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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at cleaner leaving early

53 replies

spacenation · 02/02/2023 09:23

So firstly I realise that having a cleaner is a luxury!
Anyway..our cleaner comes once every 2 weeks for 3 hours. She was recommended by a colleague and is very nice. It's cash in hand and price is reasonable and looking in to it is a bit less than getting someone from a company.
I'm on mat leave at the moment and our cleaner comes while we are in the house as my husband in particular would rather we were in.
The issue is she always leaves before doing the full time. So usually she will do 2 hrs 40 minutes ish. But the last twice she has arrived half an hour late and we've had to leave so she has locked up and on those occasions she did less than 2.5 hours.
I wouldn't mind if everything was done but the standard isn't great and also I always pay her a bit extra so it's a round amount.
Last time I kind of mentioned it a bit asking if she just wanted to do 2 hours as she was running late but she kind of acted like she didn't understand (English isn't her first language) so I left it.
AIBU for being annoyed at her always leaving early when she is paid for 3 hours?

OP posts:
JungleJuice12 · 02/02/2023 09:25

Your well within your rights to only pay her for time worked. She wants to leave early and arrive late then let her wages reflect that.

Optimist1 · 02/02/2023 09:30

Next time she's there, make a mental note of something she's omitted to do, or an additional task that would be in her remit. Then when she's about to leave say something like "Before you go, could you please clean the mirrors in the bathrooms?" or "Since we've still got 20 minutes left, would you clean the windows downstairs, please?" She should get the idea that 3 hours pay is in exchange for 3 hours work.

RudsyFarmer · 02/02/2023 09:32

You’re not being unreasonable. Find someone else.

FuckabethFuckor · 02/02/2023 09:32

I had this issue with cash-in-hand cleaners; it's often a bit opaque whether they're employed by the hour, or by the job.

It's not necessarily the cleaner's fault — more a case of boundaries not being made clear at the outset.

I've switched to using a cleaning agency now, partly for this reason. (Not one of the chains, they're usually rubbish — we have a really good local firm.)

I also discovered that our contents insurance didn't cover us should a casual/cash-in-hand cleaner break or damage anything. Whereas with the company it's all covered by their PLI (and our home contents insurance, actually).

In your situation, I would do two things:

  • Stop paying her extra each time; pay her for the time she is contracted to work. You're basically tipping her.
  • If she works less than the agreed hours, ask why; it might be that she's running out of things to do, rather than pulling a fast one.

You could also have a word with the colleague who recommended her, see if they've had any issues.

Lampzade · 02/02/2023 09:33

I hired a cleaner for five hours every two weeks. The first day she arrived at 9:30 am and left at 1:45. I paid her the full amount but never used her again.

If they charge an hourly amount then they should stay for the time. If they finish earlier they should find something else to do.

butterfliedtwo · 02/02/2023 09:34

Don't be a mug, come on. She leaves early but you're paying her more than her rate each time? Completely taking the piss.

GoodChat · 02/02/2023 09:34

She's not even doing a good job so I'd cut your losses

Lampzade · 02/02/2023 09:37

FuckabethFuckor · 02/02/2023 09:32

I had this issue with cash-in-hand cleaners; it's often a bit opaque whether they're employed by the hour, or by the job.

It's not necessarily the cleaner's fault — more a case of boundaries not being made clear at the outset.

I've switched to using a cleaning agency now, partly for this reason. (Not one of the chains, they're usually rubbish — we have a really good local firm.)

I also discovered that our contents insurance didn't cover us should a casual/cash-in-hand cleaner break or damage anything. Whereas with the company it's all covered by their PLI (and our home contents insurance, actually).

In your situation, I would do two things:

  • Stop paying her extra each time; pay her for the time she is contracted to work. You're basically tipping her.
  • If she works less than the agreed hours, ask why; it might be that she's running out of things to do, rather than pulling a fast one.

You could also have a word with the colleague who recommended her, see if they've had any issues.

That is a very good point about insurance for damage which is why I now use an agency.
My dsis cleaner damaged her glass table and my sister had to bear the cost because she paid her cleaner cash in hand

MrsMikeDrop · 02/02/2023 09:42

I'd reiterate the agreement/expectation, and again suggest 2 hours. If nothing changes, get someone else

MatildaTheCat · 02/02/2023 09:47

If she’s not even cleaning we’ll just move on. Next time you hire someone be absolutely clear that you are paying for the entire time and if they have finished doing the usual work they can do x/y or z ( in my case it would be clean inside the fridge, do some ironing or tackle a bookcase.

There is ALWAYS 3 hours worth of cleaning in a house.

ChristmasKraken · 02/02/2023 09:59

Lampzade · 02/02/2023 09:37

That is a very good point about insurance for damage which is why I now use an agency.
My dsis cleaner damaged her glass table and my sister had to bear the cost because she paid her cleaner cash in hand

Show quote history

Our cleaner is self employed and has taken out her own insurance in case she damages something - so paying someone cash in hand doesn't automatically mean they don't have any insurance. But its something I'd want to check...

