Cleaner doing less hours than agreed

[ohbabybabybabyoh]

Got a new cleaner about 3 months ago & suggested she do 2.5 hours weekly as our previous cleaner had done. She advised she needed 3 hours to do things properly and after 2 months, said she'd give it a go doing 2.5 hours to show us what could be done. Things were left untouched during the 2.5 hour visit (the house was hoovered but no surfaces touched) so we agreed she'd stick with 3 hours. However, during the visits she generally does a good job.

Today DM was around & she did 2 hours before making excuses & leaving. When I mentioned it to PIL they said oh yes as matter of fact she's been doing around 2 hours every week (they are around providing temporary childcare). I've sent a polite message around lunchtime to say that I understand if she has commitments meaning she cannot work for 3 hours but we'd rather not pay for 3 hours if this isn't being done which appears to be consistently the case. She hasn't responded to the message (usually replies right away so not sure she will ever respond...). DH is worried because she has a key but I feel completely taken for a fool. She told me at the start that she was honest and how other cleaners would say they needed more time for more money & how she would never do that etc. She messages every time she comes telling me she's spent 3 hours and the amount she wants transferred It's more of a what would you do than AIBU. I'm torn as to whether to let her continue as she does a good job but on the other hand she's dishonest & not sure we should willingly let someone into our home although DH is worried if we ask her not to return & to immediately return our key, that she can cut a key & have access to our home (we got expensive new locks fitted a week ago so not keen to have to change again...typical!)

I have just had that with my cleaner. I pay for four hours and recently found out she’s started only doing 2-2.5. (I’m never home when she arrives so she thought I wouldn’t notice).

Step one is to keep records for a few weeks so you have the evidence.
Step two is to speak to her in person. Inconvenient texts can be ignored. “Say, I’ve started keeping records of your hours and I’ve noticed you have only been doing x. What’s going on?” See what she has to say. It might be that now she’s been copped she will be apologetic and promise to pull up her socks, like ours did - or she might quit.

Step three is, only pay her once you have verified how long she’s done. Don’t take her word for it anymore. Tell her you will be keeping an eye on it.

Ours has been fine since doing all this.

Sack and get another one. You are an employer, entitled to get rid if they aren't keeping to their terms. Christmas Eve dismissal as a present.

I would really feel someone had taken advantage of me in that situation and I'd wonder what else they'd do, too. I'd have to tell her to leave.

I think they all do this to a degree. I live in London, and most cleaners I've had have leave earlier than they should. They do get the basics done so the house is clean, but I do get a bit annoyed they don't stay the full two hours and do some extras or a deep clean.

She has basically stolen from you by claiming for hours worked. I couldn't forgive this and I'd want some money back!

I would bin off in these circumstances.

Our cleaner doesn't always do her two hours, but the place is generally spotless (sometimes she doesn't notice the odd thing, but I don't either, otherwise it would be on the list and she'd do it), and she's proactive about doing things she sees need doing that aren't on my list (mirror polishing and things I'd never think of!).

She has acted as if she'd reduce her hours if she did less then explicitly lied to you about how many she had done. Unacceptable. You need to trust the person who has access to your home.