To expect change from my cleaner?

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Small backstory - our current cleaner is shielding so we have someone different filling in. They charge £9/hour and we have them 2 hours/week. We paid our previous cleaner via bank transfer but the new one has stipulated that she wants cash. £18 is tricky to cobble together when we're being encouraged to go cashless at the moment.

The first few weeks we had exact money, but since then have been giving £20. First time she bought change with her but not after that. I know I need to woman up and discuss it, but wanted to check first whether IABU!

Or just give her £18. Why should she be expected to carry change especially since you don’t want to?

Also, there’s enough of a hazard of you giving her cash (Covid related reasons) so why wouldn’t you want to minimise that by giving her exact amount and then not receiving £2 back which could be contaminated.

Get a fair whack of coins in, to last several weeks.

YABU. Why should she carry change to give back to you? Give her the £18

Maybe I'm just mean but I'd just deduct the amount owing from previous session... so instead of £18 leave £16. Of course I'd also add a note to confirm this.

Sort it out yourself mate!

It’s up to you to have the right money.

Go to the bank. Just go and get a stack of £2 and £1 coins. That's the only way to resolve this problem without asking your cleaner for £2 back every time.

I had that too, so got £20 changed into coins and left in separate place to use for cleaner.
Now it's £25 so much easier.

YABVU. It’s your job to sort the correct money out, so if you don’t have £18, she shouldn’t be expected to give you change from a £20.

If you’re really that stingy just make sure you have the money exact.

For heavens sake, just deduct it next time! It doesn't need a discussion!

@katscamel

Maybe I'm just mean but I'd just deduct the amount owing from previous session... so instead of £18 leave £16. Of course I'd also add a note to confirm this.

Do this. She is a piss taker and you need to nip this on the bud.

This is one of the stingiest things I've ever read on here. Assuming you're not paying sick pay, holiday or any of the other benefits employees get, you're not even paying her the NMW. And you're annoyed you're not getting £2 back?

Is she doing a good job? I think it's on you. Either have the right money for her or let her keep the extra rather than risk her leaving and having find someone else.

First world problems 😂.

Do you know why she is insisting on cash-in-hand? Could you ask her again if you can pay by bank transfer and explain that it is hard for you to get the right change (none of the banks in my town are currently open. When I last went into Lloyds to make some change they said I would have to have an account with them and that I'd have to pay it into my account and withdraw if and they'd give me change - all for £10 worth of £2) so it's not always easy to get the right change. Her not offering change, or a solution to it (for example, as a PP suggested taking £2 less the next time) is what's a bit cheeky. Would she take a cheque instead?

Either give her the right money or let her keep the change. She’s not a cash register. Why should she carry around change for your convenience?

@MsVestibule - she's paying £9 per hour cash in hand. That is above minimum wage

Ok so seems IABU! I hadn't thought about going to the bank to get a load of change - seems obvious now! What I was thinking was I'd have to get £20 out then go and buy something small to get £18 back, thus putting a cashier at unnecessary risk, but bank solution is much better.

I just wondered whether because she has stipulated cash over bank transfer it put the onus on her, but maybe not.

I think it's unfair calling me stingey. It's sorted through an agency and we pay a monthly fee to them, and they set the prices. The last few weeks we have overpaid and I'd never ask for that back, but going forward I don't want to overpay. She does a pretty good job, couple of niggles but I'm happy with her work.

I would be so embarrassed to ask for £2 change, jesus

That is a very cheap cleaner and I wouldn't be fussing over 2 bloody quid.

I wouldnt clean for less than 10 an hour. Just give her 20

Get £20 from the cash machine and buy a packet of chewing gum

You're the one causing the problem!

£2
🙈🙈

My first thought was that if I could afford a cleaner I don't think I'd be giving the £2 per week extra issue any headspace.

Her rate is low I’d just leave £20

I just round up as I cbb to get exact money, I don’t expect her to leave change