Is it unreasonable to have a cleaner?

[HopeDog10]

I have a cleaner come to my house once a week. My friend thinks this is degrading for the woman. Is it really that bad?

Giving employment to someone is really bad?

There are many people out there who choose cleaning and enjoy their job. Christ I would have one myself if I wasn't so weird about my house.

No.

Cleaning is a perfectly normal job.

Of course not, don’t be ridiculous. I have a cleaner, she is a professional working woman, she allows me more time to also be a professional working woman. I think your cleaner might well find your friend’s attitude a little patronising.

And she’s probably jealous..

Come on, you know your friend is talking crap. How is having a job degrading? Is there a 'degradation line' where jobs sit either above or below?

What's wrong with cleaning and earning money from it? Thank FUCK for people like this I say.

Your friend is jealous she hasn't got one/can't afford one.

Of course its not degrading.

No, it’s a normal job.

I think it’s a bit odd for someone to think that there’s something intrinsically demeaning about cleaning TBH.

You've got to be shitting me. It's good honest employment, what the hell is wrong with your friend?

As long as you pay her a fair wage and treat her with respect then it is a mutually beneficial arrangement.

What!!!! Your friend is weird. Does paid work degrade?
What is degrading is expecting both people in a couple to work similar hours and one of them pick up all the housework too. That's why we have our fab cleaner.

A friend once trotted out similar issues about cleaners. I think it’s snobby and elitist to consider cleaning a degrading job, probably classist too. As long as cleaners are paid fairly and treated with respect, it’s unreasonable for people to have a problem with others employing them!

The "it's degrading" to be a cleaner thing is as odd to me as the "getting a cleaner makes you a bad housekeeper" thing.

You need help. You are willing to pay for that help. She wants work and this work is what she is offering. It's a perfect relationship ffs.

People who think like this are not people I want in my life.

My mums a cleaner and makes a great living from it. She's amazing at her job could wipe the floor with Mrs Hinch. She's her own boss and decideds her hours who she will and will not work for. It's a good job

Pressed send too soon.

I assume these people also think garbage collectors are doing degrading jobs? Do you they feel.sorry for people or look down on them? Ugh.

Are you employing an exploited immigrant and paying £1 an hour?

My cleaner has a company and earns more than I do

I have her because I’m out of the house 12 hours and my husband works a 40 hour week too. Our time is too precious to spend it cleaning and I’m crap at it anyway.

My cleaner set her business up 10 years ago and is a job creator: she has 10 full time staff and like I mentioned, she earns more than I do.

Your friend is not only batshit, but I also think her opinion is entitled, snobby and a bit shit.

Our cleaner has taken so much stress away from me. She's amazing. We pay the London living wage so I don't feel like we're exploiting her. I was against the idea for a long time as well, but it's turned out to be one of the best things I've ever spent money on.

Ofc it isn’t. I have recently employed a cleaner who runs her own cleaning business because she bloody loves cleaning! She says it’s getting paid to do what she loves. I know plenty of people like this, as long as there is a fair wage being paid etc it’s good honest work.

Jealous friend alert.

My cleaner is fabulous - we call her ‘The Angel’.

If you’re paying her a decent wage and not exploiting her then there’s nothing degrading.

The cleaners we have at work are equally valued and respected and are well paid.

It will be the best money you'll spend each week!

To the OP my husband thinks like this too. I firmly put him in his place when I said they get employment, I can earn more money and we have a clean house.

His mum was a cleaner and I think he got stick at school about it but it's a fair wage for a fair day of work.

Ask her why she thinks cleaning is degrading? She obviously sees it as a 'bad job', would she think the same of a gardener or window cleaner.

I have a cleaner, she's brilliant.

My cleaner makes more an hour than I do!

It's probably not financially sensible for me to employ one at all but it's worth every penny for my mental health and getting to spend more time with my son

Your friend's attitude to being a cleaner is far more degrading to them than employing one!

Cleaning is a skill. I am v bad at it and have struggled for years to have a clean house. I have recently had a payrise so have decided to employ someone to come and clean my flat. I met her and we chatted about our children as they are the same age. She told me what products to buy for her to use. It was all very pleasant. I wouldn’t want to do her job because I wouldn’t be good at it but I could say the same for loads of other jobs. I was a terrible waitress too and have real respect for people who are good at waitressing because it is hard! I don’t think it is degrading. Cleaners are often self employed and are running a good business. Some people really enjoy cleaning. Just go for it.

His mum was a cleaner

Yeah, so was mine. Maybe that's why I used to be so reluctant!

You're employing this lady so that is empowering. If I could I'd have a cleaner myself. If you can afford it then go for it