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Original poster

WWYD Cleaner still not back

189 replies

PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks · 13/06/2020 11:44

I need some advice please! I hired a new cleaner shortly before lockdown, highly recommended by a friend, she came one time, did a great job. Fair hourly rate. All good, scheduled to do 4h/week.

Then the week after that she sent a group text to all her clients saying she was self isolating for two weeks. Fair enough, I sent her a message to say we would continue to pay her.
This was almost 3 months ago... I asked her two weeks ago if she believed she would be back soon and she said yes in a week, then the next week came and she said actually she is not comfortable taking the train so doesn’t want to come back yet. She has other clients in my neighborhood and I know she doesn’t clean for them either.

WWYD? I don’t really want to continue paying her to stay at home when the guideline is to go to work if you can’t WFH. I don’t want to go without a cleaner for longer, I hate cleaning the house and work hard do be able to afford to have someone do it for me. But then I don’t want to loose her as she seemed really good.

OP posts:
Rafflesway · 13/06/2020 13:54

You sound a lovely person, OP, but sorry to say I agree with @Butchyrestingface.

Then again, I am a cynical old cow!

Please don’t pay her any more though. She doesn’t sound the least concerned you have paid so much for nothing. Hmm

AlexisCarringtonColbyDexter · 13/06/2020 13:54

I know MN has a thing about cleaners and how they think they're all saints who never put a foot wrong and are perfect but in this case- she is TOTALLY taking you for a ride. I cant believe you've paid her all this time- she's taking the piss out of you. If she's paid tax she should have registered with universal credits and should be getting money from them.

If she hasn't paid tax, well, thats on her. As for her behaviour now- she's clearly trying to rip you off. STOP fcking paying her.

thecatsthecats · 13/06/2020 13:55

I cleaned my own house when my cleaner couldn't come. In fact, my husband and I spent 1.5h each working at the same time to do what she does in under 2h.

The difference when she came back was astounding.

I think there's a lot to be said to increasing service jobs, properly remunerated, in this country.

I priced it up, and we could have PT housekeeping, PA, cleaning, gardening and DIY services for about 10k a year including materials. All things we could do ourselves, but then it would be great to provide employment too. Flexible work, as well.

We can actually afford it, I just have to convince the husband.

Earinglady · 13/06/2020 13:55

@PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks

I don’t think she is taking advantage as I know she isn’t back for her other clients either, some are not paying her.

I have been paying cleaner weekly for years so in a sense it seemed fair to continue paying during lockdown. And yes, she only came one time, but I intend(ed) to employ her long time.
Good cleaner are really hard to find here, so I’ll tell her I have to stop paying after this week as I will use an agency but as soon as she is ready I’ll have her back.

so I actually haven’t paid her anything So have you paid her or not, it’s not very clear?
Quarantimespringclean · 13/06/2020 13:58

I’ve paid my cleaner throughout lockdown but she’s been cleaning for us for 10 years. Sadly for her, having to do my own cleaning has revealed what a very poor job she’s been doing recently. I knew her standards had slipped but not quite how bad things had become! So last week I paid her another months money in lieu of notice.

I bloody hate cleaning though. As soon as things get back to normal-ish I’ll be looking for someone new.

Classiccar · 13/06/2020 14:05

@PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks

In light of your update, as she has been to work for you only once before, you now have the risk that she may turn up to clean, take the cash and you never see her again.

For the reputation of all the reliable and trustworthy ones out here, I genuinely hope she doesn’t do this to you.

GeorgiaWeLoveYou · 13/06/2020 14:05

Wtf OP. Can't believe you've been paying her for this long. I wouldn't have been happy to pay her for more than a few weeks if she wasn't doing the job, maybe a month at the most. Find a new cleaner and tell your old cleaner that you've found a new cleaner as you really needed someone to...actually do the job.

wildcherries · 13/06/2020 14:11

I have been paying cleaner weekly for years so in a sense it seemed fair to continue paying during lockdown and then actually haven’t paid her anything

After the update, I'm confused...

Original poster
PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks · 13/06/2020 14:13

I haven’t paid yet, but I told her from the beginning that I would and I intend to.

