Page 2 | Self isolated cleaner, WWYD?

BurningRed · 2021-08-21T12:16:25+00:00

Hi MNers, Quick poll please. Cleaner has been self isolated and will miss one cleaning date for our home. Would you pay her still? YABU - Yes YANBU - No Thanks!

Biker47 · 21/08/2021 15:27

All these people saying they pay their cleaners regardless, holidays, sick etc. If you don't mind can you also pay me not to clean your house as well, I mean I'm offering the same services; no cleaning; full price?? Much appreciated, PM me for my paypal address.

anonforamo · 21/08/2021 15:28

While I don't have a cleaner, I was very pleased to hear about the number of my friends who still paid their cleaners during lockdown. This is not wealthy people, just people in situations where they've needed to or wanted to have this extra support. I also think since they don't get sick days or holiday entitlement, it's a nice thing to do, to give them 2-3x a year where they are paid even though not there.

Having said that it's getting complicated with people who are choosing not to get vaccination. I feel conflicted. Would you feel comfortable having a conversation?

AdventuresDownRabbitholes · 21/08/2021 15:36

Do you want to risk her turning up to work anyway in future? Because that's the reality for many self employed people - if you self isolate, you can't pay the rent or put food on the table.

That said, she's somewhat brought this on herself by refusing to be vaccinated. Ask her to make up the hours once she's out of self isolation.

Original poster

BurningRed · 21/08/2021 16:09

@DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo this is exactly what we’ve done…

Paid her through lockdown. Paid her as our cleaning days were on bank holidays and she didn’t work over Christmas but I think in this case, it’s not unreasonable to not pay her as she’s refused to be double jabbed.

Yes, I am in an area where if you’re jabbed, you don’t have to isolate from a close contact.

I feel guilty but also, I do think I’ve been nice!

OP posts:

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 21/08/2021 16:13

@BurningRed have just changed my vote after your dripfeed update.

She refused the vaccine so this is an example of the consequences she will pay.
TBH not only would I not pay her but I would feel hesitant to have her cleaning my house at all.
She has every right to not get the vaccine but there are risks and knock ons associated with that choice.

Conchita0792 · 21/08/2021 16:14

YANBU - She refused to get vaccinated, her isolation is her own fault, hopefully it'll serve as a lesson.

Original poster

BurningRed · 21/08/2021 16:28

Thanks @mumsiedarlingrevolta - completely understand now how people get told they are drip feeding when it’s unintentional….

Genuinely forgot about the vaccine part until a PP mentioned it. Hadn’t put two and two together.

I actually think, given the times I’ve paid her for not working over the last year, regardless of now being vaccinated or not, I shouldn’t pay her.

OP posts:

Merryoldgoat · 21/08/2021 19:11

@Biker47

All these people saying they pay their cleaners regardless, holidays, sick etc. If you don't mind can you also pay me not to clean your house as well, I mean I'm offering the same services; no cleaning; full price?? Much appreciated, PM me for my paypal address.

My cleaner is reliable, trustworthy, has a key to my house, and is an important part of keeping my home running.

I value her and her work and therefore want her to feel happy and well-treated here.

I budget her cost annually so as far as I’m concerned it’s money that’s already ‘gone’.

Yes, I know she’s not an employee but I get paid leave and sickness so don’t see why she shouldn’t too.

hennybeans · 21/08/2021 19:45

I voted to pay her but I changed my vote when I read she chose not to be vaccinated. Her choice, her consequences. I'm assuming there's no medical reason why she's not vaccinated as you didn't mention it. It probably won't be the last time she needs to isolate either.

Essentialironingwater · 21/08/2021 19:48

I don't think you're unreasonable given yh context of not getting a vaccine etc, however good cleaners are like hen's teeth in my experience so I'd probably just swallow it and not tip at Xmas!

Notavegan · 21/08/2021 19:50

Also changing my mind if she's not vaccinated

Waxonwaxoff0 · 21/08/2021 19:53

Plenty of people have only had time to get one jab due to their age! I am only single jabbed and have caught Covid before my second jab so now I have to wait 4 weeks to reschedule my second.

