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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be pissed off and sack my cleaner

160 replies

Nightnight23 · 23/05/2019 20:55

Another cleaner related thread...

Background so as not to drip feed. Had this cleaner for a year, she is very reliable and competitively (but fairly) priced.
Had some issues as her cleaning is average to poor depending on whether I’m there or not. I try to be a good person to clean for - make regular cups of tea if I’m in, make sure everything is tidied away before etc so she only has to clean, during half terms I give her alterations etc to do from home of an evening as she has a young son and childcare is difficult in hols but that way she doesn’t lose out financially.

Issues are:
She brought her son without pre agreeing it with me, he then took a piece of tech with him, I hadn’t realised it had gone missing but she brought it round the next day laughing about it. I get that he’s a kid (10) but why should I have to worry about things being stolen when I’m employing a cleaner to make my life easier?

I pay her for 2 hours cleaning, I recently got a camera installed on the door. I don’t think she is aware but it’s not a secret as the unit is in the house and she would see it if she ever dusted the window sill (it’s mainly to track deliveries whilst I’m out but it notifies my phone when someone comes or goes as it points to the drive).

I have been out the past 3 weeks. The first week she did 1 hour 15 mins, I didn’t question it as I presumed it was a 1 off and she’d automatically make it up the following week.
The second week I was out she did 1 hour 5 mins, I questioned her and she said she did everything really quickly as she had another job to go on to but she’d make it up next time. Then last week she did an hour and five again. I messaged her at the weekend with a list of jobs to do if she finishes with half an hour or more to spare to make it up to the two hours. She replied that’s fine and she did two hours last week and would keep to two hours going forward. I know it’s a lie as the camera recorded her coming and going after just over an hour.

I genuinely wouldn’t mind if things were cleaned quickly and to a high standard but they’re not. So much basic stuff is missed.

Another issue (god this is so long sorry!) is I bulk buy large quantities of cleaning products as it’s cheaper to do so. I’ve found out she’s been refilling her bottles with my products each week. The price agreed is meant to include all her own cleaning materials. Not only is she using my products for my house (I could tolerate that) but it seems I’m also supplying her other clients cleaning products too as she refills a whole bottle each week.

Aibu to be pissed off with her? I feel she’s taking me for a total mug. We get on so nicely face to face but she clearly thinks I’m an idiot. We are not well off and I have a cleaner because I’m disabled so it is a massive luxury meant to make life easier.

OP posts:

SunshineCake · 23/05/2019 21:55

Don't be politely blunt with your new cleaner. Just be polite and see how she is but the first sign of anything then talk to her. Don't tar her with the same brush as your soon to be sacked cleaner.

Justmuddlingalong · 23/05/2019 21:57

And don't give your ex cleaner a glowing reference. She doesn't deserve one whatever sob story she spins you.

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 23/05/2019 21:59

Sunshine - don’t worry I won’t, I think I just mean politely straight with her and point out if I think something’s missed etc the first time rather than subtle hints.

OP posts:

Namestheyareachangin · 23/05/2019 22:08

Good old Ring bell, scourge of th lazy lying bugger! [Grin] I caught a former cleaner out lying to me in the same way - she sent me her bill for the full 2.5 hours having worked just more than half that. I told her I'd pay her for the amount she'd worked which I knew was 1.5 hours. She went mental at me, told me how much she "didn't appreciate" being called a liar, fully went off on one. I enjoyed the fireworks for a bit then sent her a video of herself coming and going with the time stamp. Never heard from her again 😂

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 23/05/2019 22:21

@namestheyareachangin it’s so cheeky isn’t it. I wouldn’t mind if it was ten minutes but 40-45 mins regularly is 30+ hours a year that I’m paying for!

I’m feeling hopeful now that I’ll have a much better experience with the new cleaner. She’s coming round next week so we can discuss everything. At least I can tell her what I definitely do/don’t want based on my latest experience.

OP posts:

Namestheyareachangin · 23/05/2019 22:25

The most important thing to do is tell her why you sacked your old cleaner and how you knew. This means the new person will know not to take the piss in the same ways as you won't stand for it (although they may of course find new, previously unthought of ways to take the piss! ).

Took me three tries to find someone who actually turned up when they said, stayed for as long as I'm paying them for and (by and large) does a decent job. I think a lot of lot of piss taking goes on!!

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 23/05/2019 22:33

I think part of the issue is people think it’s easy and say they’re a cleaner but don’t actually have professional cleaning skills and knowledge.

OP posts:

mamangelo · 23/05/2019 22:36

You must sack her ASAP! I am shocked you are even questioning it.

expat101 · 23/05/2019 22:40

Don't have her back OP, that gives her another opportunity to top up her containers and not do her job. Send a text and cancel her, if you are not a confrontational person, just say your circumstances have changed.

Walkaround · 23/05/2019 22:45

I'm amazed you had to ask if ywbu having described a dishonest thief with limited cleaning skills!

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 23/05/2019 22:50

@walkaround I know. I feel a bit stupid now. Good old mumsnet helping me see sense!

OP posts:

Itslookinglikeabeautifulday · 23/05/2019 23:17

Get rid. We used to have a man service our central heating boiler for £40 cash in hand, which we’d leave out for him if we were out (boiler is external). My husband happened to be looking at our CCTV on his phone while at work one day and spotted him arrive....then leave NINE MINUTES later, taking the money. Never had him back again. An absolute CF.

PregnantSea · 23/05/2019 23:20

Yabu for posting this. Of course she needs to be sacked, why are you even asking?

FlorenceKettle · 23/05/2019 23:31

She doesn't have a key? That's something then.

Who's letting her in though when you're not there?

JustOneShadeOfGrey · 23/05/2019 23:49

I’m confused- how does she get in when you’re out?

If she’s ripping you off, she’s doing the same with other clients. I’d text her dismissal and not have to look at her lying face again.

bevelino · 24/05/2019 03:36

How did she get in without a key.

Aquamarine1029 · 24/05/2019 03:55

Why does it matter that she's a single mum? She's stealing from you. Stealing time is the same as stealing anything else. Why you would have her come back one last time is beyond me. Fire her immediately because she deserves it.

Notabedofroses · 24/05/2019 05:38

She is stealing from you (not just the cleaning products) but you are paying her for hours of work she is not doing, and her son is actually stealing from you at ten years old! (more than old enough to know this is wrong)

I wouldn't hesitate to let her go, there is no way I would have her back.

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 24/05/2019 05:50

I have one of those key safe things that’s outside and you type a code in to get the key out. I can just change the code on that. (I will do today).

OP posts:

malificent7 · 24/05/2019 06:00

The standard of cleaning is the issue here. Not good enough.

I accidentally wondered off with cleaning products from my employers and bought them back althougb tech is a different matter. She was honest and bought it vack asap.
Her bringing her son...no big deal.

However of you installed a camera just to spy on her she is best off out anyway! Creepy.

My employers told me what standard they expected...she even showed me herself..

Soontobe60 · 24/05/2019 06:03

I too would ask her to leave. However, unless you have absolute proof that she has done what you are saying she has done, then I would not bring it up. You really can't accuse someone without hard evidence even if the cisrumstantial evidence is overwhelming.
Also, she didn't steal the toy, her son took it and she returned it the next day.
I would just tell her that you no longer need a cleaner and you have to let her go. Next time get and check out references. Plus, tell the new cleaner beforehand that you have cameras! Filming people secretly, even in your own home, is very dodgy.

Original poster

Nightnight23 · 24/05/2019 06:05

I haven’t installed a camera to spy on her. The camera is pointed on our drive and door as a general security measure. It doesn’t monitor anything inside. Just a standard thing that plenty of people have nowadays. The unit itself is based on a window sill very obviously, if she cleaned the window sill as she is meant to she would see it. No secrets here.

OP posts:

Xmas2020 · 24/05/2019 06:08

You must be a struggling mum as well @Nightnight23 to have hired her to clean. There may be many times she has stayed over her hours that you are not aware off. And i am sure by law you have to ensure all employees are aware of cameras installed, because otherwise you are recording her without her consent.

Pinkyyy · 24/05/2019 06:25

In all honesty I'd ask her to make up the time she owes you.

Petalflowers · 24/05/2019 06:30

The stealing alone is a reason to sack her.

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