OP posts:
Original poster
PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks · 13/06/2020 14:14

So even though technically money haven’t been exchanged I believe I owe her the money for the weeks I said I would pay her.

OP posts:
Classiccar · 13/06/2020 14:25

So what’s the question please?

wildcherries · 13/06/2020 14:27

I still would give her a set return date. You are being very kind but don't let anyone take you for a mug.

Classiccar · 13/06/2020 14:28

Dear x,

We need to know please when you will be returning to clean as per our initial set-up.

We’re keen to get you on board as you can tell by our very kind gesture of continuing to pay whilst not receiving your service!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Alsohuman · 13/06/2020 14:29

@PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks

I haven’t paid yet, but I told her from the beginning that I would and I intend to.
It would have been helpful if you’d said that at the start. Presumably if she doesn’t come back you won’t pay her so it’s a complete non issue.
Classiccar · 13/06/2020 14:29

Wildcherries is better! Grin

You definitely need to be firmer & stipulate a date!

ittakes2 · 13/06/2020 14:30

I would a) stop paying her and b) look for another cleaner without giving her notice. It might take you a while to find someone - you might not find someone - so don’t let her go yet, let her come back to you if she wants the work.

ittakes2 · 13/06/2020 14:33

I have read now you have not paid the money yet - pay her for the two weeks she was isolating but not the rest. My cleaner has been coming wearing a mask. She keeps fobbing you off - you should not feel obliged to pay someone who is treating you like this.

Barkingfuckingdogs · 13/06/2020 14:35

@Rhubarbcrumblerules

I've cleaned for the same family for 8 years and they have not paid me a penny whilst I couldn't work, maybe I'm the mug! They could easily afford it. 50% would have been nice. Haven't been able to go back as they are shielding.
Tight, rotten bastards.
Pipandmum · 13/06/2020 14:39

I would not have paid her after only one time! And I'd definitely expect her to return when allowed - I'm sure as soon as you stop the money she'll be back.

Original poster
PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks · 13/06/2020 14:49

Sorry if this was confusing.

@ittakes2 it has crossed my mind, it feels dishonest though, as I said I would pay. I just regret not coming to my senses a month ago!

OP posts:
Classiccar · 13/06/2020 14:57

I’ve been thinking about this as a cleaner myself of 20+ years who has posted on every single cleaning/virus MN thread.

In this particular scenario as someone who has been with you JUST once, I would not feel at all comfortable taking money from you for work not undertaken.

I haven’t taken a retainer from any of my long-standing clients of 20 years.

I’d proceed with caution. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again.

This Covid situation has bought out the best and worst in people.

BlueJava · 13/06/2020 14:58

Get a fixed date and time for her return if she turns up and will continue the arrangement then pay her. If not then don't pay her. I have not really understood the angst over cleaners - if they turn up they get paid, if they don't then they are not paid in my view (it's exactly the same for me in my job).

WallsKOL · 13/06/2020 15:01

@Rhubarbcrumblerules - I’m feeling a bit the same. I’ve been cleaning for them for a year - 8 hrs a week so a 1/5 of my weeks wages . They are shielding but still WFH & I have no idea when I can go back. I think I’m going to have to let them go. A token gesture would have been nice & they keep saying they don’t want to lose me !
I can’t claim SE grant as I have only been SE since last April

Classiccar · 13/06/2020 15:03

Or could you say you’ve had to re-jig your finances and things have changed....retrospectively you’re now asking that she makes up some of the hours for the cash you have put aside?

Just throwing it into the mix as you’re clearly not comfortable, OP. I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️

Way too over-invested in this now.

listsandbudgets · 13/06/2020 15:03

I'd just send the following text.

Dear Cleaner, please can you let me know which day you're coming next week. As you know people are returning to work now and I need you back. Look forward to seeing you next week. If you cant come I'm afraid I'll need to look for another cleaner so wont be able to carry on paying you.
Thanks pleasepassthecoffee

That puts the ball entirely in her court. If she does not come, do not pay and start looking for another cleaner. You do not want a cleaner working g in your home who you resent and that is how it could end up.

You may have to do it yourself a little longer but unfortunately there are likely to be plenty of people finding themselves on the job market soon and some will turn to cleaning.