Self employed cleaner only going back to clients who have continued to pay/support.

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Seriously considering ditching the people who didn't give a toss. Anyone out there the same?

Text received from a client telling me that they’re both still on their full-time very high 6/7 figure salaries and enjoying saving the money they’re no longer spending on me.

This situation is bringing out the best or worst in people. They are fully aware both DH & I have lost our household income overnight. DH is in the 5% that doesn’t qualify for any help due to a job change and my self-emp situation hasn’t bought in a penny for 2 months now.

Am I supposed to go their home and just smile and accept their treatment towards me? No. They can jog on.

Wow @Classiccar - that is so rude of them. Do they expect you back?

....& as it’s been highlighted on the many threads before, we don’t earn enough to put money away for the unknowns like this. We can’t raise our fees because of the competition out there.

It comes down to how much you respect us. Actions speak louder than words.

Much as people may like their cleaners, they are not charity cases and it’s actually insulting to cleaners to regard them as such. They are SE professionals who chose where and when they work and their own hours conditions.

It’s a mistake to confuse an ordinary household with a company or the Social Services.

Where does it end? By OP’s logic, individual families could be paying out for dog walkers, tutors, home hairdressers, personal trainers.... you name it.

My DH has had to furlough about 80 people but these are contracted people on PAYE. He is contractually responsible for their maternity pay, sickness and so on.

He is not responsible for SE people who may come and go at will and want cash in hand. He has not been eligible for any govt assistance and he accepts this because he is SE and doesn’t fit the criteria.

Should he go to his clients and ask for money while he’s not providing them with a service? No.

classic That was incredibly rude of them. Let's not tar everyone who isn't paying their cleaner with the same brush though. They aren't all narcissistic villains!

Classic how silly to text you that.

Classic - your clients are odd and rude.
But not paying isn't the issue - its the rude/self centred text that is!

As an aside - I feel for anyone paying full childcare fees - I believe about 70percent of nurseries have had the common sense not to ask for fees or at least not full fees at this time. I'd be disappointed in my nursery if they tried to charge us. However if they need financial help and for us to contribute I will happily do my best. But no way would I pay in full for a service I'm not getting. A retainer could be acceptable but would be much lower than full fees.

It's as if I never existed, after several years of loyal service. Not heard a peep, or an enquiry as to will I go hungry?

I guess they saw it as just a transactional service arrangement, rather than the more personal relationship that you suggest. They pay you and see you when you work, they don't pay you and don't think about you when you don't work.

Being self-employed does carry some risks as well as benefits. You can walk away, they can walk away. It's up to you if you want to carry on cleaning for them.

That's up to you. I sympathise as we have 0 coming in due to self employment and clients not paying. However in our case said clients were also self employed with no money or on zero contracts.

I ignored their message and a few days later she sent me this......’?’ A question mark.

As in ‘Did you get my message?’

I won’t be returning.

I did just pop back to say that the offer of a retainer would have been nice. They have trusted me in their home, with their key registered with their house alarm company, to walk and feed the dogs for years. They know I’m honest with my timekeeping and hours to the exact minute. By their own admission they’ve previously tried tricking me by hiding a 20p coin down the sofa to see if I keep it.

Like I said, this has bought out the best or worst in people.

I'm paying 50% atm. Just got a msg from the agency that they won't be back for a month or so. BUT all money I am paying now they will credit moving forwards. I like my cleaner but have only had her for a few months so I'm not paying her In full.

They sound like lunatics tbh Classic - hiding 20p indeed! What the hell??

But just because a SE cleaner or anyone is trustworthy doesn’t give them special dispensation. That should be a given in any job and go without saying!

I’m sure there will be plenty of new cleaners when the dust settles and people are looking for new job.

Do what you feel you have to do.

@Classiccar Bloody hell, they sound vile! I wouldn't even give them any more thought, it's just not worth bothering about people like that.

Have you got plenty more work to keep you going?

As for people saying cleaners are ten a penny, maybe, but good, reliable, honest, hard working ones who do a thorough job week after week are like gold dust.

Hi OP. I get where you are coming from. I hire a cleaner once a month round my home to to a deep clean as technically my home is also used as a place of business (home salon!)

My cleaner came and cleaned the day of lockdown before Boris' announcement. I'd have loved to have paid her this month but I literally lost all my earnings overnight. So from my perspective, I do think you are being a little harsh. x

Everyone in the same boat they probably couldn't pay. Plenty of cleaners out there so don't think they will be to concerned about replacing you. If I was you I would go bk.

They have trusted me in their home, with their key registered with their house alarm company, to walk and feed the dogs for years. They know I’m honest with my timekeeping and hours to the exact minute.

Classiccar That couple sound awful and I’d stay well clear, but this comment is just silly. All that is your job, it’s what you’re paid for. Being trustworthy and responsible are the bare minimum one should expect.

I don't actually feel self employment scheme is that generous.
Many employed people on furlough have been paid immediately and employers have topped up. Plus furlough extended till October.
Self employed have yet to receive a penny and is only for 3 months and based on previous self employed earnings over 3 years. Well in the two of those 3 years I only had one regular job and now I have 3. Well probably two as I think one has folded.
It wasn't my choice to be self employed and indeed some organisation use PAYE but mine don't.
Thankfully I was paid extra just before lockdown as I did extra work and dh is still earning so we aren't screwed.
But no imo it isn't grnerous.

I am sorry but why are you expecting people to pay for a service they are not receiving. It is not really their responsibility to do anything more then pay for your service

Yanbu

I genuinely don’t get it - self employed people are entitled to 80% of their earnings from the government? Unless you have just set up as a cleaner or earn over £50k or have not been paying taxes why would you not just claim from the government?

Op, only 2 of my 30 odd clients offered to pay. I didn't take it. Of those who did not offer, the elderly and less well off I can fully understand. The ones who texted and told me they were working from home on full pay and they didn't want me in the house, well my opinion on them certainly changed. These texts were all received before the government had even mentioned any scheme for the self employed, so all around the 21st-23rd March. Clients didn't give much consideration to me at all and all are well off.

I haven't yet decided what to do, but some will be sacked.

Cutting your nose off to spite your face 🤷🏻‍♀️

The harsh reality is that cleaners are ten a penny in most areas - they won’t cry any tears, they’ll just get someone else.

@luminous they may be 'ten a penny' but as I said before, finding a good, reliable, honest cleaner who does a thorough job week after week isn't as easy as people think, as I imagine a few people will soon be discovering.

I had someone e cover for me and she was crap, lovely but couldn't clean at all, it isn't rocket science but many are bad at it.

Because they opted to pay or not for a service they were not getting in order to retain you if they wanted.

But you're not a private school or childminder with registration for e.g they would want to be concerned about losing their place.

Cleaners are easily available, not a skilled service and likely many more will be available now with unemployment rising so you're lucky to retain the customers you had.

It sucks but I don't think you can afford to be stroppy about it.