/2017 09:54

FWIW I get irrationally furious when my carefully-laid plans get thwarted, even if it's caused by something completely unavoidable, like traffic or illness or something!

TanteJeanne · 01/04/2017 09:54

I think you just have to tell her how important the cleaning is to you and ask her can she commit to those hours or not. If not, find someone who can.

eddielizzard · 01/04/2017 09:55

it's unprofessional.

i would say that it's not great she's messing you around so much. is there anything that's bothering her? chance to clear air. then you have chance to rectify any problems and after that if she continues being flaky i'd give her notice.

floraeasy · 01/04/2017 09:59

It is unprofessional and I'm not surprised you are angry. With upcoming surgery too, you must be pretty stressed.

On the other hand, your cleaner is doing hand-to-mouth work with no security, no sick pay, no holiday pay, pension rights, etc and is probably trying to juggle a lot of stuff in order to make a living.

That's not your problem, of course, but if she's always been reliable and trustworthy and this has happened out of the blue, maybe she has some money problems. She may be trying to be all things to all people and has overreached herself and managed it badly.

It might be worth a chat. If she's been great for years, it would be a shame to just lose her like this.

supermoon100 · 01/04/2017 10:03

It's unprofessional but what we are talking about is the difference between a clean house and a dirty house. It's not like a surgeon cancelling brain surgery. I would not be angry about a dirty house, irritated perhaps.

Edballsisoneniftydancer · 01/04/2017 10:10

Have you been paying her adequetely? Have you raised her salary during all these years? Nope?

Irrationally angry...I'll tell you what makes me irrationally angry, Neon it's PA goady shit like this. How DARE you second guess the OP in this way? Yes in the scheme of things this is probably not a huge problem, and MAYBE the cleaner has had a bellyful or at least needs to put her own first, but how can you possibly assume the OP has behaved badly over the years.

Do you have the back story? Do you know anything about OP's illness Nope?

And ....breathe.....

Grenoble124 · 01/04/2017 10:11

This is very poor form. I had a cleaner for a while after I had ds. She changed day unexpectedly and it was vert inconvenient. I had got baby ready to go out. Dogs minded etc. You could do without this. I'd be telling her what you expect and if it doesn't suit her get somebody else.

Edballsisoneniftydancer · 01/04/2017 10:14

Oh and enough of this 'annoying when the lower orders won't toe the line' inverted snobbery crap: I am picking up a really nasty tone form some posters that the OP thinks she is somehow better than the cleaner.

BULLSHIT. In this they are totally equals. One is providing a service (or not) , the other is paying for it (or not) . That is all

DanglyEarOrnaments · 01/04/2017 10:18

Have you been paying her adequetely? Have you raised her salary during all these years? Nope?

Wow Neon - i've only just seen this!! You do realise cleaners are self employed and decide their OWN rates don't you? We do not get paid a 'salary' we are not employees of the client we are service providers who decide upon the cost of providing such service plus profit from which we pay OURSELVES a wage.

If we make a mistake in costing out our service and undercharge a client then that would be errrrm ... oh yes - OUR OWN FAULT. Not the poor client who just paid up the price we set for our services in good faith that we would honour our bookings.

How strange that anyone would think otherwise!

DanglyEarOrnaments · 01/04/2017 10:19

Edballs I salute you Smile

Edballsisoneniftydancer · 01/04/2017 10:19

Dangly Quality. That is all. Quality.

Edballsisoneniftydancer · 01/04/2017 10:20

Dangly One awesome post crossing!

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