I would pay as it's shit to lose pay due to isolation, it's one of the reasons people don't bother to isolate as they can't afford it.

lawofdistraction · 21/08/2021 19:56

I wouldn't pay her.

She'll soon get vaccinated once she has to keep isolating and losing pay.

AlexaShutUp · 21/08/2021 19:56

I changed my vote too after learning that she had refused the vaccine. It's her choice to decline it, but she shouldn't expect other people to pay for the consequences.

cardibach · 21/08/2021 19:56

I voted YABU but having read @Curiosity101 ‘S post ( I know it’s the first one. 8 do but reactions ok 😉) I now think you shouldn’t pay. It’s in her - u less there’s a good reason she can’t be vaccinated.

cardibach · 21/08/2021 19:57

Gut reactions. I do gut reactions. My butt is not involved.

MinesAPintOfTea · 21/08/2021 19:58

@Biker47

All these people saying they pay their cleaners regardless, holidays, sick etc. If you don't mind can you also pay me not to clean your house as well, I mean I'm offering the same services; no cleaning; full price?? Much appreciated, PM me for my paypal address.

When I had a cleaner I only paid for shifts she could work. When we went on holiday I left a list of “deep clean” talks to be done instead (hoover under beds, clean fridge out etc) so she wasn’t left short a client that week.

Thankfully she made the decision not to accept appointment during lockdowns (as she was not available either: homeschooling) so that one never came up.

HotSauceCommittee · 21/08/2021 20:24

Yes, I would and do. My cleaner (who is now my friend after nearly 7 years of helping me out by cleaning my house every week) is currently on 3 weeks annual leave and I am paying her, because her work for me enables my work. I get holiday and sick pay and I believe she should too.
I also paid her when she was not allowed to come in lockdown because I wanted her to come back to help us when she could.
Do you get sick pay and holiday pay in your job, OP?
Does your cleaner help you to do your job by cleaning your house? It's nice if you can pay her.
I have no idea of my cleaners vaccination status and it's not my business.

Heartofglass12345 · 21/08/2021 22:30

@Curiosity101 I'm not sure why you think she's been pinged and not told to self isolate by test and trace? We are still contacting people to find out if they are double vaccinated and if they aren't, telling them they have to self isolate. It's still a legal requirement.

Original poster

BurningRed · 21/08/2021 22:48

update - another twist to this tale

Cleaner spotted tonight on SM out with girl friends in our local town. In a busy bar.

According to cleaners original message, she won’t be returning until Wednesday this week due to self isolation…

Thoughts?!?

OP posts:

ZZGirl · 21/08/2021 22:54

@BurningRed

update - another twist to this tale

Cleaner spotted tonight on SM out with girl friends in our local town. In a busy bar.

According to cleaners original message, she won’t be returning until Wednesday this week due to self isolation…

Thoughts?!?

I'd be thanking her for her service then dismissing her.

ZZGirl · 21/08/2021 22:55

My reasoning being she's lied.
She's either ignoring covid rules when she's unvaccinated or lying about having close contact

Original poster

BurningRed · 21/08/2021 22:58

I don’t understand why she’d be so stupid.

Our cleaning day is Thursday so it doesn’t affect me but she has clients throughout the week that will surely see her posting being out that would have missed a clean Monday or Tuesday this week?

Bizarre behaviour. She’s so bloody good too - reliable, on time and does a brilliant job.

OP posts:

DifferentHair · 21/08/2021 23:18

Let her go and tell her why

KateTheEighth · 22/08/2021 08:17

Not really reliable if she's lying about self isolating

It seems a bit stupid too. She's self employed so can work when she chooses and take time off when she chooses. Why not say she's having a few days off?

Presumably because the people she cleans for will continue to pay her is she says she's self isolating but not if she's taking some time off. If that is the case she's dishonest too