Paying Cleaner 52 Weeks Per Year

[roses2]

I have a cleaner who works very hard, hasn't taken a holiday in two years and I pay her every single week even when I go on holiday (she still comes to the house & cleans whilst I am away). To be honest I don't really need cleaning when I am on holiday but she said she relies on the income so I give her extra tasks and she does them. It's 5 hours per week.

Now she has taken a holiday at the same time as me and she wants to send her sister to clean the day I am back from holiday. I've asked to take a break but she says her sister would like the income. I've said my house isn't dirty since I've been away and doesn't need a clean but now I have a guilt trip from her about the money.

I don't really want a clean. I'm happy to honour my arrangement with her to clean every single week but I don't think it's fair on me that I don't need a clean and she's passed on the cleaning to someone else whilst she takes holiday.

Do other people who have cleaners pay them 52 weeks per year? Surely it's normal to take a break a handful of times per year?

My cleaner takes holiday through the year and we just don’t pay for the weeks she doesn’t come. I appreciate she/the sister may need the income but that’s not on you. If you don’t need/want the clean then say no and be clear when the next regular clean would be on her return.

I don't think you have a responsibility for her sister's income or to let someone you don't know clean while your normal cleaner is away.

I agree you should pay for the weeks you are away but she is available to do it.

I only pay for what I need. My partner is self-employed and he would not expect someone to pay him to do unnecessary tasks out of charity. It's not your responsibility, really. Although I do appreciate it can feel like it is if you have a long-standing relationship with someone. Paying her sister is just taking a piss. It's a guilt-free no from me.

Someone self-employed needs to set their rates so that it covers sickness and holidays. So no, you don’t have to pay her for 52 weeks a year and especially if you don’t need that service but you should expect her to put her rates up to reflect that. She needs income for 52 weeks a year but needs to factor that into her rate. Her sister is not your problem.

@roses2 holiday pay - yes. a sister who is a stranger to you, in your home - no!!

I always pay my cleaner every week even during holidays mainly because it feels fair but also because she is great, does extras for us (like dog sitting) and I want to keep her. I also think I have budgeted for a cleaner every week and so to that extent it is planned spend. I don't begrudge it at all but I am well aware that I am not the norm.

I pay my cleaner regardless of holidays and when I’m away I have her do a deep clean of particular areas: clear out all the kitchen cupboards; sort the utility room; clean the crystal/silver or whatever.

id say the day after returning would be a great day to have her help with laundry and ironing but totally understand that having someone else come might be outside your comfort zone - it would mine.

This.

The sister wanting an income isn't on you.

Completely fine not to have the sister come.

You should pay her when you're away though, so she may as well come and clean if she's available.

Just pay her anyway but say you don't need anyone to clean. Or have her sister some and clean or do the windows or something, or strip the beds and put clean bedding on so you come home to a nice clean house and fresh beds.
She's been doing a good job for you and you want to keep a good relationship with her so I think a bit of holiday pay is worth it.

She's not your employee so no need to feel guilty. I would be wary of setting a precedent as you don't want it to look like employment.

I used to pay for the weeks when we were on holiday but not for when she was away . This suited our cleaner who liked the freedom of being away when it suited her. In theory I would have preferred to pay through the year.

Thank you for the kind offer but that's not necessary. See you on X date.

I’d be wary of this, too.

Self employed people usually have the right to send someone else in their place if they are unavailable.

However you also have the right to terminate the contact if you are not happy with that/them.

No. If you don't want her sister to clean then you shouldn't feel pressurised into it. Quite cheeky of her really. And I don't think you need to pay cleaners holiday pay. Ridiculous.

We don't pay when she is on holiday (her choice) and she doesn't come when we are away

I would doubt that if they have access to your house. It would be a security risk.

It's one of the things that determines whether someone is self employed or employed, the right to send someone else competent in their place.

Our cleaner sometimes comes by herself, sometimes with someone else and when she is away the other person comes alone.

I pay my cleaner for what she does.
If I cancelled last minute I would pay her, if I was ill and told her on the day for instance. She's never called in sick so I can't say I've paid her if she's off.... not sure what I would do, I'd probably pay her for one week.
When on holiday I pay her but she still comes. I don't pay if she takes time off like bank hols.

So really, I just pay her for the hours she actually works. I did pay her all through lock down when she didn't come for 3 months but she said I was the only customer who did that.

I would say no to her sister as you don't know her or need her.

No, you just say you don't want this service.

Her guilt trip does not have to be internalised by you

Thanks all! Good to get consensus I'm not being difficult. I'll ask for the sister to cover her on a weekly basis until she's back, just not the week I return from holiday.

I thought you were on holiday the same time as the cleaner hence no cleaner required at all.

Or have I misunderstood?

I wouldn't want a stranger in my house tbh. I might however give my own cleaner holiday pay as a wee treat.

She can then give or split that with her sister or spend on her holiday, up to her.