Can I trust my cleaner?

[Boffin90]

Over the last 2 years there have been a couple of times I have overpaid my cleaner (one overpayment was an extra £50) into her account. This has occurred on occasions I have needed to pay multiple people for various things and made a few mix ups. My cleaner has never mentioned to me when this has happened. I have always made the discovery. I know she checks her account as if it hasn’t gone into her account by the next morning she messages me. (I have never been late with her payment, it’s always been her bank causing some delay on showing her side).
I will be setting up a standing order but it makes me wonder if I can trust her. An overpayment error does not mean you’re entitled to the extra money!
AIBU or would you feel uneasy that someone is not willing to confess you have given them too much?

[Givemeallthechocolate]

It's possible she doesn't check the exact amount against what she's due, maybe she's written it off as some refund, or a bill not having been taken out on time.

It's also possible that she thinks you've overpaid when you bring it up, and she just thinks the next payment would be short.

I always give the benefit of the doubt, but have been taken for a fool many times, has anything ever gone missing when she's been in? Does it appear she's working the full time she's paid for, if there are no issues with either of these areas I'd just draw a line under it and try to carry on as normal.

[pigeondujour]

*Pardon me, but I challenge you not to have your head in the clouds at times!
Humans make mistakes. Mistakes occur! *

Are you seriously not seeing the irony in that statement? Just pay her the right money, every single time, then it won't be an issue, will it?

[coddiwomple]

2 mistakes in 2 years! I am human!

still unacceptable I am afraid. How would you feel if you heard that from the finance department processing your own pay, or from a surgeon!

Yes, mistakes happen, but you do sound unreasonable to blame your cleaner following your own mistakes! The poor woman hasn't done anything wrong here!

[Dobopdidoo1]

Rara

Going with what you say about not noticing £50 extra then it’s unlikely she would notice £60 less either.

But the OP has stated that when payment is delayed, she flags it up straightaway so she clearly does check her account, not just her balance.

[Dairymilkmuncher]

If she cleans for a lot of people she is probably used to getting some extra cash now and again as a thank you/tip/bonus. I know I've given my cleaners extra when I feel guilty the place wasn't clean enough for them. I've also received extra cash when I used to do cash in hand work

Please just set up a standing order and don't make any more mistakes unless you are willing for her to keep the extra cash it is a shame for her to think she's getting a bonus for you to then take it away a couple days later

[Jaxhog]

Unfortunately, not everyone is good with money. You clearly aren't! She may not have spotted it, or may be waiting for you to ask/explain. It doesn't mean she is dishonest.

If the overpayment is recent i.e. in the last 3-4 weeks, - adjust your future payments accordingly. But do tell her before you do it.

If it's longer ago, put it down to experience. But make sure you pay her correctly from now on.

[redstararnie76]

I don't think you deserve a hammering; as you say it's 2 mistakes - that's understandable. On the flip side, however, it's feasible that your cleaner may have missed this twice too. I tend to check my account to see if I've received a payment - I don't always clock the amount I've been paid unless I'm specifically looking for it. As this has happened twice, I don't think I would be overly concerned - as isolated events - it would depend on whether other things were also causing me concern. Is there anything else that makes you uncomfortable/suspicious?

[Boffin90]

Context:
This lady won’t set up a DD for he bill payments by her own admission as she can’t be sure the money will be in her bank to pay them. So she makes her monthly payments at different times.
She pays for an expensive hobby that she considers a priority. I’m not judging but it adds weight to the argument that she keeps track of her account closely. Close enough that if my payments don’t show the next morning (not my error) she messages me and I send her a screenshot of her payment.

I am her only employer so there are not multiple payments going into her account.

I agree with Dopopdidoo but I posted here for opinions and I can honestly say it makes you not want to employ people.

By some of these statements when she has had breakages (which she never offers to pay for) instead of saying “don’t worry, mistakes happen” I should be asking her to pay.

[coddiwomple]

She pays for an expensive hobby that she considers a priority

you are digging yourself a massive hole here.
Your posts are now coming up with more unreasonable judgements, vague excuses and you are losing all little sympathy I have. Now you are saying that she breaks thing. Well, don't keep her then, no one is making you.

