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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cleaner's notice

55 replies

Berlioze · 14/09/2023 00:21

Background story: few months ago I saw a post on my Fb neighbourhood group, a local girl (somewhere between 25-30 yo) started her cleaning business. I didn't have a cleaner before, but I've been looking for one and I messaged her. We agreed she would start that week on a certain day. All good.

She arrived late and clearly just finished smoking cigarettes as the smell was rather strong. I'm not a smoker so picked up on it immediately. I wasn't overly concerned though, ultimately that's her choice. She did the clean which was ok, but she could've been more thorough. I offered her a cuppa and biscuits and had a good chat with her about her previous job, new business, her DC and partner. I built up decent rapport with her.

On several occasions after that she again wasn't as attentive as I'd hoped for despite the fact she asked what I'd like her to do and I had a very open chat with her about what things she can/cannot include in a standard clean. She was just cutting corners, eg I'd ask her to wipe surfaces in the bedroom, she'd wipe one unit but not the other one or bedside tables, this sort of thing. It was a bit annoying, but I thought nevermind, still a great help.

She then cancelled her visit once, allegedly had a problem with her car. She lives close enough to walk from her house to mine (3 minutes) and I provide supplies. No, she cancelled regardless.

Two weeks later I get a sudden message from her that she is returning to part time work and won't be able to do the cleaning going forward anymore as she'll be working that morning. She gave 24hr notice.

I must say, I was taken aback by such short notice. I planned to go out with my friend that evening and didn't really enjoy it much because I was thinking about all the cleaning tasks piled up at home which I would've done myself before going out to enjoy my evening. I work long hours and have young DC. Time is scarce and precious to me now and I genuinely was so happy I found her to help me out.

I replied to her sending well wishes but I also said that I'd have appreciated a bit more notice so I can plan my weeks going forward and also find a replacement (which is hard...waiting lists everywhere). She replied with a non-apology apology 'sorry you feel this way, I gave a 24hr notice which is reasonable'. Doh.

YABU - a 24 hr notice is enough if someone works for you fortnightly on a permanent basis
YANBU - she should've informed me sooner as she must have been arranging her return to part-time work for some time.

What reasonable notice would you expect to receive in these circumstances?

OP posts:
sparklefresh · 14/09/2023 06:13

The notice thing is annoying but what can you do?

YABU to feel that cleaning up after yourself ruins a night out.

Original poster
Berlioze · 14/09/2023 07:09

Ok so I gave full background because otherwise MN would ask questions and tell me I drip feed.

I know it was unreasonable not to enjoy my night out but I have generalised anxiety disorder and find undone chores pretty triggering. It is a challenge to fit them back in at short notice to me. I only just took a breathe out when she started and I was so glad to have 4hrs a month to myself to do something nice like go out with a friend, to also help my anxiety. Now I don't have that. Probably why I came here to check if that's a norm amongst self-employed cleaners because if so, I won't bother again.

It clearly isn't the norm and I'm grateful for your thoughts. I may use an agency instead.

I talked about her 'generation' because I see a lot more of the blasé attitude and lack of professionalism amongst young people in it than myself or my friends/colleagues ever had, that's all. It's not meant as a sweeping comment meaning that every person within it is exactly like that. There is objectively a lot more self-centrism, flakiness and poorer work ethic there though, I see it day in day out working with people. I do feel she is an example, and then she acts surprised.

OP posts:
Original poster
Berlioze · 14/09/2023 07:15

And FWIW it was £18 p/h. I'd absolutely love someone charging less and being reliable like one of you on here up the thread! Sorry to hear you've had difficult customers.

OP posts:
Countdown2023 · 14/09/2023 07:19

You have had a very lucky escape that she has gone

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 14/09/2023 07:24

It's shit but she doesn't have to give any notice as she's not an employee. She sounds shit anyway.

gotmychristmasmiracle · 14/09/2023 07:28

She's self employed and can do what she likes, you could have got rid of her within 24hrs.
Yes it's annoying, move on....

EarringsandLipstick · 14/09/2023 07:33

I talked about her 'generation' because I see a lot more of the blasé attitude and lack of professionalism amongst young people in it than myself or my friends/colleagues ever had, that's all. It's not meant as a sweeping comment meaning that every person within it is exactly like that. There is objectively a lot more self-centrism, flakiness and poorer work ethic there though, I see it day in day out working with people. I do feel she is an example, and then she acts surprised.

But it is a sweeping statement! That's exactly what it is.

And of course it's not objective! Where's your evidence? It's the opposite! You are being subjective - as in it's your view, but is not necessarily based on anything more than that.

It's one person's behaviour you need to judge, that's it.

Roselilly36 · 14/09/2023 07:36

YANBU at all. I call women girls too, just a habit, not meant in a patronising way at all. She clearly can’t clean to a high enough standard, unfortunately you get this with a lot of cleaners, that can’t actually clean. That’s why she won’t retain clients and now has returned to a part-time job. If a cleaner keeps letting you down it won’t work. Try another cleaner and explain fully what you want them to do, to save problems in the future. Ideally take on a cleaner that a friend or relative can vouch for.

londonrach · 14/09/2023 07:39

Week notice but tbh she sounds rubbish so you well rid if her.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 14/09/2023 07:44

Honestly? As I was reading this my assumption was that you were going to ask how much notice you should give to terminating her services given how rubbish she has been!

