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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

New lockdown- do I pay cleaner?

166 replies

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 22:40

I’ve had my cleaner since the summer. Best cleaner I’ve ever had, and she really makes a difference to my well-being. Although it is still allowed in the rules, she
texted me this evening saying that she wouldn’t be coming for the next few weeks because she doesn’t feel safe using public transport and mixing in different households etc, and with schools closed she has her children at home (her youngest is 14 so not small children).

The question is do I need to continue to pay her for the weeks she doesn’t come? I’m thinking that she might be expecting me to offer, and she is such a good cleaner I don’t want to lose her. Plus she’s a lovely person and I don’t want to be an arsehole/ put her in a difficult spot. On the other hand it is her choice not to come to work, and it is a fair amount of money for a service I’m not receiving. My DP says there’s no need to pay her and I shouldn’t , but I’m not sure he is right. So:

YABU - no need to pay the cleaner during lockdown.

YANBU - yes you should pay the cleaner.

OP posts:

Ariela · 04/01/2021 23:05

She's saving on paying for a bus to you, on travel time etc, does she use your cleaning materials? Obviously taking that into account, I'd personally offer a smaller amount that's affordable bearing in mind if she's been self employed for a while she'll be gaining some on the self employed scheme.

JulesPinkTutu · 04/01/2021 23:06

I think, that if you want to retain her services, and you are able to, pay her.
If you can’t afford to, and you’re not bothered don’t.
However if she finds new employment, and doesn’t return as your cleaner, what do you do then ?

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:07

@PTW1234

Is she self employed?

Yes

OP posts:

JulesPinkTutu · 04/01/2021 23:07

So it’s like insurance, you pay and take a chance.

But we aware, she may not return, or simply retain her services, and then you don’t have the worry

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:08

@SoddingWeddings

Well, she cancelled, not you. Presumably she's also self employed, and can claim against her SE status for furlough / loss of earnings?

This is a good point. Can she do this if she chooses not to work?

OP posts:

BackforGood · 04/01/2021 23:08

In your case, I'd say no.
She is able to work and is choosing not to.

That is very different from back in March - June/July, when cleaners weren't allowed to work. Then I paid my cleaner.

I also think the fact she's only been with you 4 months means you don't have a long standing relationship or contract with her. If she'd been coming to you for 6 years I might have voted differently.

JulesPinkTutu · 04/01/2021 23:09

She might just need to find new clients, if you don’t retain her services, I’m sure I would in her position.

Butchyrestingface · 04/01/2021 23:09

I'm self-employed (albeit not as a cleaner). I would not expect to be paid for a service I'm not providing, especially if she is (presumably?) eligible for furlough.

Itsnotlikethiswithotherpeople · 04/01/2021 23:10

I think it’s great where people pay self employed people who can’t come to work. But I don’t know anyone in real life that does. It’s a very Mumsnet thing.

Ibizafun · 04/01/2021 23:10

I paid my cleaner full whack for not coming during the last lockdown and at 15 hrs a week it was a lot of money. I got no loyalty from her in return when it came to the holidays, she tried to give my day to someone who hadn’t paid her through lockdown!
Silly lady as I won’t be paying her now. If she leaves she leaves!

JulesPinkTutu · 04/01/2021 23:10

Ah , please ignore my posts, I see she is choosing not to continue.

Fatladyslim · 04/01/2021 23:10

Oh goodie, another set of new threads debating whether to be a decent human being or not.

If you want to keep your spot and your cleaner, offer the money or at least SOME money! If not, don't and look for someone else.

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:10

@JulesPinkTutu

I think, that if you want to retain her services, and you are able to, pay her. If you can’t afford to, and you’re not bothered don’t. However if she finds new employment, and doesn’t return as your cleaner, what do you do then ?

This is what I’m worried about. On the other hand in her message she said she anticipated being off for 3/4 weeks. If I pay her maybe she will prefer to stay off the whole lockdown which will be at least 6 weeks maybe more 😫

OP posts:

Bookworming · 04/01/2021 23:20

Paid mine through all lockdowns. My salary (thankfully) hasn't changed, so I don't feel her should.

Thedarknightsaredrawingin · 04/01/2021 23:22

I would compromise and ask if she would prefer to continue working at a time you are all out of the house? Given she can work and is a not I’m sure she has considered the financial impact.

Persephonegoddess · 04/01/2021 23:22

We paid a reasonable retainer of 4 weeks money last time and when she cane back she did the first week free, this time she stopped when tire 4 happened so I paid one week where she didn't come and now we are leaving it till it settles down. If tie hours are more than 10% of her working week then pay 50% otherwise do a one off retainer as this situation may also be impacting you financially

EarPhones · 04/01/2021 23:22

No, I wouldn't pay and probably find another cleaner. Who knows how long this will go on for. She could have also provided a substitute and sub contract the work if she is keen to keep you as a customer.

Beautiful3 · 04/01/2021 23:23

If you do pay her, she ll be comfortable enough to take the whole 6 weeks off. Possibly more. I wouldnt pay her. I'm sure after a few weeks, she ll say shes ready to return!

Redglitter · 04/01/2021 23:26

If she's deciding to stop coming to you then I wouldn't be paying her. It would be different if you were cancelling her. She can't realistically expect people to pay her when they're not getting the service.

Biker47 · 04/01/2021 23:27

Fuck no, they can work, and are choosing not to.

Ideasplease322 · 04/01/2021 23:29

I paid my newish cleaner all through the last lockdown. She came back for one week then left for a different job. I paid her for more weeks that she didn’t clean than weeks that she did clean.

Was left feeling like a bit of a prat.

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:32

@Thedarknightsaredrawingin thing is I’m usually out of the house when she comes. Although given its lockdown I guess it’s more tricky- but I could go to the playground/ walk or something, but I feel like this isn’t her issue..

OP posts:

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:32

@Ideasplease322

I paid my newish cleaner all through the last lockdown. She came back for one week then left for a different job. I paid her for more weeks that she didn’t clean than weeks that she did clean.

Was left feeling like a bit of a prat.

😲😲

OP posts:

Original poster

Bizawit · 04/01/2021 23:34

@Persephonegoddess how did you approach the subject of the retainer? Did you just say, “I’ll pay you x as a retainer? I’m just worried about coming across as rude. I think I’m way too British and awkward for this kind of negotiation 🙈

OP posts:

IwantToDatePicard · 04/01/2021 23:34

I think it's unrealistic to decide to take 3/4 weeks off work and still expect full pay.

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