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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to fire my cleaner

103 replies

Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 14:55

I’ve had a cleaner for 2 years. To be honest she isn’t actually very good at cleaning, but she’s nice and she’s friendly with DS and the dog and with a toddler I am not keen on the hassle of replacing her etc.

However she is often late- like 40 mins or so late (and sometimes this doesn’t matter but sometimes I have people coming and it does actually mess up my plans), and today she just didn’t show up at all. I asked if she wanted some time off over Christmas (she comes twice a week), and she asked for a day off for NYE, which would be Tuesday, a day she usually comes. She is also supposed to come today and didn’t. I’m pregnant, vomiting all day and tired and very fucking pissed off because I get the impression she just doesn’t want to be here/doesn’t really give a shit about her job.

AIBU to let her go over this? Feels especially awkward as she has a set of keys...

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 02/01/2020 15:31

It sounds like it's not working anymore. The pp calling her a 'piss-taking bitch' is appallingly out of order. I'm just surprised that hasn't been deleted or reported. Just appalling.

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:31

@CodenameVillanelle

Yes, I think I am going to have to do this.

Where do you all find cleaners? We went via an agency for this one but felt dreadful as they pay the cleaners so badly, and actually the agency fired her and she came to us directly after that and we took her on directly as we believed her sob story (but now obviously it seems like the agency was right about her...)

Not sure how else or where else to find one

OP posts:
TulipsTulipsTulips · 02/01/2020 15:32

Definitely a new cleaner. I went through a couple until I found the right one. It was absolutely the right decision.

BlackCatSleeping · 02/01/2020 15:33

I’m sure there must be other cleaners available who are better. Ask around and see if you can find someone who will fill in for 3 months or try an agency. Don’t have her back.

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:33

Ffs I messaged her and she said”I told you I am not working NYE week”. She literally said to me “I need the day off on NYE”. The day off. It was very specific!

OP posts:
BlackCatSleeping · 02/01/2020 15:34

Sorry, crossed posts. How about going back to the agency?

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:36

No no I can’t go back to the agency because I hired her directly then so they hate me, and with good reason. I actually had a go at them as she told me a load of stuff about them firing her because she wanted time off etc. Their response was that she was refusing to work contracted hours etc.

I would really not like to do the agency model though - I want all the money to go to the cleaner!

OP posts:
Freesunglasses · 02/01/2020 15:36

I'm a self employed cleaner and wouldn't dream of just not turning up or turning up late to a clients. If I was going to be late I'd message them. I never let people down and on the very rare occasion I am poorly I would text to let them know.

I see it a lot on here about how hard it is to find good reliable, honest cleaners but it works the other way too. I like to look after my loyal, nice, pay on time, don't cancel at the last minute clients! The others I will get rid off.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 02/01/2020 15:37

You pay a cleaner to make your life easier.

It seems she doesn't do that, so what's the point in keeping her?

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 02/01/2020 15:37

I would not ask her to post the keys because it gives her the chance to duplicate if she wanted.

I would probably see if she showed up next time and ask her to hand them in then.

Otherwise if you sack her by text/phone I would change the locks.
Not worth it IMO.

But I def think it's time for a fresh start. Plenty of reliable ppl who would be happy for the job. It's supposed to make your life easier-not stress you out!

PersephoneandHades · 02/01/2020 15:38

Dismiss her and get a new one, cleaners will be very used to having short term contracts with clients, just make sure you specify that it will be a short term gig and go through an agency if you don't want any hassle.

She isn't doing her job well and is being rude, don't pay her to fuck around

Canadianpancake · 02/01/2020 15:38

I would go through an agency so that you can have difficult conversations with them, rather than the cleaner, if they are not up to scratch. As for your current one I would just say that her service is not meeting your needs so you are letting her go.

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:41

I would not ask her to post the keys because it gives her the chance to duplicate if she wanted

Very good point

OP posts:
John470322 · 02/01/2020 15:43

We had a cleaner who was great when she started but got to do less and less. We let her go and now use a company who send 2 or 3 cleaners and do a great job of keeping our home spotless

Freesunglasses · 02/01/2020 15:43

Also whenever someone says about getting rid of their cleaner they're told to change the locks or make sure they get the keys back.
On the few occasions I've been told I'm no longer needed, there have been no hard feelings and I had no desire to go and Rob the client or let myself in for a cuppa when they've gone out.

