Page 9 | To want my cleaner to work New Year’s Eve?

Merryoldgoat · 2020-12-13T12:04:59+00:00

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.

Dishwashersaurous · 13/12/2020 16:22

What has she said?

Eg lots of cleaners have said they are taking the full two weeks off.

But equally I wouldn’t expect to pay her if she is choosing not to come

GlowingOrb · 13/12/2020 16:26

With the pandemic we are wfh and dd is actually doing school from home as well. When our cleaner comes we stay in our home offices and dd moves to mine (which makes for some fun times when we both have conference calls). She doesn’t clean those rooms and we are physically separated so it’s safer for everyone.

Livelovebehappy · 13/12/2020 16:33

Obviously she should work if you need her. NYE isn’t a bank holiday, anD tbh no-one will be rushing home to get ready for a night out this year. Parties are cancelled and pubs closed.

Othering · 13/12/2020 16:44

@UntamedWisteria

I'll be working on NYE.

It's not a public holiday.

And this year, no-one will be going out either.

Why would anyone expect any different.

Plenty of people will be going out.

MummytoCSJH · 13/12/2020 17:22

Can't understand people asking why you can't do your own cleaning. Err, I expect lots of people with cleaners physically could, but if everyone did that/had time/wanted to cleaners wouldn't have jobs would they? Wtf

tinseltinseleverywhere · 13/12/2020 17:39

@Rainedere

I'm a cleaner working new years eve and getting double my pay. Maybe you could offer that to her?

Wow, is that because you were offered double or did you ask for it?

As lots of people have said, Xmas eve and NYE are normal working days, and unless someone works for a company that is actually closed over the festive period, would either work those days (on standard pay) or take it as annual leave.

OP, if she's willing to work NYE, then I'd let her and give her an Xmas bonus. If she's not willing to, then a little extra the week before will be kind, but you really don't have to pay her for the usual hours she does.

gottakeeponmovin · 13/12/2020 17:41

It's not a BH so no I wouldn't pay her to have the day off

tinseltinseleverywhere · 13/12/2020 17:41

(I should say, though; If she wants ru work but you don't want her to, then you should still pay her as normal)

pjmask · 13/12/2020 17:49

I have only ever met these magnanimous people who pay self employed people when they don't need them in Mumsnet. I swear they don't exist in real life!

I have had many low paid self employed jobs over the years - cleaning, ironing, childminding etc. I have never once been paid voluntarily when I didn't work, unless the customer refused to have me even though I was available. For sure nobody ever paid because they had chosen to give me a break rather than something unavoidable for them, like being on holiday etc.

One time I was childminding and my child had a serious accident and was blue lighted to hospital, parents paid up until the point that they arrived to collect their kids, and from the point I was able to have them again. That has been my experience and what I have seen from other self employed people in similar roles

londonrach · 13/12/2020 17:51

You work christmas eve and new year eve normally unless you book holiday so cant see any difference if you a cleaner.

Donotlikemyname · 13/12/2020 17:51

Christmas Eve and NEw years eve where never normal working days for any of the roles I have held. They probably are for retail workers, people working in nursing, caring and other essential services, but house cleaning isn’t an essential service and no one will die if it doesn’t take place.
If someone is self employed then they get to choose when they work, likewise the op gets to choose whether to tip them a few quid to show appreciation for their good work throughout the year. Entirely up to the individuals concerned, but being kind to people will bring you far more rewards than being a mean spirited arse ever will.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 18:04

@pjmask

I have only ever met these magnanimous people who pay self employed people when they don't need them in Mumsnet. I swear they don't exist in real life!

I have had many low paid self employed jobs over the years - cleaning, ironing, childminding etc. I have never once been paid voluntarily when I didn't work, unless the customer refused to have me even though I was available. For sure nobody ever paid because they had chosen to give me a break rather than something unavoidable for them, like being on holiday etc.

One time I was childminding and my child had a serious accident and was blue lighted to hospital, parents paid up until the point that they arrived to collect their kids, and from the point I was able to have them again. That has been my experience and what I have seen from other self employed people in similar roles

I paid my CM when she couldn’t have my child during the start of lockdown.

