Should I still pay cleaner?

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My cleaner usually comes on a Friday but there is SO much snow around us and I really don't think it's safe for her to travel (she drives, there is no public transport to where we live). I am going to text her and tell her not to come because I don't want her risking the journey.

My question is, should I still pay her for the time? We have no contract or anything so no paperwork governing the situation. I just leave money when she comes. But I expect she's missing a lot of work in this weather and so she might be struggling. And obviously it's my decision to tell her not to come and it's late in the day to cancel, so she can't fill the slot somewhere else.

So... should I leave double money for her next week even tho she's not going to work tomorrow? Or am I being patronising / worrying too much about nothing? Or is it the least I can do given that I am cancelling her at the last minute?

Thanks for advice! x

Yes you pay her.

As you are cancelling her I would still pay her

I’d pay definitely

I will be paying mine and she won’t get here tomorrow

I’d say general rule is she cancels don’t pay, you cancel you pay. Not sure what untoward travel conditions dictate.

Yes pay her

I was in the Red area today and my cleaner was going to come. I told her not to and paid her (ive don’t usually pay for illness or holidays). To me this was exceptional circumstances and not being able to work for 2/3would have a big impact on her.

Definitely pay her. You sound lovely to work for.

I do what Through does with mine.

As you are cancellling you should pay and yes it is a bit patronising for you to decide whether it’s unsafe for another adult to drive .

Your call, you pay.

If I cancel or there are circumstances such as at present I will pay my cleaner but don't if she cancels.

Yes she needs to be paid. If it's possible for her to come, say, on Monday, you could rearrange but only if it's mutually convenient.

I don't think she'll mind being told not to drive, provided she's not out of pocket.

Thanks everyone! It's helpful to know what everyone else does!

@floralnomad only because where we live is rural and in a dip, so conditions are often worse here than places that are even just a couple of miles away. We haven't been out so don't know what it's like elsewhere, but as she doesn't live close by she wouldn't necessarily know how bad it is here

I wouldnt pay my cleaner if she didnt come. Shes self employed. I dont pay her sick pay or holiday pay. I only pay her when she works.
I told mine today that if she wanted to do it a different day that was fine,

Ask her if she could make the hours up next week? That way she still gets her money and you get a few extra jobs done (ironing? Deep clean?) when I was a nanny if I couldn't get in most of my families would pay as normal and I'd do extra hours the following week so I wasn't out of pocket and they hasn't paid for something they hadn't had. You must pay as she is likely relying on that money

@plannumber and @anothersuitcase that's a good suggestion! I'll ask if there is a time next week that suits her instead

I'd pay her x think it's unfair not to

Yes I would pay. Despite it not being contractual it’s fair and the right thing to do. So hard to find a good cleaner that it will pay your dividends if she’s feels treated well and loyal to you.

@rollonweekend so true, she's great and I would hate to lose her and to think she wasn't treated fairly!

Pay her and you'll keep her sweet. Well worth it if she's a good cleaner and possibly that money will be vital to her but just spends to you? Also paying her will give you the warm fuzzies so well worth it.

I would pay her also - especially if she was someone that had cleaned for me for a while and/or someone I would hate to lose.

I'm a cleaner, I haven't cleaned any houses this week due to the schools bring off and being on red alert. I could cry when I think of how much money I've lost this week, I don't expect to be paid if I don't clean.

Yes, but I also pay mine holiday pay.