Page 11 | Cleaner left 40 minutes early because I wasn't home

Scarletthoo2 · 2023-04-18T13:23:43+00:00

Our cleaner only did 1 hour and 20 minutes when I pay her for 2 hours. She doesn't realise I have a ring doorbell and majority of the time I'm working from home so I know when she arrives and leaves. However, I'm away for work and she is aware of that. I caught her arriving at 11:33 and leaving at 12:53. I'm obviously really pissed off about it. Do I mention it to her and let her know I can see her or just send her half of the money? She left 40 minutes early.

SmileyClare · 20/04/2023 00:00

@changeme4this It might be a good idea to agree payment per job to negate the resentment over timings? Most things are negotiable!

In the large houses I clean, I’ve agreed to set areas to be cleaned in rotation. Some days I might run over my estimated time, sometimes I won’t. I’m not constantly timing myself.

Studies prove that the best results from workers are achieved when employees feel valued and like their “boss” and are subsequently motivated to please- to go the extra mile in good will.
Of course that can go both ways, you have to feel you’re respected and receiving the service you’re paying for.

changeme4this · 20/04/2023 00:18

SmileyClare · 20/04/2023 00:00

@changeme4this It might be a good idea to agree payment per job to negate the resentment over timings? Most things are negotiable!

In the large houses I clean, I’ve agreed to set areas to be cleaned in rotation. Some days I might run over my estimated time, sometimes I won’t. I’m not constantly timing myself.

Studies prove that the best results from workers are achieved when employees feel valued and like their “boss” and are subsequently motivated to please- to go the extra mile in good will.
Of course that can go both ways, you have to feel you’re respected and receiving the service you’re paying for.

Wise words. Thankyou

Mamanyt · 20/04/2023 01:30

SO...I clicked "See All" on your first post, and changed my opinion, which was, "If the cleaning was done to your standards, let it go." She lied to you, not once, but at least twice. She first said that she left at the normal time, then said that she just messed the times up. Given that, you are justified.

Now, I know several cleaners who say that they can always finish faster when the employers are not there. It's just easier to get into a good, quick work pattern. But they charge by the job, not the hour. That's a different thing altogether. And they have no problem saying, "Well, yes, it was a quick day."

jobling · 20/04/2023 07:38

The timer may also start as she turns up in your drive rather than in your home...
Consider their travel time.
Is there a minimum amount of cleaning time, eg full amount would be due if she's done a good job in quicker time.
Has no one working in an office or at home every skipped half an hour, unlikely!
If she's a good cleaner you should tread carefully, they're hard to find. When you see her next, as her kindly if everything was okay but equally remember no one likes being watched / managed.

daisymoonlight · 20/04/2023 07:47

jobling · 20/04/2023 07:38

The timer may also start as she turns up in your drive rather than in your home...
Consider their travel time.
Is there a minimum amount of cleaning time, eg full amount would be due if she's done a good job in quicker time.
Has no one working in an office or at home every skipped half an hour, unlikely!
If she's a good cleaner you should tread carefully, they're hard to find. When you see her next, as her kindly if everything was okay but equally remember no one likes being watched / managed.

Who takes 40 mins to leave their car and walk up a drive? She also lied to the OP. Good cleaners dont lie, that is a huge red flag for lying about other stuff. She isnt trustworthy so therefore, not a "good cleaner"

NotAnotherBathBomb · 20/04/2023 08:46

You say you're abroad...what's the time difference? Any chance you got an alert and it was an hour earlier where you are?

NotAnotherBathBomb · 20/04/2023 08:47

Scarletthoo2 · 18/04/2023 16:27

So my cleaner has lied. Saying she left at 1:30 when I can see she clearly left at 12:33 on my camera...

12.33 or 12.53?

NotAnotherBathBomb · 20/04/2023 08:48

Scarletthoo2 · 18/04/2023 17:05

She said she got her times mixed up and is very apologetic. Bullshit.

Oh I skimmed the OP's replies but missed this

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:32

Irritateandunreasonable · 18/04/2023 14:27

Wait to see what she’s done first & if she’s good. Could take a shit cleaner 3 hours to do the same. Does she definitely charge by the hour not job? If you’re happy with her service I wouldn’t rock the boat.

if she’s done considerably less pay her accordingly.

OP states she’s a good cleaner.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/04/2023 09:33

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

If the OP is paying by the hour, then the cleaner should either have told her she had finished in less time, or looked to see what else needed doing to fill the time. If you work in a factory and are paid by the hour, if you leave early, your pay is docked. How is this any different ? It’s not a matter of entitlement or putting anyone on the defensive. It’s about honesty and trust.

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:35

LilyAndTheKing · 18/04/2023 14:27

You've assumed that she left early because she thought she'd get away with it. Could be any number of reasons why. The trust has gone so I'd suggest you get a new cleaner. I wouldn't come back to clean for you if you didn't pay the amount I'd asked for.

She would be well advised to get shot of this employer. The bossy disrespect!!

DunkingMyDonuts · 20/04/2023 09:36

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

I think you should get your neck checked by a doc @mustgetoffmn as you need to wind it in.

What an odd post.

I seriously doubt that the cleaner not having 2 hours of work has "seriously impoverished" her and her family 🙄and if it has affected her then it is her own lies after the OP gave her chance to explain that has caused it.

You may as well have just said "be kind" i.e. take whatever crap the cleaner gives and be thankful

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:49

Rosscameasdoody · 20/04/2023 09:33

If the OP is paying by the hour, then the cleaner should either have told her she had finished in less time, or looked to see what else needed doing to fill the time. If you work in a factory and are paid by the hour, if you leave early, your pay is docked. How is this any different ? It’s not a matter of entitlement or putting anyone on the defensive. It’s about honesty and trust.

Show quote history

yes she should meaninglessly clean the toilet with a toothbrush to the dot of the hour?Thats just moralistic . OP says she’s a good cleaner. She sounds efficient and experienced. Anyone can fill their hours meaninglessly but isn’t the quality of the job more important than the time taken? Has OP checked whether she sometimes works over? A well executed task is not focussed on the amount of time it takes. It’s quality not quantity. And does OP pay her an especially generous fee? No info of this kind. Hope cleaner hands in her notice. Good luck with finding the high standard required plus strict time keeper OP.

MelchiorsMistress · 20/04/2023 10:36

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

Yes, the audacity to want the service you’ve booked and paid for. It’s so rude of customers to expect honesty from the people they trust in their home. 🙄

If the cleaner is left with any hardship from losing this job, maybe next time she will think twice about lying to her clients and being workshy.

DunkingMyDonuts · 20/04/2023 11:22

yes she should meaninglessly clean the toilet with a toothbrush to the dot of the hour?

If she is doing this to fill in her time then she should learn to quote better for jobs.

Plus whose house is so sparkling and shiny after it being cleaned for 1 hr and 20 mins that a cleaner would have to stretch out a job by cleaning the toilet with a toothbrush?

Your posts are sounding more and more nonsensical

Blossomtoes · 20/04/2023 12:24

The thing this cleaner got wrong was leaving the house. If she’d made herself a coffee, put her feet up and read a book for 40 minutes OP would have been none the wiser.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/04/2023 12:38

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:49

yes she should meaninglessly clean the toilet with a toothbrush to the dot of the hour?Thats just moralistic . OP says she’s a good cleaner. She sounds efficient and experienced. Anyone can fill their hours meaninglessly but isn’t the quality of the job more important than the time taken? Has OP checked whether she sometimes works over? A well executed task is not focussed on the amount of time it takes. It’s quality not quantity. And does OP pay her an especially generous fee? No info of this kind. Hope cleaner hands in her notice. Good luck with finding the high standard required plus strict time keeper OP.

Show quote history

This is just plain daft, sorry. The cleaner is employed for what, 2 hours ? Are you seriously saying that if she finished her normal duties early, she couldn’t have found something useful to do, to fill the time ? You can’t clean a whole house in 2 hours and there’s always more to do if you look, so definitely no need to clean the loo with a toothbrush !! And whatever the OP is paying is irrelevant, it’s been agreed between them, and she’s entitled to expect high standards in return for payment. It’s a contract and if the contract is for an hourly rate, then the cleaner should have contacted the OP to tell her she had finished early, or used her initiative to find more to do. The fact that she lied when she was challenged would definitely change things for me.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/04/2023 12:43

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:35

She would be well advised to get shot of this employer. The bossy disrespect!!

Show quote history

And more #bekind mentality. If there was a reason she left early, she’d have told the OP. It’s not disrespect, it’s a breach of trust - she wasn’t entitled to the amount asked for because she didn’t put in the time.

Blossomtoes · 20/04/2023 13:17

You can’t clean a whole house in 2 hours

My cleaner managed it.

Rosscameasdoody · 20/04/2023 13:23

Blossomtoes · 20/04/2023 13:17

You can’t clean a whole house in 2 hours

My cleaner managed it.

Using ‘Flash’ I presume !!

Blossomtoes · 20/04/2023 13:31

No idea what she used. All I know is that I paid for two hours and it was sparkling. 🤷‍♀️

Original poster

Scarletthoo2 · 20/04/2023 15:19

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

So guessing you are a walkover in your real life? Happy to pay for a service you haven't received, that person has taken the piss out of you and they've lied to you twice when you have given them the opportunity to come clean? What a completely stupid response

OP posts:

Peapodburgundybouquet · 20/04/2023 16:06

Take heed of your own username @mustgetoffmn.

daisymoonlight · 20/04/2023 16:12

mustgetoffmn · 20/04/2023 09:27

Crikey I can’t believe your audacity to post this in such a self righteous way. Are you her parent/ school teacher? Were you brought up with servants? It sounds as though you’ve never cleaned yourself or you would know that some sessions take longer than others. That sometimes your previous time on a task took longer and therefore didn’t need so long next time. You say she’s a good cleaner so what’s your problem? Anyone might lie if put on the defensive and humiliatingly ticked off in the way you’ve engaged. Are you paying her over the odds? How much money “shortfall” is actually involved? She’s well shot of you I just hope you haven’t seriously impoverished her ( and family? ) by your actions. Oh and get your OCD problem checked by your doc.

What absolute BS. I am cackling at this response. Idiotic