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

plumduck · 03/02/2023 04:00

I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them. I'll bet you are, you're taking the piss.

MichelleScarn · 03/02/2023 04:07

Are you making her feel uncomfortable both of you being there when she's working? Do you move room to room with her or clear out of the room she's doing at the time?

LadyJ2023 · 03/02/2023 04:19

Have to say many many self employed do actually have insurance as it doesn't cost a great amount for accident insurance.So bigger company or single person all you have to do is ask about it. Not doing the time and also over paying well tbh your being rather idiotic with that one I'm afraid.

erehj · 03/02/2023 04:29

I would try someone else. She's doing a bad job and leaving early, even when you are in and right at the beginning! It will only get worse from here!

Ask on a local Facebook group or something and you might get a recommendation for a small company.

You can always ask them to come one week for a trial, so they know they won't be kept on if they don't do a good job.

There are loads of cleaners out there - just keep trying people until you find a good one! It's a bit of a pain at the start but worth it when you find someone you trust, who does a good job and doesn't need to be micromanaged.

IAmTheWalrus85 · 03/02/2023 04:51

I have this issue with my cleaner - having previously had an amazing cleaner who would always work exactly to the allotted time and would use her initiative to find jobs to do to fill the extra time. I haven’t said anything but it’s really pissing me off. I would mind less if the cleaning was done well but they rush through it and it’s sloppy.

Thisbastardcomputer · 03/02/2023 04:59

Out of many cleaners I've had, only one did the correct amount of hours and standards didn't drop off. I've given up on cleaners now and do it myself despite having rheumatoid arthritis.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 03/02/2023 05:04

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

I don't understand. Why don't you just charge an honest hourly rate, instead of stating your rate as one thing and then expecting to leave early/get paid more? How very unprofessional!

I don't dispute that cleaning may be q hard job and that cleaners deserve respect, like any other worker, but surely you would get more respect if you just quoted the actual rate that you're willing to work for?

I would never pay a cash in hand cleaner in any case. I prefer people who declare their earnings and pay any relevant taxes.

LostCountAnotherName · 03/02/2023 05:14

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

Why cos it’s the one place you have a teensy bit of power in your life? Why is it wrong of someone to work the full hours if you’re paid for it? Most hourly rated jobs require you to do the full hours set.

twinkletwinkle89 · 03/02/2023 05:16

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

Are you having a laugh? If I'm paying a cleaner 3 hours I expect 3 hours work! That's like me saying to my employer oh I've done half a day but I expect to be paid all day cheers then! It just wouldn't happen

BCxx · 03/02/2023 05:20

I had the same issue. It started off as 5 minutes then just escalated into her coming and going whenever. I usually went out for a good chunk of the time as my toddler has a class during that time but I’d always make sure to be back for her finishing time (purely to check if she was still there)! I would always say that I’d be back before she was finished as well, so if it was me I wouldn’t leave someone’s house unlocked when they’re paying me to still be there but quite often her car would be gone when I got back. My dad met her coming out of Tesco one day with her shopping and she was supposed to still be in my house. There are so many posts on here the same. I don’t know why it’s such an issue with cleaners. I think with her she doesn’t see it as a problem because most people aren’t in so she doesn’t do the full time at anyone’s house but most people don’t know. It got to the stage I would actually dread the day she was coming because I’d have to make sure the house was all tidy, just for her to come and do the most basic clean that I could have just done while tidying. I eventually messaged her not to come back and just blamed the whole cost of living situation but honestly it has been such a relief not giving away money for nothing this week!

BCxx · 03/02/2023 05:24

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

Until I sacked mine this week she would also have thought I was happy as I didn’t say otherwise but was just building up to telling her not to come back for taking the piss with the leaving early thing. People can be annoyed but put up with it (as all the cleaner threads on here show)

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 03/02/2023 05:30

Flyingdodo · 03/02/2023 03:27

Op you shouldn’t hire a cleaner.
ive been in cleaning business for 15 years and I can tell you that you will have never ending trouble finding a cleaner if you think like this.
you know why cleaners always leave early?
because out of every two clients, one will not care at all and happy to pay more for her time as a courtesy. It’s called respect for workers and it’s reason why some people get to keep the same cleaner for 10+ years whilst others need to find a cleaner every year. You need to be generous to cleaners because It’s really hard work with little recognition.
right now, all my clients don’t care at all when I come and leave. I ditched all the clients that cared. I make way more than my hourly rate, my clients are very happy with their clean house and I’m happy to clean for another 10 years for them.

It’s respect to cleaners to allow them to regularly not work the hours you are paying them? If 3 hours of cleaning in one go is too much then they shouldn’t agree to do that. You sounds very disrespectful to your clients.

GraceandMolly · 03/02/2023 05:34

I think your problem here is that the cleaner is not doing a good job.
I pay for the house to be cleaned and ready I could not care less how long a cleaner spends in the house as long as the house is clean when I come back.