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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get rid of my cleaner

209 replies

Lotty456 · 03/03/2021 10:09

I’ve had a self employed cleaner (same person) for about a year now & I’m generally happy with his work but last visit he was on his phone for about half hour. I asked whether calls could be made outside work hours & his response was that sometimes calls are unavoidable as it’s lockdown & childcare is an issue so he needs to take calls, he also said that as he is self employed he may needs to take calls from other potential clients although he will be quick. I don’t know whether I’m over reacting but I feel that he shouldn’t be on his phone when he is supposed to be working (although he doesn’t stop working he just carries on one handed)

OP posts:
tootsytoo · 03/03/2021 10:12

Why not just tell him not to do it again and be honest rather than give them the sack. That would be better

tootsytoo · 03/03/2021 10:13

I see you've voiced it already but then perhaps tell him if he spends a while on the phone then he should stay longer and make up the time? In which case I wouldn't see the issue

Icecreamsoda99 · 03/03/2021 10:13

Is it stopping you from working? Is he taking longer and charging you more?

MuddleMoo · 03/03/2021 10:15

2 minutes fine, 30 minutes then he should probably stay later to make it up.

Woeismethischristmas · 03/03/2021 10:17

I don’t think one handed cleaning is as effective. That said if they’re generally good I’d let it go. If you are the type to seethe I’d let them go as it’ll just annoy you for ages and then you’ll cancel them anyway.

Original poster
Lotty456 · 03/03/2021 10:17

It isn’t really stopping him working, he is still performing to the same standard I just think it’s unprofessional. My neighbour uses him & I asked her & she said he’s always on his phone since lockdown but as he’s self employed & not my employee it’s his prerogative & rude to mention it as we don’t know what reason he needs to be on it. I just thought maybe he could do better if he wasn’t on it.

OP posts:
grapewine · 03/03/2021 10:20

he is still performing to the same standard

Surely if you're satisfied with the level of cleaning, and you must be if he has been doing it for a year, then that should be what's important? I couldn't get too worked up about this.

gamerchick · 03/03/2021 10:24

If he's doing the same standard of cleaning then what's the problem? Cleaning is boring, I often ring one of my chattier friends when I'm doing the housework. Makes the time pass so much quicker.

Sahm101 · 03/03/2021 10:27

If it's to the same standard and he is getting everything done then what is the issue? It's no different than my dh wfh and minding our older dc. It's just that you are there and notice this.

MrsComte · 03/03/2021 10:30

I wouldn't care as long as the same standard of cleaning was being done.

FlyingBurrito · 03/03/2021 10:30

You don't need a reason to stop using a particular cleaner, if you're not happy you're not happy.

The situation you describe would annoy me too. If he's self employed he can't really complain if any client chooses not to use him for any reason.

Why would childcare mean a person needs to be on the phone for long periods regularly anyway - is he remotely home schooling Smile

minipie · 03/03/2021 10:30

I don’t see the issue, unless you’re in the same room as him and it’s disturbing you? Though I move to another room anyway when my cleaner is doing a room, especially at the moment.

I think the one handed thing would bother me a little, surely he could clean better/quicker with two hands. Maybe suggest he gets some cheapy wireless headphones so he can be hands free?

edwinbear · 03/03/2021 10:31

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if the work was still getting done.

BumBurnerBum · 03/03/2021 10:34

Baffled why you would care if the same standard is achieved. Good cleaners are hard to find and he is sorting childcare not chatting to friends.

Gemma2019 · 03/03/2021 10:35

The using the phone while working wouldn't bother me but the one handed thing would. He should use hands free and headphones. If you are otherwise happy then tell him to use headphones - there are a lot of crappy cleaners out there.

Original poster
Lotty456 · 03/03/2021 10:36

I’m usually out when he comes so don’t usually see him working so I’m just assuming that he’s on his phone when I’m not here too. When I mentioned it to him he seemed affronted & implied that as I’m not his employer then I have no reason to question it. It’s just irked me that’s all & now it feels awkward although I’m not usually there. I feel bad to get rid of him as it’s a difficult time but someone else might get more done in the time

OP posts:
Original poster
Lotty456 · 03/03/2021 10:37

He was on phone for about 20 mins one time then second time 30 mins

OP posts:
UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 10:38

Unless it’s disturbing you I can’t actually see the issue?

alsodetoxing · 03/03/2021 10:38

Tell him your concerns and ask him to wear a hands free kit. If you wanted to employ a one handed cleaner you would have.

UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 10:39

Hang on, you’re not even there when he cleans? So it has zero impact on you that he’s on the phone. His standards are the same.

What is the actual problem?

Nameisjustaname · 03/03/2021 10:41

Tell him to use a headset. I'm a good cleaner and I'm always on the phone as its mind numbing Grin one 1 ear if need to listen out.

MiniTheMinx · 03/03/2021 10:44

I don't think you are being unreasonable. Self employed or not, he is in your home, so you get to decide what you will tolerate or accept in your home. Self employed or not he is contracted during that time to work for you cleaning not speaking on his phone. Client calls can be returned later when he's left.

At the very least he should step outside, or stop work temporarily to answer urgent calls, add this time to the overall time he is with you.

I would find another cleaner, one who shows basic respect and consideration towards you when in your home.

Original poster
Lotty456 · 03/03/2021 10:48

The issue I have is that he is being paid to clean not to socialise, most paid jobs do not accept that. Anyway I’m not going to make an issue of it with him now except to ask him to use AirPods.

OP posts:
UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 10:48

Self employed or not he is contracted during that time to work for you cleaning not speaking on his phone.

He is cleaning. He doesn’t stop cleaning.

My postman wears an earpiece and talks constantly on his phone while delivering the post. Should he be sacked?

UhtredRagnarson · 03/03/2021 10:49

@Lotty456

The issue I have is that he is being paid to clean not to socialise, most paid jobs do not accept that. Anyway I’m not going to make an issue of it with him now except to ask him to use AirPods.
But he is cleaning? You said his standard is unaffected.
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