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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU to install a ring doorbell for our cleaner

47 replies

Itsnotraining · 26/05/2022 10:03

I noticed that our cleaner had left (at least 10 mins, but could have Been more) early last week.

She was also an hour late arriving yesterday. (I didn’t note what time she left, as I had left for work by then, so she could have stayed her allotted 2 hours, but usually the agreement is set times)

WIBU to get a ring doorbell for the purpose to be able to see when she’s arriving/leaving?

I don’t mind if she is doing her 2 hours and whatever time she chooses to come. But just that those 2 hours are done.

Its not a case that there wasn’t anything left to do, as there is always stuff to do (large house)

We do already have a small security camera on the garage. But it’s not very sensitive. I am not planning to spy, just to check she arrives and leaves her hours.

OP posts:

godmum56 · 26/05/2022 10:10

hmmmm I get where you are coming from but if there is always work she could do, maybe a chat about what exactly you would like done on each visit? If you do decide to get a ring doorbell then I think you should tell her that you are getting one....it does seem to me to be a bit of an expensive way to monitor your cleaner though? If you are usually there when she is then why not just keep an eye on her arrival and leaving times yourself?

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/05/2022 10:12

Just ask her.

orwellwasright · 26/05/2022 10:34

If you worked from home would you agree to a spycam being installed so your boss could make sure you were doing your hours?

The problem is that you don't trust your cleaner. I'm sure there are better ways to deal with this than by spying on her (which is what you're doing despite saying you're not).

CoralPaperweight · 26/05/2022 10:40

Do you directly pay your cleaner or is it through an agency? If the former I would speak to your cleaner and ask what is going on, if she needs to change her working patterns or reduce her hours temporarily.

I had this with my cleaner (agency employed) - started arriving a bit late / leaving early, then leaving even earlier saying she would make up following week (never did). I gave her leeway for about 4-6 weeks and was about to speak to the agency when they told me she couldn't manage all her cleaning work (family issues) and offered alternative cleaners

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 26/05/2022 10:46

YANBU, you can get a ring doorbell for any reason you want really.

If you are unhappy with the standard of work by your current cleaner or don't really trust them it may be time to go over expectations or find someone new.

MayorDusty · 26/05/2022 10:50

If you are going to watch her then get an overt camera so she can make the choice to work with surveillance.
Don't be coy about it.

girlmom21 · 26/05/2022 10:57

Is the cleaning you want done not done?
I wouldn't care about someone staying 1 hour 50 minutes if everything I wanted doing was done.

MinnieMountain · 26/05/2022 10:58

Have a chat about expectations first.
Our cleaner is self-employed. We have agreed what she will do and she’s open about the fact that it sometimes takes her less than the initial 2 hours.

Bramshott · 26/05/2022 11:07

I think that way madness lies, unless you feel that the house isn't clean. It would be very easy (and reasonable!) for her to just do things more slowly to string out the 2 hours, whilst resenting you all the time...

Only4timesPerWeek · 26/05/2022 11:13

You can get a Ring camera for any reason, as previous poster said.
But if you don't trust your cleaner, then it's time to get another one.

If they're doing the work you've asked for (& by the way two hours in a big house isn't much time) to a standard you like, I'd stick with them.

Summerwheredidyougo · 26/05/2022 11:24

If you do decide to get one or cameras, let her know that you have. I’m a professional cleaner and a client installed cameras without telling me - so I didn’t go back. Had they informed me I maybe would have stayed but I’m not being spied on without being told!

RockAndOrRoll · 26/05/2022 11:26

I'd talk to her about it but also don't think there is anything coy about a Ring doorbell. The point of them is that they are visible to anyone approaching the house.

Only4timesPerWeek · 26/05/2022 18:10

Summerwheredidyougo · 26/05/2022 11:24

Did you realise the cameras were there? Or were they covert?
I'd do the same as you, I'm a professional cleaner, too and I wouldn't go back.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 26/05/2022 18:13

@Only4timesPerWeek @Summerwheredidyougo

yep same here. If I know I’m being filmed for security, then that’s fine. But secretly film me and I will not be back.

Summerwheredidyougo · 26/05/2022 19:01

Not covert but also not obvious - and they’d never been there before. I just noticed them half way through a clean and freaked out! Dotted around the house in corners.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 26/05/2022 19:06

And people insist that cleaners are stupid ….

allboysherebutme · 26/05/2022 19:58

I do think some people work faster than others, maybe she can do two hours worth in an hour or so, my friend is like this, she's a lot faster than me. X

HangOnToYourself · 26/05/2022 20:06

Is she cleaning everything you have discussed up to a good standard? If so I would.leave it tbh. If not then maybe look for a different cleaner

Jijithecat · 26/05/2022 20:08

If you have an issue with your cleaner then speak to them about it, don't just spy on them. It's a total intrusion of their privacy.
I'm not against CCTV or Ring doorbells but they're meant to be for security purposes not because you don't trust someone to do their job.

IncompleteSenten · 26/05/2022 20:11

Talk to her.
I've noticed you're finishing before your 2 hours. If you find yourself with extra time could you do X, y or z cleaning jobs until your 2 hours are complete, thanks.

Itloggedmeoutagain · 26/05/2022 20:13

Is the house as clean as you want it?
That's what matters, not ten minutes.
If it's not have a word or leave a list

ShirleyPhallus · 26/05/2022 20:14

What I’d do is hide a £10 note somewhere like just under the rug then see if she nicks it.

Obviously I wouldn’t do that and think that covertly filming someone without their permission or knowledge is the same level of sneaky. If you don’t trust her then get someone else but don’t be a prick about it

Oldtiredfedup · 26/05/2022 20:15

I’d talk to her. I’m a professional cleaner and I wouldn’t dream of leaving early.

User3568975431146 · 26/05/2022 20:17

Absolutely totally and completely unreasonable. If you have a problem then speak to her don't put her under surveillance without her permission!! How do you know that she hadn't worked extra on other days, and even if she didn't, you'd do this over 10 minutes!!!

Completely ridiculous

ellebelli · 26/05/2022 20:24

I am also a cleaner and if someone got themselves into such a state over ten minutes, to the point they thought about spying on me, I would not be going back!
I know I clean to a high standard and I also know I am fast, I leave 10mins early if I have finished on occasion.

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