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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my cleaner John Lewis vouchers?

150 replies

Toomiddleclassforwords · 12/12/2022 21:22

For Christmas?

name changed as I’m likely to be ripped to shreds for this one, but AIBU to give my cleaner some John Lewis vouchers for Christmas or should I give cash?

OP posts:
NoMoreFreesias · 12/12/2022 21:58

JL vouchers are lovely and will encourage herself to hopefully buy a treat for herself. If she needs it for something for pressing, it can be used for bedding or home stuff or kids presents.

But I would only give if we’re talking about a minimum £75 voucher so it doesn’t need to be topped up.

Bonkers comments from people. Have you ever been in a JL or their website? They sell everything, lots of different clothing brands and lots of home basics. Their ANYDAY range is on par with supermarket stuff.

ThisTimeNext · 12/12/2022 22:02

I agree with the snobbery. So cleaners can only shop in Poundland and want cheap over something nice? Ridiculous.
Secondly - it's a gift. A little something extra and designed to show appreciation. Not wages. Put in a card with a nice message to buy herself something nice - it's a nice thing to do.

Of course money is more useful - that's why we all work - but this is a gift. Up to you OP you know your cleaner best.

BCBird · 12/12/2022 22:04

What percentage of the population shop at John Lewis? Not the majority.

carefulcalculator · 12/12/2022 22:05

feistymumma · 12/12/2022 21:57

The snobbery is staggering

Show quote history

I've worked as a cleaner myself. I'm not a fucking snob, I'm just a person with an opinion on JL.

UWhatNow · 12/12/2022 22:07

I would have to drive 40 miles and pay £10 parking to get to our nearest JL (similar with Waitrose). If someone gave me a voucher it would have to be worth the petrol and be at least £100 to afford anything decent in there…

underneaththeash · 12/12/2022 22:08

i always give our cleaners JL vouchers.

thelobsterquadrille · 12/12/2022 22:09

threelittlefigs · 12/12/2022 21:56

What's wrong with John Lewis vouchers?

-You can but almost anything there.
-You can use the voucher at Waitrose.
-There's the option to use online or in store.

I'd go with giving her the JL voucher. Of all the vouchers you could buy someone, JL would be by far the best option, surely?

We have no John Lewis anywhere near here - it's at least two hours to the nearest store.

I don't want to be restricted to one store with a time limit - I'd rather have cash to spend as and when I choose.

I am also self employed and get gifts off clients at Christmas so it has nothing to do with snobbery. I'd have no use for a JL voucher - I'd rather get cash so I can spend it on riding lessons 🤷🏻‍♀️

StillSmallVoice · 12/12/2022 22:10

Mine gets three weeks pay in cash plus a bottle of her favourite gin. She has been with me for ten years and I really value her. She's fantastic.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 12/12/2022 22:10

Cash. I don’t understand why anybody would ever give vouchers as all you’re doing is restricting where the recipient can actually buy their gift from.

ThinWomansBrain · 12/12/2022 22:11

You can use john lewis vouchers in waitrose, so if you'd really prefer not to give cash (assuming you have a waitrose near you)

johnlewisgiftcard.com/JohnLewisWaitrose/ByEmail/JohnLewisWaitrose/TermsAndConditions

Upwiththelark76 · 12/12/2022 22:11

Cash !

AnotherEmma · 12/12/2022 22:11

I'm not a snob who thinks all cleaners don't (or shouldn't) shop in John Lewis, but realistically if someone is short of money then they would probably not choose to shop there, and even if they're not short of money, I still think it's better to give a gift you've chosen or just give cash so they can buy whatever they want. I think of it as a Christmas bonus rather than a gift - I'd rather have a bonus than a gift from my employer!

SarahAndQuack · 12/12/2022 22:12

IMO it depends on what you know of her (plus what people have already said about whether there's a local JL/Waitrose). If you know s/he's likely to enjoy it, crack on; if you aren't sure but think they might, I'd probably also give them. If you know they're very no-nonsense and won't fancy it, it'd be inappropriate.