I paid my cleaner too.

I appreciate that you might not have met them but they exist - I know my CM’s other parents paid her too.

The way I look at it is ‘I’m being paid, I’ve budgeted for it, it’s an expected cost so I’ll pay it.’

OP posts:

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 18:04

@londonrach

You work christmas eve and new year eve normally unless you book holiday so cant see any difference if you a cleaner.

I don’t. I am given them as additional paid leave.

OP posts:

pjmask · 13/12/2020 18:09

"I paid my CM when she couldn’t have my child during the start of lockdown. I paid my cleaner too. I appreciate that you might not have met them but they exist - I know my CM’s other parents paid her too.
The way I look at it is ‘I’m being paid, I’ve budgeted for it, it’s an expected cost so I’ll pay it"

Where do you live op? If you live somewhere where people are wealthy than maybe that the difference. People have no money here, they cut back wherever they can. If you can afford it then pay. I would have been so grateful to have just one person over the years to offer to pay when they didn't have to, although I always understood why they didn't.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 18:12

@Dishwashersaurous

She is happy to come.

I suppose I’m wondering:

Might it be nice for her to have NYE off?
The 4 of us will likely be home so distancing will be tricky.
The place will be carnage so I’d need to do a fair bit of clearing before she comes.

I’m thinking that I’ll say to her not to come and get her for 5 hours on the 7th to do a big clean after I’ve had a good new year sort out.

OP posts:

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 18:16

@pjmask

I’m in SW London. It’s not a trendy part but it’s near some wealthier bits.

My DH and I probably have slightly above average earnings for our neighbourhood but below for some of our nearby neighbourhoods (Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Kingston).

OP posts:

Sarah24680 · 13/12/2020 18:17

Part of the cringe factor is everyone will be lounging about making mess while she works, no? I think all has been said that can be said...if you can afford it give her day off with pay. If you can't suck it up and make the best of it.

LoveMyKidsAndCats · 13/12/2020 18:20

Xmas eve and new years eve are normal working days in my house. Though tbf I have booked xmas eve off as annual leave this year.

Musicaltheatremum · 13/12/2020 18:23

I'm working 7.30 until 6pm on Christmas Eve...it's a normal working day.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 13/12/2020 18:23

@Sarah24680

Part of the cringe factor is everyone will be lounging about making mess while she works, no? I think all has been said that can be said...if you can afford it give her day off with pay. If you can't suck it up and make the best of it.

Yes - that would be horrible.

I’ve already decided that I’ll tell her not to come.

OP posts:

PerveenMistry · 13/12/2020 18:25

[quote Merryoldgoat]@Dishwashersaurous

She is happy to come.

I suppose I’m wondering:

Might it be nice for her to have NYE off?
The 4 of us will likely be home so distancing will be tricky.
The place will be carnage so I’d need to do a fair bit of clearing before she comes.

I’m thinking that I’ll say to her not to come and get her for 5 hours on the 7th to do a big clean after I’ve had a good new year sort out.[/quote]

That sounds like a good plan.

I paid my dog walker when i began covid-related work from home and didn't need her 3x/week visits. For several months until she closed her business and began a different job.

She had been a lifesaver for me in recent years and I wanted to return that in some small way. I imagine for many people their cleaners are equally valued.

CherryPavlova · 13/12/2020 18:27

Ours will still come. I'll work so can see no reason they wouldn't.

pjmask · 13/12/2020 18:29

I’m in SW London. It’s not a trendy part but it’s near some wealthier bits

Like I said if you can pay, then pay

Here in Cornwall I earned £8 am hour as a cleaner, well aware that many of the families I worked for were on the same money as me. If you earn a lot more than your cleaner then treat her

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 13/12/2020 18:35

Christmas Eve and NEw years eve where never normal working days for any of the roles I have held. They probably are for retail workers, people working in nursing, caring and other essential services

Ive worked in banks and insurance companies and retail

All working on Christmas eve and new years day unless annual leave taken (except retail...no holiday for 6 weeks)

Dh has worked in accountancy offices and again has never had Christmas eve off without taking annual leave

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 13/12/2020 18:36

Oops

And new years eve obviously