Aibu that I should be at work as I can’t from home? (Cleaner)

[dibdobs]

Hi please be kind! I work thirty hours weekly for a family in their country house. When the partial lockdown started my partner asked me not to go to work as he is 63 and a diabetic with high blood pressure. However I can’t stop worrying I will lose my job if I don’t go and on the government website it just says to go to work if you can’t work at home. To me my work isn’t essential but I’m worried they may replace me. So feel I should go back but keep my distance from the family? Just looking for genuine advice really as I o don’t know what I’m meant to do.

I’d be surprised if they want you to go. It would be mixing households which is against advice.

I dont know the answer but my cleaner is still coming

You need to speak to the family you clean for surely?
People aren't meant to have non essential workers in their house at the moment?
My cleaner isn't coming, we're still paying her and can't wait to have her back.
Why do you think you wouldn't get your job back?

They had another cleaner in at least one day that I know about which is why I’m wondering if I should be going or staying home

I'm a self employed cleaner and non of my clients want me In their homes at the moment and I don't really want to go. Have you continued cleaning for them since the lockdown?

They'd have a tough time replacing you as most, I hope! Wouldn't even consider staritng to clean for them right now.

I'm a cleaner, I stopped all work when lockdown was announced.

Can you contact Citizens Advice see how you would be financially covered?

Cleaners are not generally essential so you’re not really meant to go but you’d not be ‘breaking the rules’ as it were because it is work. Most people seem to be paying their cleaners but not having them come round here. Have you not juts discussed what they want you to do?

Our cleaner asked us what we were going to do - we said we'd prefer her to stay home and follow the guidelines, and we'll still obviously pay her as we are still getting paid, it's only fair. I think people who don't pay their cleaners etc. whilst on full pay themselves are scum to be honest.

I’m paying my cleaner weekly but have told her not to come - I’d loved my house cleaned but I don’t think her coming into my house is in the spirit of sticking to your own household. If I can’t see my local family, certainly doesn’t make sense to have a non-family member inside my house

The rules are if you cannot do your work from home then you can go to work.

As far as I'm aware its not key workers only that it relates to

Also don’t see it as essential work as clearly I am capable of cleaning my own house. Also agree that people who are continuing to get paid (like me) should be paying their cleaners while they stay at home

I told them originally I wouldn’t be going in but they’ve not been in touch since and I won’t get paid , but I know they got a previous cleaner back in at least once since I haven’t been there. I’m very happy not going otherwise and sticking to all the self isolating rules etc I just don’t know if I should offer to go in

Thinking about it, if lots of cleaners were going in between houses this would render the lockdown a bit pointless wouldn't it? It’s not just the contact with one client you have to think about but the contact with everyone else you then come into contact with. If you go you are essentially putting your dh in contact with everyone else the family are also in contact with, it doesn’t seem the right thing to do.

I work on a self employed basis for several years now

If they have had someone in to do the cleaning then that tells me that they see the cleaning as essential.

So yes you could be replaced if your self employed and they want work doing that your not willing to do

I think it’s pretty shitty to not pay you op. They sound like they have plenty of spare cash. I would stay home and claim the 80% self employment grant.

A cleaner probably has less contact with people at her work, than pretty much anyone else does at their work.
Just because her work is at a country house (big enough to keep her busy for 30 hours a week) doesn't make it 'mixing households'.

Are pp really paying their cleaners while they are off?! I have one client who is giving me some cash each week, otherwise none of my former clients have offered me a penny, I'm not sure I'd take it anyway. I also know two other cleaners who are also getting nothing. only on mumsnet have I seen where people are paying their cleaners for not cleaning (lovely of you all by the way!)

I've already sacked a few of mine and won't be going back when this is all over (they don't know yet)

If you're working for them for 30 hours a week you probably shouldn't be self employed anyway. But - stay away, stay safe and claim the support that's been put in place for self employed people.

I think it would be different if she was going to several houses a day, but when it's only one building all week, I don't see it as any different to any other job. I doubt she ever sees the occupants.

Given the amount of hours that you usually spend there, would it be possible for you to temporarily move in with them it sounds like they still want your support.

"Are people really paying their cleaners while they are off?"
I know that some are. I guess it's because they want to be sure they will come back when this is all over.

We are paying our cleaner but told her not to come while we are in lockdown, surprised your family haven't told you the same.