To say no to my cleaner coming over Christmas?

[ettyz]

My cleaner who works 5 days a week doing 6 hours a day for us and gets above the average wage for a cleaner, has said that she needs to work next week. I said no to working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday as obviously it’s Christmas and no to Friday as I have people over. She’s obviously self employed and we are her only cleaning job, but I don’t really fancy someone cleaning when Me and dh not at work, all the kids are at home and we just want to relax without anyone in the home. She said it’s too much money for her to lose out and she won’t be able to afford to not work those days. she hates Christmas and doesn’t have any family to spend it with so was actually asking to do Christmas Day! It’s not my fault she hasn’t budgeted for it but we had told her when we first took her on in April that we don’t need her services over Christmas. Aibu to say no to her working those days next week, I don’t want to upset her. We are hosting Christmas at ours so no time when we won’t be at home next week for her to pop in and clean, plus I’m at home so I’ll be able to do it anyway!

That's even more intriguing that you don't go into the reasons for why you need a cleaner for so many hours

If you are working usually then shouldn't this be a holiday for you too next week?

I agree with a PP can you not give her the ironing to do on one day?

Also with 7 bathrooms can you not tell her to clean one wing of your house while you relax in another?

I can’t get past the 30 hours thing

There are flames coming from your undergarments. But if not, just bloody pay her for that week as a Christmas bonus!

This is unbelievable. Really unbelievable.

She's not a self employed cleaner if she's in your home five days a week for six hours a time. She's a housekeeper or maid and it would seem that you're her employer.

I'm curious to know what she gets paid an hour, as you say she's very well paid?
I used to be a cleaner. I usually got paid. One lovely client used to say don't come when she was on holidays and she would still pay me. Also paid me for bank holidays, I used to clean for her on Mondays. I always felt so appreciated. Also got extra money and a gift at Xmas.
Show her you value her and pay her!

7 bathrooms

Omg

who has 7 bathrooms

Your friend is wrong btw.

I pay my cleaner £10 an hour and she comes in 2 hours a week. Right from the very beginning we agreed that she only gets paid when she comes in. This works very well as she sometimes can't come in due to her holidays or family issues and she doesn't then feel bad about cancelling . If I'm on holiday I still get her to come in, there's always stuff to do. We are both flexible over days/hours. I've given her a very nice Christmas gift. We are both happy with the arrangement.

What actually does this friend do because she’s wrong.

How very self centred you appear. Sad really .

I am an accountant who specialises in tax. Your friend is wrong.

Are you in the UK op?

Is that Jimmy Page on mumsnet? Pay her the usual amount she would earn. Tell her to have the week off!

Seven bathrooms, dusty antiques, a crazy dusty staircase and floors. Your cleaner is obviously a dedicated conservator, and you shouldn't try to stop her. Let her work next week, but keep her away from the celebrations.

(...and the Celebrations).

My cleaner only gets paid for the hours she works, which are usually standard.

Last week I gave her two weeks' pay as a Christmas bonus. She actually comes Mondays and Thursdays so next week she is coming as normal so still getting paid. I still gave her the bonus because she's great and loyal and honest, and deserves a little extra at Christmas time.

This reminds me of the poster who is in some far away land that cannot be named, and always posts a complete non-dilemma, which turns out to always be a thinly disguised stealth boast. Something like “my diamond shoes are too tight and my housekeeper is lazy, AIBU to fire my gardener, don’t worry we can afford it”.

This can’t be just a regular residential property surely? Even a huge one wouldn’t take THAT much cleaning surely?! I think you’re being really tight here. Pay her for the week and don’t ask her to work fgs. Might be nice to invite her over for drinks or something since you know she’s alone. But I don’t think you’ll do either. You: aibu? Pretty much everyone: YES! You: no I’m not.

Why don't you invite her to join you as a guest ? And give her a week's wages too . Spread a little Crimbo cheer !

If my cleaner can't come she doesnt get paid. If i cancel her for whatever reason i still pay her. Seems very unfair judt because it doesnt suit you that she looses out.

Cant get over anyone needing a full time cleaner for their house though

A friend of mine who moved into a house that had a bathroom, an ensuite and a downstairs cloakroom once said that he 'had more bathrooms than I can take a shit in'.

I can't imagine what he'd make of seven bathrooms!

I bet she doesn’t just clean though. She’ll most likely do all the washing, tidying, dusting, making beds etc, maybe even preparing food and general running of the household. There’s a reason people in other countries have housekeepers! There’s plenty of work to do even in a smaller house.

I can spend about 2 hours a day cleaning my 4 bed house so a massive house with 7 bathrooms and more of a housekeeper role then I can see that.

Shouldn’t call her a cleaner though.