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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
zonkin · 13/06/2020 16:57

You have been extremely gullible. I don't blame her for taking the money if you offered it though.

I have paid my cleaner through this even though she hasn't been coming around through lockdown but she has been my cleaner for several years. I was bloody glad to have her return this week.

Whitney168 · 13/06/2020 17:12

Obviously a different slant on it now you've said that you haven't actually paid her - but I can't say I'd want her back if she did actually accept that money when she'd only done one clean for you before this! Not a sign of a reasonable or moral person ...

Whenwillthisbeover · 13/06/2020 18:12

Honestly, she’s probably cleaning for other people whilst you’re being mugged off.

AlwaysCheddar · 14/06/2020 08:05

Don’t pay anything yet.... if she comes back, tell her you’ll give her a bonus at Xmas, do you can see if she stays or buggers off after a week.

theonlywayisapple · 14/06/2020 08:08

Hire a new one. She’s taking the piss

SiaPR · 14/06/2020 08:11

I am all for continuing to pay the people who do your shit jobs. But after one week?

Lucyccfc68 · 14/06/2020 08:49

How is the cleaner taking the piss or being a CF when the OP hasn’t actually paid her anything?

So OP claims to have paid her cleaner throughout lockdown and gets loads of sympathy, then actually admits to have not paid her cleaner a penny, but said the agreement was to pay her it all backdated when she comes back.

I am not sure what the purpose of your post was OP. Your cleaner owes you nothing. She cleaned once, had to shield and hasn’t been back. You have paid her nothing during lockdown.

Just let her know that if she can’t come back, you will have to find another cleaner.

Apple1029 · 14/06/2020 09:00

I think you were an absolute fool to pay her. She had just started with you. this wasnt a long time cleaner who you had a great relationship to justify paying her for 3 months. Off course shes going to ride this out as long as she can. I would tell her immediately that you wont be paying her any longer.

Apple1029 · 14/06/2020 09:08

Actually I would tell her that unfortunately you will be only paying her half. She has the audacity to expect anything in the first place, and then to say she doesnt want to use trains given that she has to, to do her job.

blackleggingsandatshirt · 14/06/2020 09:10

I don't want to travel on public transport to get to work, I'm dreading it, so I can see where she is coming from, I would get in touch as say you are thinking of getting a new cleaner as you need this service, and ask if there is any PPE she needs if she wants to return, it's kind of an ultimatum (she may be getting too used to being at home and still receiving a salary - but we all have to get back to our 'new normal')

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 14/06/2020 10:26

Oh for gods sakes

So OP has a cleaner . So would I if I could afford one !! Not due to laziness but because it would help me immensely and , well, I would be employing somebody and paying them a wage .
Win Win from what I see.

CrazyTimesAreOccurring · 14/06/2020 12:49

"Do your cleaning yourself" is such a ridiculous think to say. So a cleaner loses her income, has to claim benefits and the system has to pay out more.
Or - cleaner has a job, person happily gets a clean house and pays their wages, economy benefits as people are not claiming help...

No brainer surely for those with a brain

CrazyTimesAreOccurring · 14/06/2020 12:49

thing

typewrriter12 · 14/06/2020 12:52

What if you tried cleaning yourself, make a rota and clean a room each day ? with the money you save you could treat yourself for what you have accomplished.

heartsonacake · 14/06/2020 13:06

@typewrriter12

What if you tried cleaning yourself, make a rota and clean a room each day ? with the money you save you could treat yourself for what you have accomplished.
Why should she?

Why are you trying to put cleaners out of work?

Viviennemary · 14/06/2020 13:14

There seems to be a thing on MN about having cleaners is lazy. That's why I have mine and it helps me to be a bit tidier. But the point is OP hasn't actually got anybody cleaning her house and no prospect in the foreseeable future of this c.f. cleaner coming back. Not a situation many people would be happy with under the circumstances. I think by not coming back after the lockdown she forfeited any right to the pay. No that she should have been even offered it in the first place

sleepingpup · 14/06/2020 13:20

So OP has a cleaner . So would I if I could afford one !! Not due to laziness but because it would help me immensely and , well, I would be employing somebody and paying them a wage .
Win Win from what I see.

Totally agree.

Except I would have one out of laziness. So the fuck what?

What is this moral high ground about doing your own cleaning. So what? Does it make you a better person?

Good on you if you're good at it or like it or just get it done. seriously good on you.

But what is this never ending judgement about having someone clean?

I would LOVE a cleaner and out there is probably someone who would be very pleased of the job.

Doggyperson · 14/06/2020 13:48

@typewrriter12

What if you tried cleaning yourself, make a rota and clean a room each day ? with the money you save you could treat yourself for what you have accomplished.
What a bloody stupid thing to say. Maybe the OP has enough money to treat herself and have cleaner. I'd have a cleaner if I could afford and I am a cleaner.
Bbq1 · 14/06/2020 13:54

Find a new cleaner. Ours contacted us the day after the announcement was made that you could return to work if you couldn't work from home. She also said she had continued cleaning for clients who wanted it during lockdown.

typewrriter12 · 14/06/2020 16:07

@Doggyperson
Just because you disagree with what i said it does not make it "bloody stupid". Do not judge me.

heartsonacake · 14/06/2020 16:13

[quote typewrriter12]@Doggyperson
Just because you disagree with what i said it does not make it "bloody stupid". Do not judge me.[/quote]
I’m judging you. You want to put cleaners out of work.

typewrriter12 · 15/06/2020 16:56

@heartsonacake ohh fuck off you any excuse for you to sit on your backside and let others clear up after you.

heartsonacake · 15/06/2020 17:00

[quote typewrriter12]@heartsonacake ohh fuck off you any excuse for you to sit on your backside and let others clear up after you.[/quote]
Actually I don’t have a cleaner Confused

But if you’re telling people to get their own cleaners then yes, you’re trying to put people out of work and I will judge you for such a selfish notion that I get the feeling comes from jealousy.

ButOneMistressHere · 15/06/2020 17:01

Who knew having a cleaner or not was such a controversial issue Grin

I am not sure it is actually immoral to hire a cleaner or not. I am also sure cleaning my house does not count among my life's accomplishments Grin

typewrriter12 · 15/06/2020 20:05

@heartsonacake
I work FT my husband does all the cooking and cleaning Gin