Put the feelers out for another cleaner and hold them to a higher standard than you did this one.

Stroopwaffels · 14/09/2023 07:46

Agree with others that you are well rid of her as she sounds a bit rubbish. But you also say "I offered her a cuppa and biscuits and had a good chat with her about her previous job, new business, her DC and partner. I built up decent rapport with her." This isn't really a professional relationship, you got off on the wrong foot by trying to be her pal rather than a client.

pd339 · 14/09/2023 07:51

I'm fascinated that you couldn't enjoy your evening out because of the cleaning that would need to be done at some point.

Tlolljs · 14/09/2023 07:54

Doesn’t sound like she’s a great loss tbh.
Go through an agency, might cost a bit more per hour but they will be more professional and reliable.

ZenNudist · 14/09/2023 07:56

You are expecting way too much of a casual cash in hand cleaning job. You say contract. What contract did you have? Was it verbal by any chance?

Given her form you wouldn't be surprised if she just left early without doing a proper clean and never came back.

You get all sorts with cleaning. Any idiot can set up, some charging quite a lot and doing a mediocre to terrible job. It's why I've gone back to cleaning myself when my lovely cleaner retired due to ill health.

Companies skin you and pay the actual cleaners min wage. Individuals are expensive untrustworthy and unreliable.

burnoutbabe · 14/09/2023 07:56

I'd not expect much more notice than the weekend before when you normally confirm day/time.

I swapped mine recently, due to lack of attention to detail -like cleaning a kitchen but not wiping down the obvious tea stains on bins. Or doing sinks and not given tapa final wipe so water stains gone. I tried once to tell them but not much improvement next week. So gave them notice.

DinnaeFashYersel · 14/09/2023 07:59

It's like there are some people in this generation (I'm a decade older than her) that one cannot criticise as they think they can do no wrong.

Ageist shite

DinnaeFashYersel · 14/09/2023 08:00

I talked about her 'generation' because I see a lot more of the blasé attitude and lack of professionalism amongst young people in it than myself or my friends/colleagues ever had, that's all. It's not meant as a sweeping comment meaning that every person within it is exactly like that. There is objectively a lot more self-centrism, flakiness and poorer work ethic there though, I see it day in day out working with people. I do feel she is an example, and then she acts surprised

More ageist shite

TerfTalking · 14/09/2023 08:02

I voted YABU not on the 24 hours notice, she does sound a bit rubbish, but honestly your OP sounds so precious.

HerMammy · 14/09/2023 08:07

I planned to go out with my friend that evening and didn't really enjoy it much because I was thinking about all the cleaning tasks piled up at home
Oh you poor love, how upsetting.
All you did was criticise her work and the £18ph, why the upset she's left?
Do your own cleaning; then it'll be perfect and not spoil your nights out.

GabriellaMontez · 14/09/2023 08:08

2 hours, every other week for a few months. Hourly paid. No contract?

You honestly think she should delay the start of a new opportunity to give you more notice?

GabriellaMontez · 14/09/2023 08:16

There is objectively a lot more self-centrism, flakiness and poorer work ethic there though, I see it day in day out working with people. I do feel she is an example, and then she acts surprised.

Interesting comment as your posts are so very self centred.

Also, she didn't act surprised according to your post. You wanted an apology (because its all about you) but she wasn't sorry.

madcatladieshere · 14/09/2023 08:27

I've had many cleaners over the years and in my experience it is better to employ someone who works for a agency. If they cannot come for some reason you are usually offered a replacement cleaner. I also find the relationship that you have with them is more professional

Lemons1571 · 14/09/2023 08:28

She doesn’t sound like she’s actually a cleaner. Sounds more like she was in between employed jobs, needed some cash, and thought she’d casually dust a few peoples sideboards and charge them easy money for it.

You need someone who does cleaning as a job, and actually sees it as a job and a responsibility. Not an easy come easy go casual arrangement.

Original poster
Berlioze · 14/09/2023 10:09

GabriellaMontez · 14/09/2023 08:08

2 hours, every other week for a few months. Hourly paid. No contract?

You honestly think she should delay the start of a new opportunity to give you more notice?

Delay? What are you talking about?

I expected her to let me know a week before she was due to come that she won't be coming at all going forward, not to delay starting her job. That's just courtesy. She did not find out about her job on the day she gave me 24hr notice. She knew in advance and yet she waited till the last minute and then was adamant that was reasonable and proceeded to pin it on me and "how I'm feeling". It really isn't self-centred to expect people to have basic courtesy when you've offered them the same and more 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Berlioze · 14/09/2023 10:10

Lemons1571 · 14/09/2023 08:28

She doesn’t sound like she’s actually a cleaner. Sounds more like she was in between employed jobs, needed some cash, and thought she’d casually dust a few peoples sideboards and charge them easy money for it.

You need someone who does cleaning as a job, and actually sees it as a job and a responsibility. Not an easy come easy go casual arrangement.

I think that's exactly right. Thank you. I will use a professional agency going forward and won't risk someone starting up their business.

OP posts: