To pay half despite no service provided

[twinklerose]

I'm just wondering if this comes across as ok. Cleaner text me beginning of the month to say she wouldn't be coming to our house until it was safe to do so which we understand fully.

We normally pay her end of the month cash in hand. We've had her a few years now and have a good relationship with her and would hope when this is over she would be available again.

She never mentioned payment but cleaning is her main source of income. Would I be cheeky to drop around half payment to her as a gesture/retainer or should I ask her first what her expectations are? Both myself and my husband have taken a pay cut/reduced hours too.

Thank you

I have and I would if you can afford it

Nice to do if you can afford it. It is worth checking with her first if it'll affect anything she claims from the government though?

I would ask in case it affects any benefits - it’s a lovely thing to offer!

I paid my cleaner a lump sum as a gift to make clear that it was not wages or a retainer. I understand that gifts do not have to be declared in applications for Universal Credit. Wages obviously do have to be, and I'm not sure about the position of a retainer. Wages and retainers are taxable but gifts are not. However, clearly if you were giving it as a gift it would have to be a true gift - ie she wouldn't have any obligation to do anything in return or continue working for you.