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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay the cleaners

9 replies

Polarbearkeeper · 20/04/2023 16:20

Background - employed a cleaner for the first time, 2 cleaners doing 1 hour work (so paying for 2 hours of cleaning), they have been working for me since October 22. Generally they have been ok but fairly low standard of cleaning, fine as it took the pressure off me and nothing to compare to. Recently noticing standards dropping lower. We have a dog camera which automatically starts monitoring for movement/sound when we are both out. I don’t look at it to see what they’re doing but can see the time they arrive and leave.

For the last 3 weeks they are only staying 45 mins but still charging full amount. I decided we would stop having them now as they’re not doing a great job and now ripping us off.

Today was their last clean, they stayed 35 minutes. They’ve charged me for 45 mins they haven’t worked so AIBU not to pay this week?

I realise I am a total wimp and should have called them out on this but I didn’t want the confrontation, especially as they had a key for the house.

OP posts:
NurseCranesRolodex · 20/04/2023 16:23

Pay them for the exact amount of time they cleaned for, 35 minutes then pay for that. Ask around next time for recommendations.

thaisweetchill · 20/04/2023 16:30

I'd get the lock changed if you can you don't know if they have took a copy of the key.

I'd only pay for the 35 minutes also.

MintChocDip · 20/04/2023 16:43

These cameras are going go catch out a lot of people.

I have experience of this with a dog walker/sitter. We had to be honest with them in the end that we knew they weren't there when they said they were and were only walking them for half the time they were supposed to. It was incredibly awkward and they tried to make up all kinds of excuses, but it was all lies.

Some people will say this is spying, but it absolutely isn't. If you got it specifically to watch your cleaner/sitter, then yes, that would be completely wrong, but these cameras are pretty standard these days and if you automatically get alerts when there's movement, you can very easily, without any spying, work out what's going on.

I would pay for the amount of time they've been there OP and then let them go. I'd be honest why though. People need to start realising that they can't get away with this so easily now.

Shame it's apparently so common.

MintChocDip · 20/04/2023 16:47

Oh and as far as the key goes, just make sure you do it when they're there, so you can ask for the key back directly.

PuffinsRocks · 20/04/2023 16:50

YANBU

Original poster
Polarbearkeeper · 20/04/2023 17:16

Thanks. They used to clean for my dad.. but he stayed at home they cleaned and has poor eyesight so in hindsight not the best recommend-er! He will be disappointed to hear what they’ve been doing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Polarbearkeeper · 20/04/2023 17:17

My anxious brain says this too, especially if I were to raise that they weren’t working the full hour. But wasn’t sure if I was being over the top..

OP posts:
Original poster
Polarbearkeeper · 20/04/2023 17:30

Sorry that was in response to @NurseCranesRolodex and @MintChocDip

OP posts:
Original poster
Polarbearkeeper · 20/04/2023 17:34

MintChocDip · 20/04/2023 16:43

These cameras are going go catch out a lot of people.

I have experience of this with a dog walker/sitter. We had to be honest with them in the end that we knew they weren't there when they said they were and were only walking them for half the time they were supposed to. It was incredibly awkward and they tried to make up all kinds of excuses, but it was all lies.

Some people will say this is spying, but it absolutely isn't. If you got it specifically to watch your cleaner/sitter, then yes, that would be completely wrong, but these cameras are pretty standard these days and if you automatically get alerts when there's movement, you can very easily, without any spying, work out what's going on.

I would pay for the amount of time they've been there OP and then let them go. I'd be honest why though. People need to start realising that they can't get away with this so easily now.

Shame it's apparently so common.

Unbelievable isn’t it. And you trust these people!
Should I change the locks? And should I not pay them anything for today because I’ve essentially overpaid them by 45 minutes already?

OP posts:
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