Birthday present for cleaner?

[Greenpanda543]

we have a cleaner fortnightly 3 hours fortnightly. It is a big luxury for us as money is very tight but we both work very long hours and have 2 young kids and we decided the money was worth it to allow us more quality time as a family at weekends. Not that that’s really relevant anyway.

I had a message from my cleaner yesterday saying:
“hello! I just wanted to let all my clients know that it was my birthday at the weekend, and I know that people often want to give me a little something extra for it. Obviously cleaning your house is enough though! I would just ask that it could be left in cash.”

I was pretty shocked by it?! Is this normal?
I don’t get birthday presents from work, or even my friends except for big birthdays! I would expect to give a little something extra as a token gift at Xmas but am I expected to now remember my cleaner’s birthday and save extra for it?! unfortunately I have zero spare cash at all this month, every penny has been carefully allocated for Xmas, and that did allow a small gift for her. It feels so incredibly grabby and now I feel embarrassed for not having anything to leave.

My cleaner would never. I find this really weird..

I'd maybe just ignore it. You shouldn't be embarrassed, she shld! Shocking behaviour.

U don't owe her anything for her birthday ofcourse you don't. I also don't think it's the norm either.

What an absolute cheek! U don't go around saying it was my birthday by the way. Not even hint hint but the cheek to say I'd like cash 😮

I'd be tempted to get a new cleaner unless she is really gd. I mean what's she going to do, say why haven't u given me cash for my birthday.

A small gift for Christmas is fine.

Ignore it, she's trying it on. Also, if she's asking for more money won't she just lose it in tax?

I’m tempted to say “oh I realised you must’ve missed my birthday in November so let me know when you be good to do the free clean”…!
it honestly made me want to get a new cleaner simply to avoid the embarrassment…

Crazy! I have no idea when my cleaner’s birthday is and she would never send a text like that. Super weird. 😳

Maybe why she asked for it in cash?

That’s why she wants it in cash!

I think maybe someone has sent her some extra money via bank transfer etc for her birthday and it has upset the apple cart in terms of universal credit for example so she's trying to find a way of saying just give me the cash instead. My cleaner only takes cash for this reason but she's so good that I turn a blind eye.

So weird! Our cleaner would never do that. We pay her double at Xmas but I do t even know when her birthday is… perhaps she’s had some clients so long they do know and do give pressies???

Eh?! I had a cleaner for years and never once bought her a birthday present. V cheeky of her.

Yeah you can happily ignore that- does she do a good job usually or cut corners? This type of behaviour indicates her character

I would have to simply reply with laughing emojis. What a cheek!!!!

What a CF!

You could always message her in another app to let her know she's been "hacked" - you thought she'd want to know as you're aware she has a few elderly clients who may fall for it if they got the same message.

That's incredibly crass.

I would address it by telling her that you don't give hired help birthday presents, that's for their friends and family to do.

What?! That's so rude! I give my cleaner wine/chocs at Xmas. Never birthday and she would never ask! That's so embarrassing.