More WWYD - Cleaner has damaged property

[PatsyDarrling]

First time poster, long time listener... Sorry this might be a little long.

Been with our cleaner for 6 years. She's excellent, really personable, good price. Couple of hiccups along the way but always sorted them out.

For context we suspect (but can't prove) that within the first few months of starting she chipped a (new) ceramic sink in our kitchen (it had just been redone).

Since she has come back after maternity leave 3 years ago we have had to mention a few times her time keeping (turns up at 10 past but leaves before the hour time). Sometimes it can amount to as much as 30 mins less. However, house has always still been clean so not been as a bit consideration compared to if cleaning was being skipped. I rely on her cleaning weekly due to the hours I work in my role and the pressures we have as a family with one child with additional needs.

My husband is a total introvert and hates a weekly clean (he keeps saying move to fortnightly). My worry in a house of dh, 2 ds and I, is that they "tidy" and I "clean". Fortnightly not an option (he thinks bleach only needs down a loo once a week 🙄). I say that more to give context on why I'm not relying on his view alone thank looking for LTB advice (he's wonderful other ways, just doesn't notice the 'full" house clean).

Current issue... I have literally just discovered a beloved Christmas decoration has been irreparably damaged. Heavy duty statue that a significant proportion has broken off. It could have only happened by being dropped from a height. Accidents happen, but I'm more annoyed that our cleane has not said anything. 99% sure it's happened when cleaner was in (double checking before texting tomorrow).

More a WWYD?? I think because of continuing relationship through COVID, she had a pregnancy loss, maternity leave and then raising small kids, I feel a bit torn as we have had a close relationship. Husband wants to terminate contract if it's her and she's not said. I just felt sad about my family statue.

AIBU if I terminate her contract?

I'm quite surprised at some of these responses - not about the damage but the ones about the time-keeping.

I work a job where I go in and out of peoples homes and I'd rightly be told I was taking the absolute piss if I knocked half an hour off and expected to be paid the same amount.

If she's regularly finishing early she should have the honesty to admit it (and charge less) or ask if there's anything else that can be done to fill the remaining time.

Being self-employed has loads of advantages but I'm not sure they include over-charging your customers and leaving jobs half an hour early every time 😬

Thanks for the comments.

The statue was definitely broken by the cleaner, it had been used (by me) in the morning (tea lights) and my children were already out at school. I noticed the damage before they returned to the house.

The sink does still bug me as it was a significant chip taken out of it caused by it being hit by the metal grills from the cooker being cleaned. I asked that utility room sink was used for this job as our kitchen was just newly installed. Literally damaged the sink 2 weeks after it was finished.

It's not the damage, it's not reporting the damage to me.

My cleaner isn't paid by the job, she's paid by hour (this is her set up) and does ironing/ additional cleaning jobs when the standard cleaning items are done quicker. That's how her business is set up, that's how she positioned it to me. I've never needed the ironing services.

It's given me lots to think about on how to go forward.

Get rid of her. Text her today.