To want my cleaner to work New Year’s Eve?

[Merryoldgoat]

This is obviously a first world problem - I’m not ‘seething’, ‘in a quandary’ or ‘really concerned’. I’m just not sure so asking for opinions.

My cleaner works for us on Thursdays. This year Christmas Eve and NYE are Thursdays.

I’ve already told her I don’t expect her to work Christmas Eve - I will pay her as normal.

Should I give her NYE off too? If I did I’d pay her.

On the one hand we’ll all be home so cleaning won’t be so easy for her, on the other the hand it will need a good going over by then.

The money isn’t an issue - it’s more will I value the clean or will it be more hassle to get the house in a reasonable state to clean beforehand?

YABU - of course you should give her NYE off

YANBU - NYE is a normal day for most so let her come.

Also concerned about the household mixing - normally no one except for DH is here when she cleans - I don’t want to put anyone at risk unnecessarily.

How long does she come for? Could you go out? Commit to staying in one room?

I have worked NYE, even in Scotland where it is a massive deal - if you finish in time for a party (or whatever this year's version of that is) then it's fine. NYD would be a different matter.

Yes give her the day off. And roll up your sleeves and all the family's too and get stuck in. Once a year - you can do it!

'Ave an 'eart, guvna!

YABU in case that wasnt clear!

Has she said she doesn't want to come or are you just worried that expecting her to come is cheeky?
Could you ask her to come on the Wednesday instead?

I’d of expected her to be there Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve unless she wanted to take them unpaid as they’re normal working days. If you don’t want her to come because of mixing then that’s a different issue and you’d need to pay her. Could you not see if she can come a different day? My cleaner comes on a Monday so when it’s a bank holiday she comes on different days.

Does she have a set time? If she comes early in the day
I'd be inclined to have her come if she's not asked for it off.

In the greater scheme I wouldn't pick this hill to die on-good cleaners are worth holding on to so if it turns into a problem I'd compromise-maybe a shorter clean so she can leave earlier?

I always gave cleaners paid holiday (when I had them) for two sessions (weeks) over Christmas. And did the cleaning myself. But I’m a teacher on leave myself then and have no dependent dcs any more so I had the time.

Our cleaner has always had two weeks off over Christmas. Whilst part of me would really like a clean between Christmas and New year (less of an issue this year to be fair!), I like to have two weeks off at Christmas so why shouldn't she.

Could she not come the day before ?

Another one who’d expect a cleaner to work both days. They are not public holidays and I’d want the house nice for the following days! If you’re worried about cv risk, get everyone out for a walk, assuming she wears a mask and hand sanitises on arrival.

You could give her a bit extra, but I would still want her to come. I would make sure she knew I appreciated it though!

I'd ask her - if she wants to come and clean then maybe give her a bit extra. If not then fair enough but I wouldn't pay her as you've already paid her for Christmas Eve but she didn't work.

@Mischance

Yes give her the day off. And roll up your sleeves and all the family's too and get stuck in. Once a year - you can do it!

Right. Be kind.

Why can't the family do the cleaning?

@CrotchBurn

'Ave an 'eart, guvna!

Lol 😂

Could you ask her if she minds doing either Christmas Eve or NYE? Not because you don't want to give her some paid holiday, but because you find the service she provides so indispensable and valuable that you will struggle without her. Maybe offer to give her another paid day off at some point at her discretion? Not everyone minds working Christmas or New Years, and would much rather a day off for their grandsons christening or brothers wedding or to have a spa day for their birthday, or whatever.

Maybe offer her a bonus/over time/unsocial Hours pay?

Ask her what plans she has? I'm assuming shes not actually your employee so it's really not about you 'letting her have the day off'. She's self-employed offering a service and it's up to her business model whether she will be offering that service on NYE or not.

I would not expect my cleaner to have NYE off (unless a late start)*

I would expect to pay them as normal (plus a nice thank-you-happy-new-year-bonus).

I would not want them to work late in the evening if it is something they celebrated heartily. I'd ask if they wanted to change the time to earlier in the day (or a day earlier). If they are happy to work late on - then let them crack on.

*I have never employed a cleaner.

Has she asked for it off? What hours does she work? I would discuss with her what she wants she may prefer to work christmas eve and not new years eve, she may not mind.

on the other the hand it will need a good going over by then.

Is no one in your house able to clean?

Right. Be kind.

*Why can't the family do the cleaning?
*
She's not doing her a favour by cleaning her house, it's quite literally her job. I have to work NYE, as do many people.

It's a working day and I would ask her to work it, as long as you aren't going to be under her feet or leave the place in chaos for her.

I've always worked NYE or booked it as a (precious) leave day.

I tell my cleaner it's entirely up to her whether she works or not, generally she doesn't but she has occasionally as I only live across the road so she just does mine but not her other clients.

Neither Christmas Eve or NYE are bank holidays and I've worked both. I actually like working at Christmas because it means less time stressing at home and a bit of head space from family/partner/kids. I was grateful when younger to be working and not caught up in my Mums Christmas anxiety!