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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is cheeky.

46 replies

PoppinsMoppins · 21/06/2017 10:00

My teenage niece does a cleaning job for one of my neighbours, and said neighbour has asked her if she would be interested in babysitting for her as well.

She then said "you could do the cleaning when the kids are asleep, saves you coming over twice"

I think they are two separate things and should be paid separately, and that my neigbour is trying to save herself some cash by taking advantage of a shy teen. My niece wants to say something but isn't really assertive enough to stand her ground.

Is this a normal thing? Or is she being cheeky?

OP posts:
Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 21/06/2017 10:02

Tell niece to write out 2 separate invoices!!
Cheeky woman!!

MissionItsPossible · 21/06/2017 10:12

Well by your post she didn't say she wouldn't pay her for both jobs, just that it would save her coming over twice. If she is trying to get away with paying her one wage, then yes, she's a right cheeky cow.

emmyrose2000 · 21/06/2017 10:16

I agree with you. They should be treated as two separate job and paid accordingly.

deadringer · 21/06/2017 10:19

I too would assume that she will pay her for each job, even though she can do them at the same time. Your niece needs to clarify it with her though.

AnnieOH1 · 21/06/2017 10:22

I would advise your niece (in addition to the above) to make sure that the neighbour realises that if something were to happen with the children then they would take priority over the cleaning but she would still expect payment for both, particularly as it sounds as though she will probably be getting something like 75% wage for both jobs c/w 100% for doing them one after the other. (I call that a win win personally for both and don't see anything wrong with it).

DramaInPyjamas · 21/06/2017 10:26

Make sure everyone is on the same page with regards to separate payments for cleaning / babysitting before she goes over. Neighbour could try worm out of it and take advantage by feigning innocence

NellieFiveBellies · 21/06/2017 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IHeartDodo · 21/06/2017 10:44

Be clear on rates!
eg babysitting is £6 /hr
Cleaning is £8 / hr
Both is £12 / hr but takes longer to clean.

(apologies if I'm out of touch on figures, been a while since I babysat!)

JimmyChoosChimichanga · 21/06/2017 10:44

Niece needs to be unavailable for either cleaning or babysitting from now on - what a cheek!

FakePlasticTeaLeaves · 21/06/2017 10:48

Agree with Nellie, set rates clearly for each job from the off-set.
Cheeky, cheeky!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 21/06/2017 10:50

What a chancer - two separate jobs absolutely.

eddielizzard · 21/06/2017 10:53

yes 2 separate jobs, but she could give her a high quote for doing cleaning while babysitting as IHeartDodo suggested.

expatinscotland · 21/06/2017 10:54

Do NOT bother trying to set two different rates, be clear etc. blah blah blah because people like this will always try to fuck people like your niece over. This woman will come up with some excuse not to pay separate or I don't have the cash blah blah blah.

'Thanks, but I'll stick to the cleaning. I'd prefer to focus on just the one thing and cleaning's it for me.' And then repeat. NO babysitting. 'You could save yourself . . .' 'Thanks, but I'll stick to cleaning.'

Louiselouie0890 · 21/06/2017 10:55

Did she say she was only paying her the once? Your post doesn't say

araiwa · 21/06/2017 10:58

If she means come over for 4 hours once instead of coming for an hour one day and three the next day that seems a good and kind gesture

The op is not clear so i dunno id bu

BernadetteBunny · 21/06/2017 10:59

If your niece is cleaning she wouldn't be babysitting, would she? She can't do both at the same time. What a crafty stupid idea from the neighbour Confused

expatinscotland · 21/06/2017 11:00

I love confronting cheeky fuckers like this, though. 'I heard you asked X to clean for you at the same time as babysitting (giggle a little). Aren't you sly as a fox. You're planning to pay for both, aren't you? It'd be pretty cheeky not to.'

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 21/06/2017 12:08

How old are these kids she's supposed to be babysitting? I don't see how she can look after children properly while cleaning.

My cleaner suggested that she be a nanny for my babies when they were born (at a different rate of course) and said she would still get the cleaning done. Sorry but my kids need a higher level of care than watching someone wander around wiping benches.

But yes, this woman is trying to take advantage.

CorbynsBumFlannel · 21/06/2017 12:13

If she's expecting your niece to clean when the kids are asleep for regular babysitting rate then that's massively cheeky and your dd needs to tell her how much she wants paying for doing both jobs. I think an amount that is slightly less than she would pay for the 2 jobs seperately would be fair. It is less hours for your niece to work and does save her going twice.

rollonthesummer · 21/06/2017 12:16

She just needs to say babysitting is £x an hour and cleaning is £y.

kissmethere · 21/06/2017 12:22

Two separate jobs and her neighbour is trying to save on the cash. Your niece can't really give the kids all her attention if she is also doing the cleaning. What if they're ill or need extra tucking in.
Neighbour is a chancer and she shouldn't be trying to take advantage of your niece.

Chloe84 · 21/06/2017 12:30

From OP's it sounds like (but is not clear) that the neighbour expects a twofer.

Agree that they are two separate jobs and niece needs to be clear on rates (in writing).

Birdsgottaf1y · 21/06/2017 12:31

The issue would be if your Niece started cleaning jobs, but couldn't finish, because one of the children had an issue, so couldn't finish and didn't get paid for the cleaning.

It would be better for a fixed rate for her time in total, once the children are asleep.

We are all assuming that she isn't go to pay more, but this could be good practise for your Niece, who will one day have to be assertive in working matters.

BangkokBlues · 21/06/2017 12:31

My boss does this!!!!

He gets paid like, several £mill a year and gets his cleaner to come in the evening to babysit and clean for the same rate as normal cleaning.

He couldn't understand why I thought he was exploiting his cleaner.

He is notoriously tight.

Pinkheart5912 · 21/06/2017 12:35

She needs to say " well ok it's £x for both the babysitting & cleaning"

It is two seprete jobs and your niece deserves paying for both!

Unfortunately there is always someone that will take advantage if you let them.