Just because we're cleaners it doesn't mean we're all poor or have low morals.

tttigress · 02/01/2020 15:45

You have a cleaner twice a week for a 2 bed flat?

I would have thought a good cleaner could give a 3 bed semi a basic going over in 1 hour.

Far from expecting too much, maybe you are expecting too little?

Flyinggeese · 02/01/2020 15:45

OP this seems so clear cut! YANBU at all. Just say it's not working due to timekeeping issues.

Floofffs · 02/01/2020 15:46

Op if you're in Sutton I can recommend someone

tttigress · 02/01/2020 15:46

RE: cleaners, one of the main reasons I don't have one is I don't want to trust a stranger with having access to my place

SorryDidISayThatOutLoud · 02/01/2020 15:47

I haven't got a cleaner now because I am part time, but I did have one when I was full time. I had a wonderful one who got a full time job as a teaching assistant, then another who did the same! I am awful for encouraging people to follow their dreams! Anyway, I did have two others and I let them go. The first one was that she broke my historic poppy (remember those from outside the Tower of London) and put it back without telling me and also spilt bleach on the floor and said it wasn't her. The other one either failed to turn up, turned up late, or dragged her 2 kids along if they were too ill for school - which I didn't mind except I had to put the TV on loud and provide snacks and paper and pens etc and I never actually got any work done!
I always went through an agency because of the checks. Some of my work is confidential and I needed the checks because of insurance.
Oh I have digressed. yes, let her go if she doesn't do the job and lets you down.

SusanneLinder · 02/01/2020 15:47

There must be other agencies you can use, surely. Don't know where you live but we have cleaning companies advertising on local Facebook groups.
Cleaning companies in my area on Google brings up a whole new range of possibilities. Most cleaners are self employed ( round here anyway), but the agency gets them their clients.
Personally I use an agency as they are insured and there is a comeback. You get a regular cleaner, but if they are sick/on holiday or useless, they send another.

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:52

You have a cleaner twice a week for a 2 bed flat?

We have a dog and white floors! Bloody white floors! Plus she does the ironing. And she’s incredibly slow!!!!!!

@SorryDidISayThatOutLoud

She was a teacher in her home country and is learning English I think with a view to being a teaching assistant or similar here. Which is fantastic and I am being very encouraging and supportive but I do think it’s why she Is not massively fussed about this job; it’s just a stop gap for her.

Also when the coffee cup went missing (was clearly broken and was a wedding gift which was kept out in the kitchen so only reason I noticed), we told the agency and they just denied it 🤷🏻‍♀️

I will look on fb etc thank you, and try to ask around.

OP posts:
Inherdefence · 02/01/2020 15:53

I agree with nearly everyone else. She’s unreliable and inefficient. I have a feeling she saw you were a soft touch when she was working for the agency.

When she turns up on Tuesday tell her you don’t need her anymore (because you are moving?) and take her keys on the spot. You sound very kind hearted so if you want to give her 2 weeks money in lieu of notice it might salve your conscience.

Mummymummums · 02/01/2020 15:56

I think you've got my old cleaner OPGrin I'm in Surrey too.
Ours was not good at cleaning but I sucked it up because I had a lot going on and she was better than nothing.
Straw that broke the camel's back was when we discovered by chance that she was doing 30-40 mins less than we paid her for. Just by checking Ring doorbell camera for an alleged parcel delivery. When we checked back and kept an eye on it we found she did less time every week (without finishing jobs which she had claimed she'd run out of time for).
She then messaged to miss a couple of weeks during the first of which I'd planned to give her a month's notice. Tried phoning her but she didn't pick up. So told her by text we wouldn't be needing her but she could work a month paid if she wanted (no way was I giving her more free money for nothing). I also asked for key back. To this day I've never heard back or has my key back - missing key was ok though as we got a new front door anyway a week later!
If you don't get rid it will fester.
The cleaner before this one was perfect but she changed career - I've not had the stomach to look for another for the last year though.

Original poster
Probablyveryirrational · 02/01/2020 15:57

To this day I've never heard back or has my key back

This is outrageous!!!!!

OP posts: