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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:
Rosscameasdoody · 18/04/2023 18:29

Don’t agree with posters arguing that the OP should go by the amount of work done. If the cleaner is paid by the hour then she should work the full time for the hourly rate. Housework is never ending and if she finished what she normally does early, she should have looked at whatever else needed to be done. I would let her know that you’re on to her and that if it happens again she’s gone.

IAmTheWalrus85 · 18/04/2023 18:32

Greysilverbluehair · 18/04/2023 17:25

This is a common problem in my experience.

I had such a gutsful of cleaners taking the piss, I do my own cleaning now using the organised mum method and 'pay' myself £20 an hour (the going rate around here) for a much superior job.

Yep, we’ve had a lot of cleaners over the years and this is incredibly common. We once had one who ran off the second we went out leaving the hoover out and strewn across the floor. 40 minutes is really taking the piss though.

I’ve always been quoted for regular domestic cleaning services by time not job. The best cleaner we ever had would always stay the full amount of time and would always, always find something to do to fill it - cleaning the fridge, hoovering under furniture, folding laundry, dusting hard to reach areas, cleaning the oven, putting a wash on, etc.

WCRoulade · 18/04/2023 18:38

Depends if you pay by the hour or for what she's done - i.e. 2hrs of cleaning Vs hoover downstairs, clean bathrooms etc.

Also if she charges by the hour then 1h20 = 2hrs anyway

AgrathaChristie · 18/04/2023 18:39

gamerchick · 18/04/2023 14:25

Message her you understand if she had an emergency and had to leave early and would she be going back to finish.

This. Give her the chance to put it right.

Atethehalloweenchocs · 18/04/2023 18:47

Get ahead of it - was just reviewing something on the Ring doorbell and see you had to leave early, so have reflected that in the money I have paid you for this week. Hope everything is ok.

daisymoonlight · 18/04/2023 18:52

AgrathaChristie · 18/04/2023 18:39

This. Give her the chance to put it right.

Show quote history

Did you read the update? she lied to the OP and said she hadnt finished early. When OP said she knows due to the Ring doorbell she claimed she got the time muddled up. BS. I wouldnt trust someone who blatantly lies to me to be in my house amongst my things and I doubt many people would be comfortable with that.

WilsonMilson · 18/04/2023 18:57

Thing is, even if you send the message telling her you know she left early and enquiring if everything was ok, the trust is gone. Next time she might realise she can’t leave without you knowing, so will stay 2 hours but spend 40mins having a coffee and reading a magazine and you’d be none the wiser.

Unless she’s the world’s best cleaner, I’d be getting rid.

Odiebay · 18/04/2023 18:58

Sounds like a woman my mum used to work with. She would do it on purpose to her clients so my mum stopped working with her.

DunkingMyDonuts · 18/04/2023 18:59

WilsonMilson · 18/04/2023 18:57

Thing is, even if you send the message telling her you know she left early and enquiring if everything was ok, the trust is gone. Next time she might realise she can’t leave without you knowing, so will stay 2 hours but spend 40mins having a coffee and reading a magazine and you’d be none the wiser.

Unless she’s the world’s best cleaner, I’d be getting rid.

She has

Roselilly36 · 18/04/2023 19:05

I would say, she probably worked double quick time to get the tasks done, had you been there, the cleaner would have asked what else you wanted done. Tbh, if the cleaner is reliable & trustworthy,I would be reluctant to replace. But I would get in touch and say, if you have time, please do xyz etc.

Roselilly36 · 18/04/2023 19:05

X post

Bunnyhair · 18/04/2023 19:07

God I couldn’t give less of a shit as long as the house is clean.

Mosebjadi · 18/04/2023 19:08

My cleaner left 30 mins earlier two weeks in a row (4 hour job). I was annoyed but realised she often stays longer to finish the job (although I pay extra when she does) and she does an amazing job.

I've tried other cleaners because she wanted 4 hours and I was convinced the house could be done in 2/3, but others aren't as efficient or thorough and dont do windows (I have floor to ceiling windows throughout the entire house so honestly I dont mind even. I've decided as long as she does 3 hours I am fine paying for 4.

Up to you and your relationship though

Rudicoolcat · 18/04/2023 19:08

Bluebells1970 · 18/04/2023 14:31

I'd just politely ask if everything was OK as your doorbell notified you that she'd left early? And leave it at that.

This ☝️

Gymnopedie · 18/04/2023 19:08

Scarletthoo2 · 18/04/2023 17:05

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

That was probably the most expensive 40 minute holiday in history!!
Hopefully she'll learn.

neilyoungismyhero · 18/04/2023 19:11

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/04/2023 16:08

I caught her

I really wouldn't want to work for someone with your attitude.

If you're happy with the standard of cleaning, what does it matter ifs she works quickly?

If you have a 9 to 5 office job I think your employer would take a dim view of you shuffling off 30 minutes or so earlier without discussing it.

moveoverye · 18/04/2023 19:12

I think you’ve acted hastily.

In your absence, your house isn't exactly getting very messy or dirty is it? Maybe she just finished all her tasks early and there wasn’t much to do? Everyone deserves a perk now and again. I think you were mean.

moveoverye · 18/04/2023 19:13

neilyoungismyhero · 18/04/2023 19:11

If you have a 9 to 5 office job I think your employer would take a dim view of you shuffling off 30 minutes or so earlier without discussing it.

Show quote history

Probably, but I don’t expect you’d get the sack for it, at least not as a first offence?

DunkingMyDonuts · 18/04/2023 19:13

Mosebjadi · 18/04/2023 19:08

My cleaner left 30 mins earlier two weeks in a row (4 hour job). I was annoyed but realised she often stays longer to finish the job (although I pay extra when she does) and she does an amazing job.

I've tried other cleaners because she wanted 4 hours and I was convinced the house could be done in 2/3, but others aren't as efficient or thorough and dont do windows (I have floor to ceiling windows throughout the entire house so honestly I dont mind even. I've decided as long as she does 3 hours I am fine paying for 4.

Up to you and your relationship though

But that isnt the issue. The issue is she lied and doubledowned when challenged.

Would you be happy having a proven liar in your home?

I sure wouldn't

InFiveMins · 18/04/2023 19:14

You made the right decision. The trust has gone. Hopefully she'll think twice about ripping off her clients in future.

WTFactuallyjusthappened · 18/04/2023 19:15

My cleaner has habitually left early on the days I'm not here (my son has recently told me) and has form for being very shoddy generally. However...I rationalise keeping her on because she does more in 2 hours than I can do (or can be bothered to do) myself. So for that reason alone I overlook stuff. What I do do though is now make sure I give her extra jobs to do ("please deep clean the shower today...please deep clean the fridge today") to make sure she fills the time, as she cuts corners everywhere else. The corner cutting has been going on too long for me to raise it now so it's that or get rid of her and I don't want to start over.

herlightmaterials · 18/04/2023 19:18

You can't trust her on two counts so she shouldn't have access to your home. End of story.

Wishawisha · 18/04/2023 19:18

This is why I don’t have a cleaner anymore. I found eventually all the ones I’d had eventually started doing this and I never knew how to bring it up and found it so awkward… I’d find a reason to cancel, eventually find another one and go through the same cycle again. In the final clean before Christmas the last one we had turned up for something like 50 mins (paid for 4 hours), collected the chocolates I’d left and went..
I probably could have put a stop to it if I actually said something .. but I never managed to .. I am happier now having no cleaner but no awkwardness.

herlightmaterials · 18/04/2023 19:20

This is incredibly common though. I don't know why they can suddenly fly through so fast just because you're not there to know. Twenty minutes faster, yes, but not forty.

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/04/2023 19:21

If she was a good cleaner usually I would think you've been hasty

Also be interesting to know if everything is done

You mention partner. Does he live with you ? Would you notice is all was clean /washed - ie. All finished

Maybe it took her less time as you weren't there

Yes she lied to you rather then admit she left early