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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

335 replies

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 12:04

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.

OP posts:
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 13/12/2020 21:27

@StillCoughingandLaughing

Im really not sure why you are having a pop 😳

Because unfortunately that’s how a lot of people on here ‘enjoy’ themselves. I don’t think there was anything wrong with your comments!

Thank you stillcoughing

🎄

GreekOddess · 13/12/2020 21:39

New Years Eve is a completely ordinary boring run of the mill pointless day.

Of course she should work.

Donotlikemyname · 13/12/2020 21:49

*Im really not sure why you are having a pop 😳

Because unfortunately that’s how a lot of people on here ‘enjoy’ themselves. I don’t think there was anything wrong with your comments!*

Does not agreeing with someone mean you are having a 'pop' ?

And just to remind you, you are the one that chose to highlight my comment to point out my error ?

IMO Christmas or New Years eve are not 'normal' working days, in the sense that they are special days that most people would prefer not to work given the option. That's why most people use their leave, or whinge when asked to work them, as opposed to the other 365 (minus bh's) days of the year.

It's completely irrelevant in this case, because its not what the post is about, but to reiterate if a self employed contractor chooses not to work them, that's their choice. Ditto for the person paying for their services.

Branleuse · 13/12/2020 21:54

id have thought NYE she would be busier than ever usually. I think its up to her if she works, but you dont have to pay her two weeks. I was gonna bung my cleaner an extra £20 for xmas. Id rather pay her overtime than give the slot off. She will probably be working other houses and might not even have the day off

PerveenMistry · 13/12/2020 23:05

@StillCoughingandLaughing

Oh, how generous of you. You have no objection to someone paying for a service and expecting to receive it. Have a fucking pineapple.
Thanks.

I do pity the stingy, miserly among you who simply cannot fathom being extra nice once a year to a valued and trusted household contractor. It must be tough going through life with such a pinched little mindset.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 13/12/2020 23:15

@Donotlikemyname

*Im really not sure why you are having a pop 😳

Because unfortunately that’s how a lot of people on here ‘enjoy’ themselves. I don’t think there was anything wrong with your comments!*

Does not agreeing with someone mean you are having a 'pop' ?

And just to remind you, you are the one that chose to highlight my comment to point out my error ?

IMO Christmas or New Years eve are not 'normal' working days, in the sense that they are special days that most people would prefer not to work given the option. That's why most people use their leave, or whinge when asked to work them, as opposed to the other 365 (minus bh's) days of the year.

It's completely irrelevant in this case, because its not what the post is about, but to reiterate if a self employed contractor chooses not to work them, that's their choice. Ditto for the person paying for their services.

No it was the scrooge comments that made me think that you were having a pop

Not the disagreement

Just thought it was a wee bit strong bearing in mind that all i was saying was that all sorts of employers expect their staff to work christmas eve

But thats fine, i agree that christmas eve is a nice day to have off...never disagreed with that

And I’ll be leaving it here

AndcalloffChristmas · 13/12/2020 23:48

Most people work NYE don’t they?

Also, could she not come another day?

Donotlikemyname · 13/12/2020 23:59

I'm sorry if you've took offence, but scrooge comments where meant in light hearted way and directed at some of the more mean spirited posters on here that seem put out that someone might choose not to work those days, not you.

cakewench · 14/12/2020 00:08

I’d be inclined to still have her come and clean as I know what a state our house gets in when we’re all in it over the holidays and I’d personally appreciate it more than usual.

FWIW I don’t have a cleaner Grin

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 14/12/2020 08:03

@Donotlikemyname

I'm sorry if you've took offence, but scrooge comments where meant in light hearted way and directed at some of the more mean spirited posters on here that seem put out that someone might choose not to work those days, not you.
Oh apologies then donotlikemyname

Id just finished watching one of the scrooge films so that probably didnt help

I wasn’t offended...just sad 😩

🎄

StillCoughingandLaughing · 14/12/2020 11:30

I do pity the stingy, miserly among you who simply cannot fathom being extra nice once a year to a valued and trusted household contractor. It must be tough going through life with such a pinched little mindset.

I don’t see anyone objecting to being nice. It was your snide comments about why the family should be doing the cleaning instead and the rather patronising way you said you didn’t object to people having cleaners that made me think I’d walk under buses to avoid you.

Simplyunacceptable · 14/12/2020 11:37

It’s a normal working day (as is Christmas Eve but can understand why you’d want to let her have that day off). If you need her to clean then go for it but it sounds like you could live without it for a couple of weeks to me. You’ll all be home as well which just makes her job a bit awkward.

nitsandwormsdodger · 14/12/2020 11:49

Ask them ?
And obviously bonus payment

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 15:56

@nitsandwormsdodger

Ask them ? And obviously bonus payment
Well done for not reading the thread. You don’t think this might’ve been covered in ELEVEN PAGES?
OP posts:
Branleuse · 14/12/2020 17:15

Apart from the bank holidays, most people have to work the xmas period or take holiday/unpaid. Im sure most of mumsnet dont accuse all those companies of being unkind or unchristmassy, but when its seen as womens work, thats different.

DanceItOut · 14/12/2020 17:38

Whilst I don’t know what it’s like to have a cleaner or be able to afford one and it’s a nice thing to do to give her days off and pay her, as someone in a much worse financial situation more likely to be a cleaner than have one, I don’t think you’re being unreasonable to expect her to work those days. I’ve have to work both before. My husband when he was still here used to even work Christmas Day because his job requires 24/7 call outs. YANBU

Branleuse · 14/12/2020 17:48

There are all sorts of reasons someone needs a cleaner and it doesnt mean they are rich enough to give away free money or that they can just do it themselves

FelicisNox · 14/12/2020 17:51

I don't think YABU but I've ticked that box because of the following: it would be a very kind thing to do and as you've stated, money isn't an issue, you shouldn't be mixing anyway and you will all be there.

Also and almost more important.... Good cleaners are like gold dust so this would be an excellent opportunity to win some brownie points by a show of altruism.

Passenger42 · 14/12/2020 17:56

If those are her contracted working days then she should come in and do her job as normal. They are not bank holidays. She should have statutory leave entitlement and be able to book a leave day if she doesn’t want to work or she takes unpaid leave. If she hasn’t specifically asked not to come in I am surprised your considering paying her not to come in.

sijjy · 14/12/2020 18:00

I am a self employed cleaner. My last working day will be the 23rd and I won't be going back until the 4th January. I also won't get paid from any client over that time. The reason I take this time off is Christmas is a time for families. It's the only time of the year that I can just relax and enjoy spending time with my children. I work through all other school holidays unless we have a holiday booked. So this time of year is family time. ( I usually have a full 2 weeks off but with the first lockdown I didn't work for months. )
Ask your cleaner what she was planning to do. Then you will have your answer. Also I think it's lovely you still pay her. It shows you appreciate what she does. Too many people don't.

busymomtoone · 14/12/2020 18:12

New Years Day is a bank holiday. Presumably you will be offering double pay if you expect her to turn up. Why can’t you simply change the day?!

FitterHappierMoreProductive · 14/12/2020 18:13

Ask her.

joystir59 · 14/12/2020 18:16

I'm a cleaner working in local authority offices and I will work Xmas Eve albeit shorter hours. The offices are shut Nye otherwise we'd work then too.

tigerlilly22 · 14/12/2020 18:20

If it's bothering you could you give her the choice of working either the day before maybe or even come in earlier ?? However NYE is not a bank holiday. Business as usual everwhere else tbf!!

PortalooSunset · 14/12/2020 18:27

Unless the cleaner wants to book it as leave I don't see why they shouldn't work. Mind you, I speak as one who works Christmas Day and NYD as normal as well so may be slightly biased Grin