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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cleaner left 40 minutes early because I wasn't home

357 replies

Scarletthoo2 · 18/04/2023 14:23

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.

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 18/04/2023 16:31

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...

Oh dear.... I think you need to get a new cleaner then! She must know you have a ring doorbell and shes still lied about her timings.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/04/2023 16:33

Well tell her you know she left early… or don’t. All this ‘Oh I don’t like confrontation’ stuff means that your post is pointless if you won’t act on advice given.

Namechangethisonetime · 18/04/2023 16:33

fruitbrewhaha · 18/04/2023 15:47

I find it incredibly hard to believe she couldn’t find another 40 mins worth of cleaning. She could have hoovered under the sofa, wiped the skirtings, cleaned out the fridge, oven, windows etc.

100%.

She took advantage. I’d get rid of her personally, if there was a genuine reason why she’s left early, she’d have messaged to explain. I have a local company who send a team of cleaners. Every single time without fail, when we are there, the house is left much cleaner than when we are out. I now try to time my arrival before they leave, or else have dh wfh. Really frustrating, but I’ve found it’s always a better job when I’m there.

PoshHorseyBird · 18/04/2023 16:34

I work for myself as a cleaner. My experience is even if by chance you do finish early you can always find something to do. The fact that she does two hours when you're there but leaves early when on the one occasion you're not there says it all really. You could give benefit of the doubt and maybe just message saying 'Hi X, I noticed on the ring doorbell you left early today, is everything ok? Let me know if theres any problems and if I can help' This way its polite but you're also letting her know you know what time shes arriving and leaving. If something had happened that meant she had to leave early she should have messaged you to tell you.

HarrietStyles · 18/04/2023 16:34

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...

In that case I would transfer her the amount she actually worked. And let her know that you wouldn’t like her services again in the future. I wouldn’t want someone in my home (plus have a key to my home) who I couldn’t trust. Just wait until you are back home before you tell her - if you are abroad and she has a key to your home who knows what she might do!

niugboo · 18/04/2023 16:34

My cleaner does this all the time.

first time I sent this:

”hi. Thanks so much for coming today, saw that you didn’t manage the full two hours. No problem at all, I will knock it off next weeks total. If you don’t have enough jobs to fill the two hours let me know. Have a lovely evening”

anerki10 · 18/04/2023 16:35

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...

Tell her you'll pay her for the 1 hour 20 mins she worked and that you no longer require her services. You can't trust her now. She lied. Get a new cleaner.

JackiePlace · 18/04/2023 16:36

jannier · 18/04/2023 15:49

Hi I see you left early on......I hope that everything is okay. I've adjusted your payment accordingly

This is the right wording to use. No need to mention the doorbell or that you had a "notification".

ASGIRC · 18/04/2023 16:36

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...

Thats easy to disprove.
You can tell her you know for a fact she didnt. And that her lying isnt ok. And that you will only be paying her for 1,5 hours or that her services are no longer required.

Truckinghell · 18/04/2023 16:37

Scarletthoo2 · 18/04/2023 16:21

She never leaves early when I'm there. And it's coincidental she left nearly an hour early when she knows I'm abroad - no reason she just couldn't be bothered

Who amongst hasn't left early when the boss isn't in...

kittykarate · 18/04/2023 16:37

I'm going to ask the obvious question - is your Ring doorbell set to adjust its clock for Daylight savings? Could it be timestamping in UTC rather than BST?

Backtobed · 18/04/2023 16:37

If she's lied I'd send her your proof and pay her only for the time she spent at your house.

Oh and get a new cleaner.

Tiddlywinkly · 18/04/2023 16:38

If you've booked her for 2 hours and she normally takes 2 hours, it's clear she either thought she could get away early unnoticed or an emergency happened. As others have said, I'd say that you saw her leave early and ask if everything is ok first. Give her a chance to explain.

If a cleaner finishes the key jobs early, I give them more ironing (part of the agreed tasks). I pay for the agreed hours/labour.

JackiePlace · 18/04/2023 16:39

p.s. Multiply amount you usually pay her for two hours by 0.67 and that will be the correct amount for one hour 40 minutes.
e.g. if you usally pay 15pounds/hr it would be £30 x 0.67 = £20.10

ASGIRC · 18/04/2023 16:39

kittykarate · 18/04/2023 16:37

I'm going to ask the obvious question - is your Ring doorbell set to adjust its clock for Daylight savings? Could it be timestamping in UTC rather than BST?

Doesnt matter, cause OP saw arrival time and departure time and there was only 1h20 between the 2. Regardless of what time zone it was set to.

MelchiorsMistress · 18/04/2023 16:39

As she’s blatantly lied to you, I’d assume you wouldn’t trust her in your house anymore anyway. I’d get your key back then pay her for the hour and twenty minutes and tell her lazy lying arse to fuck off.

niugboo · 18/04/2023 16:39

We pay cash hence above. If we transferred I would transfer less.

Mimi202020 · 18/04/2023 16:40

Really random, but could it be that there's a time difference as you are abroad?

SavBlancTonight · 18/04/2023 16:41

I think it totally depends on a) how well she cleans usually b) how well she cleaned in this case and c) how reliable and good she is overall?

My cleaners do an amazing job. But some weeks, it's definitely MORE amazing than others. I consider that the cost of hiring someone for a task like this. I would NOT be happy if it went from OK to terrible.

Soakitup37 · 18/04/2023 16:41

ASGIRC · 18/04/2023 16:39

Doesnt matter, cause OP saw arrival time and departure time and there was only 1h20 between the 2. Regardless of what time zone it was set to.

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Is there some chance there’s a crossed line between where op is and she’s looking at the time difference from her house to where she is? Hour difference?

JackiePlace · 18/04/2023 16:41

I also think OP you could just send her the adjusted amount without explanation. If she queries it then you have the evidence (assuming you saved the doorbell footage).

BessieSurtees · 18/04/2023 16:44

So have you actually messaged her and asked why she finished early, has she invoiced you for 2 hours? Has she actually lied to you?

If you’re away surely your house will not need so much doing. She could have found something else to busy herself or she could have just sat with her feet up for the extra 40 minutes and you wouldn’t have known.

Is she usually reliable? Is she thorough? Do you usually make her work 120 minutes exactly? Do you value her? Do you really begrudge her a 40 minute flyer? We all love a flyer or the odd perk.

ThatFraggle · 18/04/2023 16:44

Truckinghell · 18/04/2023 16:37

Who amongst hasn't left early when the boss isn't in...

Show quote history

This sounds like those threads where people say 'everyone steals!'

Actually no. Some people's moral compass keeps them honest.

As they say, character is what you do when no one is watching.

PhillySub · 18/04/2023 16:45

I think that you should inform her that you have a ring doorbell and that her comings and goings can be monitored. I would leave it at that on this occasion.
She has now officially been informed by you that her movements can be tracked.

Jonei · 18/04/2023 16:45

You need to tell her you know when she left.
I wouldn't have her back again after that either. And I wouldn't pay her for the whole time. Just the time she worked.