I agree with PP that it's a gift, not a cast-iron order. I wouldn't over think. Unless you are massively underpaying it, a Christmas gift is a nice thing to have, not a supplement to a wage, and IMO it's good to have an excuse to buy a small treat.

SarahAndQuack · 12/12/2022 22:13

AnotherEmma · 12/12/2022 22:11

I'm not a snob who thinks all cleaners don't (or shouldn't) shop in John Lewis, but realistically if someone is short of money then they would probably not choose to shop there, and even if they're not short of money, I still think it's better to give a gift you've chosen or just give cash so they can buy whatever they want. I think of it as a Christmas bonus rather than a gift - I'd rather have a bonus than a gift from my employer!

I do get where you're coming from, but isn't a bonus taxable whereas a gift isn't? I could be wrong.

AnotherEmma · 12/12/2022 22:13

I also find it funny that people are saying that you can also spend JL vouchers in Waitrose... yes but Waitrose is an expensive supermarket and might not be the most convenient to get to, so why dictate where she does her food shopping?!

AnotherEmma · 12/12/2022 22:15

SarahAndQuack · 12/12/2022 22:13

I do get where you're coming from, but isn't a bonus taxable whereas a gift isn't? I could be wrong.

Show quote history

Yes you're right. I'd still prefer a bonus though. I am not the best gift recipient; I always prefer to choose things myself Blush

SunshineLoving · 12/12/2022 22:15

Cash would be much better. Unless the cleaner has talked about how much they love John Lewis, I would go for cash.

JackieDaws · 12/12/2022 22:15

SO224350 · 12/12/2022 21:35

My uncle gives his cleaner a John Lewis voucher at Christmas. She loves it as she can't afford to shop there and treats herself to something nice, like a pretty cup and saucer or a scarf etc.

Lmao so he basically gives her a voucher for the cheapest thing in JL.

"Treat yourself to something nice, eh"

DaisyChristina · 12/12/2022 22:15

I would prefer cash.

I was given JL vouchers, my BIL bought them from me!

listsandbudgets · 12/12/2022 22:16

Cash.

Where is your nearest JL and can she drive? Our nearest is 2 long bus rides away. I know she could shop online but not the same.

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 12/12/2022 22:17

I'm giving cash this year. If they want to treat themselves great. If they need to use it for the food shop or to put on the gas prepayment meter, also great.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 12/12/2022 22:18

Assuming it's going to be at least £100, same as the rest of the household team, gardener. Car wash, window cleaner etc I still think cash would be preferable so they can choose. My hairdresser is opposite Waitrose and I gave her a voucher so she can eat for free for ages when she grabs her free coffees in the morning. Or spend it all on gin, it's her choice.

Original poster
Toomiddleclassforwords · 12/12/2022 22:21

Wow! Seem to have hit a few nerves. Yes there of course we live near a John Lewis. And a Waitrose. I like a JL voucher so I can spoil myself buying nice food (or my favourite gin) in Waitrose… I get that it’s not the cheapest place to shop, but I thought a voucher might be a nice treat - cash just gets swallowed up IME .

Personal gifts are not an option as they come while I’m at work and I hardly know them. I do however really appreciate them and the job they do!

I will however go with the consensus. Cash it is.

OP posts:
MissAmbrosia · 12/12/2022 22:21

Cash always. Not for me to dictate how she wants to spend her money. I do also write a card to say how much we appreciate what she does. Where I live (abroad) we have to pay for such services using pre-paid "cheques", so there is a set hourly rate and tax/insurance is paid.

AnotherEmma · 12/12/2022 22:21

"Assuming it's going to be at least £100, same as the rest of the household team, gardener. Car wash, window cleaner etc"

Eh?!

At least £100? Each? For 4+ people?

How the other half live, eh. Meanwhile, I spent most of my work day requesting fuel vouchers for people. (And I have a cleaner, I don't give her £100 though! If you have £400+ to spare at Christmas, give it to the food and/or fuel bank!)