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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:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 21:52

@gertiesgoldfishgone

Did you read ANY of my posts? You know, the ones where I said I’d pay her regardless, give her a bonus, paid her throughout lockdown etc?

Or did you just read the title and decide I’m a cunt?

OP posts:
HintOfVintagePink · 14/12/2020 21:53

Let her work but give her a bonus/token

HintOfVintagePink · 14/12/2020 21:56

And all those saying “can’t you clean up yourself” etc etc; that attitude undermines how skilful and valuable a good cleaner is. I’m sure most people could do their own legal/tax work or MOT their own car if they, you know, acquired that skill set.

SuperMorg · 14/12/2020 22:02

[quote Merryoldgoat]@gertiesgoldfishgone

Did you read ANY of my posts? You know, the ones where I said I’d pay her regardless, give her a bonus, paid her throughout lockdown etc?

Or did you just read the title and decide I’m a cunt?[/quote]
😂

ShirleyPhallus · 14/12/2020 22:12

@HintOfVintagePink

And all those saying “can’t you clean up yourself” etc etc; that attitude undermines how skilful and valuable a good cleaner is. I’m sure most people could do their own legal/tax work or MOT their own car if they, you know, acquired that skill set.
Indeed. I wonder if they will all be rocking up to their employer and saying “can’t you just file your taxes / scan your own groceries / pull together a business strategy yourself / drive yourself to your destination yourself?”. Why is it only ever cleaning that’s deemed lazy but literally any other service ever is acceptable to pay for?

Ps, I know that the cleaner isn’t employed by OP

gertiesgoldfishgone · 14/12/2020 22:42

You shouldn't need to ask - and if you use such language I certainly wouldn't want to work for you!
Get real, get a life and get your elbow grease going!

sheridanstar · 14/12/2020 22:45

I feel really mean, but if our cleaner doesnt clean, she doesnt get paid (shes paid by the hour)

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 22:52

@gertiesgoldfishgone

You shouldn't need to ask - and if you use such language I certainly wouldn't want to work for you! Get real, get a life and get your elbow grease going!
And if you have such poor comprehension ability, or are so lazy you can’t read my posts I wouldn’t want you to work for me.

The sheer fact you equate my having a cleaner with my elbow grease being in short supply shows what a sanctimonious twit you are.

OP posts:
HmmSureJan · 14/12/2020 22:53

@CrotchBurn

'Ave an 'eart, guvna!
Lol
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 14/12/2020 22:53

@sheridanstar

I feel really mean, but if our cleaner doesnt clean, she doesnt get paid (shes paid by the hour)
It’s not mean - we are all in different situations.

If you treat them fairly and kindly then that’s the main thing.

OP posts:
80sColourfulChristmas · 14/12/2020 23:11

@Antst

Good Lord, some of the comments here! This won't be a popular comment, but British people have a reputation for meanness and pettiness and it's clear why. Bunch of beady-eyed mean people looking for a reason to deny someone else something good because they have tough issues in their own lives. I have never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world.

To the original poster, your question is perfectly reasonable. So many people treat cleaners and nannies like dirt and it's great to hear of someone who is trying to do the right thing.

Good on you for giving her a day off at Christmas (even though you should). I think it would be nice to give her a day off at New Year too.

Yes, as many commenters have said, there are other people who have to work holidays, but why require it if it's not necessary? Sounds like you can afford it and the world won't come to an end if the cleaner gets a bit of a break for a day. Also, I agree with you that it makes no sense to risk infection. The streets and shops are more crowded than usual right now and you can minimize your risk by being kind and careful at the same time.

Good on you.

Say that to Morrison's, Sainsburys & Tesco about all their staff who work Xmas Eve, NY Eve & NY Day!

Neither are official bank holidays!!

AllesAusLiebe · 15/12/2020 00:17

Just another awful thread that seeks to make others feel bad because you don't have to clean up your family's shit.

"Ooh, do I pay the poor proletarian or not?"

Give us a break. This post was designed to inform a bunch of random strangers that you have a cleaner. Well done.

Why don't you have a dialogue with your cleaner rather than resorting to an Internet forum?

HeartvsBrain · 15/12/2020 01:03

I have read all your posts OP, I gave up on the responses a while ago. If I was able to, I would love to be your cleaner, you sound kind, generous,
and very responsible. I am glad that you and your cleaner found each other, if only more employers and employees were like this! Have a lovely Christmas, and hopefully for all of us, a much better New Year x

Lumene · 15/12/2020 01:06

I would offer the option to move it to a different day.

PerveenMistry · 15/12/2020 01:32

"Good Lord, some of the comments here! This won't be a popular comment, but British people have a reputation for meanness and pettiness and it's clear why. Bunch of beady-eyed mean people looking for a reason to deny someone else something good because they have tough issues in their own lives. I have never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world."

Yes. The seething envy is quite noteworthy.

Minxmumma · 15/12/2020 05:43

For what it's worth I think that you are being considerate, practical and reasonable to have thought this through.

You are paying her regardless which in current circumstances is more than most employers.

You are considering the practicalities in terms of the pandemic which is important

And you are weighing up her needs and yours and discussing them with your cleaner.

The rest of the comments are a bit Hmm. Your house, your money, your choices.

lovelemoncurd · 15/12/2020 06:21

My cleaner asked to swap days. I said fine. As long as house getting cleaned once a week so what!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 15/12/2020 07:51

@AllesAusLiebe

Just another awful thread that seeks to make others feel bad because you don't have to clean up your family's shit.

"Ooh, do I pay the poor proletarian or not?"

Give us a break. This post was designed to inform a bunch of random strangers that you have a cleaner. Well done.

Why don't you have a dialogue with your cleaner rather than resorting to an Internet forum?

Another one who didn’t read my fucking posts. Or, if you did you’re another one who can’t understand written English.

I was always going to pay her

She WANTS to come

I wasn’t sure it was the best idea

I was feeling lazy and wasn’t sure I’d want to prep the house

Having a cleaner isn’t ‘special’ and my cleaner is a friend as well as someone who works in my house.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 15/12/2020 07:52

@Lumene

I would offer the option to move it to a different day.
She has no capacity as I’ve said at least 3 times.

She only has space on Thursdays and Fridays.

OP posts:
maddening · 15/12/2020 07:55

Does. She want the day off? She is self employed, if she wants to provide her service to her clients on new years eve that is up to her. I would let her decide.

The lady that provides my cleaning would move the time slot if she wanted to.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 15/12/2020 07:58

@HeartvsBrain

I have read all your posts OP, I gave up on the responses a while ago. If I was able to, I would love to be your cleaner, you sound kind, generous, and very responsible. I am glad that you and your cleaner found each other, if only more employers and employees were like this! Have a lovely Christmas, and hopefully for all of us, a much better New Year x
Thank you @HeartvsBrain

That’s very kind of you. I’ve been really fortunate during the pandemic to find my job unaffected (thus far) as has my husband and both of our employers have been exceptionally understanding with our difficulties having children at home - mine kept a temp on for an extra three months so I wasn’t overwhelmed and my husbands has allowed him fully flexible hours to manage things.

Having thar treatment really makes you think how you can be better to other people.

OP posts:
AllesAusLiebe · 15/12/2020 08:31

*I was always going to pay her

She WANTS to come*

So, I'm still curious as to a) why this is a dilemma and b) why it needs a forum post to help you to navigate through this minefield.

Another burning question I have is what does it involve exactly to 'prep the house', but we've gone far enough I guess. 😂

It doesn't add up. You say that this is a 'friend'. Most people can discuss things with their friends. It's usually the best solution to speak with the individuals concerned.

Biker47 · 15/12/2020 09:01

If I didn't already put holidays in I would be working both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, they are normal working days every year, for a lot of people.

MindyStClaire · 15/12/2020 09:46

Loving your work OP. Grin Talking about cleaners always seems to bring out the best on MN. Gardeners, other trades don't, but cleaning does every time. Woman's work I guess.

(My cleaner isn't coming between Christmas and New year as she'll be away and we'll have our two year old wrecking ball home. We won't be paying her as she isn't willing to come, but she'll get more than an extra week as her Christmas bonus anyway. She does a job that neither of us wants to do, and does it better than us, so we pay her fairly for that. Same as the guy who cuts our grass. I don't get the drama.)

BubblyBarbara · 15/12/2020 09:51

You should at the least get out of the way when your cleaner is there. Go for a family walk or something.