As an employer, your main responsibility is to pay people! If you can't get that right and you don't accept that a mistake is really not acceptable, no you shouldn't employ anyone indeed.

[Boffin90]

No, nothing else going on.
I will continue to give her the benefit of the doubt. I wouldn’t get rid of her on this basis alone but I wanted to see if these events make anyone feel uncomfortable too.
I do feel it odd but the mistakes were mine and I wouldn’t let her lose her job over them.

[Boffin90]

Her breakages are mistakes was my point. We all make them!

[Boffin90]

I don’t believe I’m digging myself a massive hole at all. Her hobby is her choice. What she does in her own time isn’t my business.
The point was made to explain that by her own admission she is somebody that keeps a close eye on her money.

[Viviennemary]

I think I'd pay her by cheque or cash. And stop the bonuses. You are just far too generous and she probably thinks you are paying her a bit extra for doing a good job. I don't really think you can blame the cleaner if you keep getting amounts wrong and pay her extra sometimes.

If you think it's deliberate dishonesty then get a different cleaner. And agree she might get statements every three months and only check to make sure the payment has gone in and once it has she doesn't check again.

[Ilovetolurk]

Honestly OP if these were my cockups I would have mentioned them as soon as I realised taking the onus off the cleaner

[ADishBestEatenCold]

I don't really think there is any indication that she is being dishonest ... it's very likely that she is in a similar situation to a previous poster and only receives a statement ever three months.
In that case it seems very reasonable that she might (say when drawing money out of her account) notice that you hadn't made a payment at all (in that it was late), but otherwise not notice the exact amounts of payments until she checks her statements.

It's great that you treat this person well , but (while I do think paying £12 an hour is probably fair) I don't think it's overly generous, so don't really get whatever point you are making there.

[StickThatInYourPipe]

Boffin90

In all honesty, when I check to see if my wages have been paid, I just look at the name and see money is there. I wouldn’t notice if I had an extra £50 or really even if it was the same short. If when you mention it she gives it back without making a fuss, I wouldn’t worry about it.

[Dobopdidoo1]

I think it’s a bit harsh to keep berating the OP for making 2 accidental overpayments. If it was underpayment then that would be a different matter.
But all she is asking is if she is being unreasonable to wonder if her cleaner kept quiet about the overpayment.

[coddiwomple]

Her breakages are mistakes was my point. We all make them!

but is she blaming you for the breakages? Buying things too fragile, putting them at the wrong place? That would be as unreasonable.

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

If it was underpayment then that would be a different matter.

It was an underpayment - the poor gardener.

[AutumnTreesThroughTheWindow]

it’s arguable that she thinks it’s a bonus but I personally would question any overpayments to myself without presumption.

Maybe you would, but that doesn't mean everyone else would.

You have made 2 mistakes in 2 years. Not a huge crime, but she shouldn't be having to chase you for late payments either.

If you pay her too much that's you out of pocket, if you pay her late, she is out of pocket and if you feel like you're losing money, then you might organise yourself properly. Your poor financial management is not her responsibility.

I wonder how many times in that 2 years you've been late with her wages?

[LaurieMarlow]

Your mistake not hers. Why is she getting slack?

Sort out your own shortcomings as an employer. It's not fair to make mistakes with people's wages as someone said up thread. I paid a nanny for two years and never once had a problem.

[Boffin90]

Negligent Blimey! A bit strong!

Obviously you are completely infallible and bloody perfect!

Get a little perspective.
I am saying I find it uncomfortable that she is quiet on 2 overpayments but is straight on the phone to mention the next morning that her money isn’t there when her bank delays it.

I’m not asking if I should get rid of the woman over it. I wouldn’t do that.

I can’t be 100% sure that she realised before I did and decided to keep quiet.
I am merely presenting the facts and asking if it would leave anyone else feeling a little uncomfortable if it happened to them.

[Boffin90]

If you make a comment! Read the posts please!
I have NEVER once been late with a payment.

[TonicandLime]

Maybe she's as shit at checking her account as you are \about making the correct payments.